Winning Awards

In September, the Ohio Division of Watercraft received two awards at the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) annual conference, held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

The Horizon Award was received from the National Safe Boating Council for hosting two Essential Close Quarter Boat Control instructor workshops that trained more than 30 new marine patrol and watercraft officers in the Essential Close Quarter Boat Control course. The President’s Award from NASBLA was presented to the Engineering, Reporting, and Analysis Committee (ERAC) for its work toward achieving NASBLA objectives and goals. Division of Watercraft data analyst, Tammy Terry serves as chair of this committee, which analyzes boating safety data and reporting protocols.

Also in September, the Division was presented the Marinas and Harbors Award by the States Organization for Boating Access (SOBA) for efforts leading to the design and construction of the new marina on Middle Bass Island in Lake Erie's western basin. Recognition was achieved for the scope of facility design and complexity utilizing effective engineering principles, innovative designs, and use of updated safety and accessibility standards. This resulted in an outlook for reduced facility maintenance and an extended boating use life span.

SOBA as well presented the Division with the State Boating Access Program Excellence Award for its management of the Cooperative Boating Facility Grant Program. Since being established in 1967, the grant has provided over $58 million in boater funding from the Waterways Safety Fund for over 200 boating access projects statewide. The Waterways Safety Fund comprises a share of the state motor fuel tax, boat registration and title fees, and funding from the U.S. Coast Guard.