The Akron Legal News

ODNR encourages boaters to take course before hitting the water

ELISSA COLLOPY
Special to the Legal News
Published: April 21, 2016

With the start of the busy season for local boaters, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources Division of Watercraft and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators are encouraging boaters to enroll in a boating education course before taking to the water.

“The ODNR Division of Watercraft wants to ensure that every effort is made to promote boater education and help encourage exceptional safety practices by all of Ohio’s boaters,” said Mike Miller, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. “The Spring Aboard campaign is a fun way to encourage certification and provides role model safe practices for everyone that enjoys time on the water.”

Ohio’s Boater Education requirement can be met by taking an approved course online or in a classroom, or by passing a proficiency exam.

Ohio is among the 49 states that require proof of completion of an education course to operate some powered vessels.

“With today’s wide variety of courses available, there’s a course for everyone’s schedule,” said NASBLA President Col. Darren Rider. “Boaters have many ways to get educated, from classroom courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons to online offerings available anytime day or night. There’s no reason to head out on the water without knowing what you’re doing.”

When the level of operator education was known, 80 percent of boating deaths occurred on boats where the operator had never received formal boating education according to the U.S. Coast Guard’s 2014 statistics.

Many states require the completion of a course certified by NASBLA to meet a minimum national boating education standard.

For Ohioans, a course is required for anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1982 who will operate a boat over 10 horsepower.

In Ohio, there are age limits and education requirements, depending on boat type and propel speed; however, there is no boating license.

Boaters normally will receive a card or certificate after passing a boating course that serves as proof of education.

The law of boater education only applies to boats of greater than 10 horsepower, and operator age limits remain the same with children ages 12-15 needing a supervising adult 18 or older, and 16 year olds may operate alone as long as they’ve acquired an education card or certificate.

Online course providers such as BoaterExam, BoatEd and AceBoater are offering student discounts during the Spring Aboard campaign.

Costs vary from providers; Boat-Ed is $29.50, BoaterExam is $29.95 and AceBoater is $19.95. In addition to these three providers, BoatUS also has an online course for only $5 with a certificate.

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