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Chief’s Message
With the close of 2011, I want to take a moment to thank all Division of Watercraft employees for their continued commitment to providing Ohio's boaters with quality customer service and programs. From the front-desk staff providing registrations, to the officers on the water, to the support staff and management behind the scenes, the Division continues to shine as a result of everyone's team efforts. Looking forward to 2012, we can expect additional challenges -- and opportunities -- in the year ahead.
With a record number of more than 426,000 registered boats in 2011, Ohio continues to rank 9th in the country with regard to registered vessels. In addition to a wide variety of beautiful boating venues that offer diverse boating opportunities, Ohio also boasts a spectacular group of employees and volunteers who work with private instructors and individuals to teach boaters the necessary skills to stay safe on the water. The Division will continue to focus its efforts in the coming year on promoting education, the importance of wearing a life jacket, and staying sober while on the water.
The Division will ensure that our watercraft officers, who have dedicated themselves to serving Ohio's boating public, are thoroughly trained and adequately prepared to enforce state boating laws, investigate boating accidents, and participate in emergency response and evacuation efforts when requested. They also will assist with homeland security duties, all in order to provide a safe and enjoyable boating experience for all. Additionally, we will continue to partner with federal, state, and local agencies to augment officer presence and effectiveness on Ohio waterways.
The Division will turn its focus inward in the coming year to consider improvements to our management practices. To ensure that our services to the public remain at the highest level of quality, we also will examine closely areas within the Division to determine what needs attention and focus our efforts on continuous improvement.
Finally, we will continue to explore innovative ways to maintain sufficient staffing levels so that we can continue to ensure the quality customer service, education, and conscientious management that the boaters of Ohio have come to expect from the Division of Watercraft.
Sincerely,
Rodger M. Norcross, Chief
ODNR Division of Watercraft |
Areas of Emphasis
Customer and Stakeholder Relations
Fully implement the Watercraft Information System (WIS) enhancements to provide agents statewide with access to a web-based registration system.
Update the Division of Watercraft website to improve user access to boating information.
Boating Safety
Offer standardized power boating skill development opportunities for the boating public.
Reduce alcohol- and drug-involved accidents on state waterways by bolstering education efforts through expansion of the "Get On Board With A Sober Boater" campaign and through targeted enforcement such as "Operation Dry Water."
Waterway Management and Facilities
Develop additional amenities and enhancements for seasonal and transient boaters at Middle Bass Island.
Begin the first phases of the development of a marina at Caesar Creek State Park.
Complete the development and designation of the Mahoning River and Mohican River water trails.
Resource Protection
Improve public awareness and support for water quality improvement efforts on Ohio waterways.
Make necessary preparations to pursue the establishment of a federal No-Discharge Zone on the Ohio waters of Lake Erie.
Utilize a variety of public outreach programs to encourage support for the conservation of Ohio's wild, scenic, and recreational rivers.
Regulatory Stewardship
Update and simplify outboard motor and boat titling regulations.
Identify and confirm marked regulatory zones on navigable streams and rivers around Ohio to ensure consistent enforcement and compliance.
Organizational Improvement
Provide opportunities for watercraft officers to receive the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators training series including courses in Tactical Operations, Boating Under the Influence, and Accident Investigations.
Research and develop strategies to ensure the Division of Watercraft's continued ability to provide boating safety programs and services by identifying and seeking alternate funding sources.
Provide officers with access to real-time information through the consolidation of law enforcement data systems. |
Initiatives and Projects
Enhance the Division's website to make it more user friendly and begin the development of applications for accessing boating information with mobile devices.
Make brochures available for download through the Division's website in addition to providing an electronic publication request form.
Increase boater knowledge through social media, public service announcements, signage, internet, etc.
Promote and increase life jacket usage while boating, at boat shows and by demonstrations with advocacy groups, school systems, etc. Expand the "Get On Board With A Sober Boater" campaign statewide through 2012.
Improve service delivery and increase operational efficiency through annual, Division-wide staff training.
Research and develop strategies for expanding grant opportunities and resources for program funding.
Increase awareness of boating accident reporting requirements and promote public compliance.
Educate recreational boaters on the availability of marine pump-out facilities.
Define and publish the scenic river designation process on the Division's website.
Develop a procedure to address site inspections and approvals related to projects on or adjacent to state wild, scenic, and recreational rivers.
Develop a promotional flyer for the Scenic Rivers license plate to be inserted into registration renewal notices in cooperation with the Ohio Bureau of Motor Vehicles. |
Accomplishments 2011
Customer Service
A record 16,635 online renewals were processed in 2011. A record was also set for the number of Ohio boats registered with an unofficial total of 426,215 as of December 15, 2011.
Watercraft registration renewals were processed and returned to boaters within a period of one to two days from the time the renewal was received, resulting in a significant improvement from the average four- to five-day processing timeframe from just a few years ago.
By utilizing social media, boaters were provided with a new venue for communicating with the division. With over 500 followers on Twitter, nearly 1,500 friends on Facebook, and over 12,000 recipients of the Buckeye Boater e-newsletter, electronic communication has moved the Division forward into the next information generation.
Safety
The Division of Watercraft participated in a nationwide crackdown on impaired boating known as Operation Dry Water. During this three-day coordinated marine enforcement effort developed and promoted by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, Ohio watercraft officers contacted 1,907 boaters and made 8 arrests for boating while intoxicated. A total of 112 other alcohol and boating related citations were issued in addition to 503 warnings.
Approximately 20 staff and volunteers received training as Ohio Boating Education Course instructors.
More than 13,633 people completed a NASBLA-approved boating education course during 2011.
Nearly $1,000,000 in grant funds were provided to 60 agencies and organizations to support the placement of navigational aids, installation of pump-out facilities, operate local marine patrols, and support community boating education programs.
Personnel
Twenty-eight watercraft officer cadets were hired and began training during 2011. The cadets are scheduled to complete the Ohio Peace Officer Basic Training Course in June 2012. |
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