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June 6, 2006
ODNR ISSUES WARNING TO BUYERS OF USED BOATS
Ohioans Should Avoid Boats Damaged By Gulf Coast Hurricanes
 COLUMBUS, OH - Ohioans considering the purchase of a used boat are advised to look for hidden or undisclosed damage, especially in a boat from the Florida or Gulf Coast region, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR).
The Boat Owners Association of the United States estimates damage to recreational watercraft was extensive throughout the Gulf Coast region in 2005 and exceeded more than $650 million from Hurricane Katrina alone. Many of those damaged boats have now found their way onto the resale market as “nearly new” or used craft.
“Sadly, unethical people are everywhere, even in times of disaster,” said Rick Barrera, registration and titling manager of the ODNR Division of Watercraft and chairman of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Numbering and Titling Committee. “Used boat buyers should take precautions to protect themselves from those who would profit from hurricane-damaged watercraft.”
NASBLA is joined by ODNR and other state watercraft agencies nationwide in advising potential boat buyers to first check out the full history of any used vessel they consider for purchase. Conducting business only with reputable dealers and seeking the services of a certified boat surveyor before buying any used watercraft is always recommended.
Of the states that require titling, including Ohio, fewer than 10 states require titles of boats and other watercraft that have been designated for salvage. Consumers and boat registration personnel can access the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s database of watercraft affected by last year’s hurricanes at www.nicb.org .
“If a deal on a used boat sounds too good to be true, most times it is,” Barrera said. “And that likely means additional problems for some boat buyers.”
He urges potential buyers to take a few extra steps to make sure their purchase is legitimate, has been properly inspected, and can be properly titled and registered in Ohio or other state of permanent residence.
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