 If It's March, Spring Isn't Far Away!
Boat registrations are good for three years, but they expire on March 1. Your boat is due for renewal if it has a red decal that says “EXPIRES MARCH 1 2008” on it (or any color decal displaying a year previous to 2008). You are not required to renew your registration by March 1, but you do need to display valid decals in order to operate legally. So make checking your decals part of your planning for the boating season… Spring is not far away!
New Legislation Would Permit Towing at Slow Speeds Among Other Changes
Senate Bill 271 was introduced to the Senate Environment and Natural Resources committee on January 10, 2008. The bill, if passed, will change 5 statutes and make some technical changes to other boating laws. State Senator Larry Mumper (R-Marion) is the sponsor. The bill addresses several boating issues that the ODNR Division of Watercraft brought to Senator Mumper’s attention, he said in sponsor testimony. “I see this bill as a common-sense modernization of our laws and do not anticipate any controversy or opposition.” The bill, drafted in close coordination with the Division of Watercraft, would mean the following if adopted:
- Create a “no wake" zone within 100 feet of a law enforcement or public service boat that is stationary and displaying a flashing light.
- Allow for slow towing in some "no wake" zones to improve safety for people learning water sports.
- Include Type V (specialty) life jackets among the types acceptable for children to wear .
- Allow for the transfer of electronic titles for outboard motors. (Electronic transfer of titles for boats has been in place since 1993.)
“Enactment of the legislation would enable the Division of Watercraft to better carry out its mission of boating safety, education and law enforcement on Ohio’s waters,” says Division of Watercraft Chief Pamela Dillon, who provided testimony in support of this bill on January 30. The Senate Environment & Natural Resources Committee passed the bill unanimously on February 6. For more information you can access the bill and bill analysis here.
The City of Columbus wants to remove a lowhead dam near 5th Avenue on the Olentangy River, which would give boaters an unimpeded route from the University District to Downtown. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is recommending removing the dam to improve water quality. Aside from being a hazard to boaters, lowhead dams cause sediment to build up and can reduce the oxygen level in the water. » read more
The Ohio Clean Marinas Program welcomed 11 newly certified Clean Marinas in January. The program is a proactive partnership designed to encourage marinas and boaters to use simple, innovative solutions to keep Ohio’s coastal and inland waterways clean. Since 2005, 36 Lake Erie marinas have become certified through the Ohio Clean Marinas Program. » read more
Safe Boating Awards Handed Out at Cleveland Expo
The Lake Erie Safe Boating Council presented its annual Boater of the Year and Sima group awards at the Cleveland Boat & Waterfront Lifestyle Expo on Wednesday, January 16. Two Boater of the Year awards were given out, one to Joe Vanecek of Independence and one to Ken Gray of North Royalton. The pair were honored for their work during last summer’s North Coast Harbor Boating & Fishing Fest, during which they both took vacation time to help set up and run the event. John Sima presented a group award, given annually to an organization for outstanding work in youth education, to the North Coast Black Bass Anglers Association. Vice President Bob Davis accepted the award on behalf of the group, which holds monthly summer fishing tournaments and is one of the few predominantly African-American bass fishing associations in the country.
Situated along the historic Maumee River, Mary Jane Thurston State Park offers a variety of day-use and overnight activities. Improvements to the boating ramp there allows better access to the river. » read more |