Boating Season Begins

Vermilion, Ohio's boating season has arrived. ODNR strongly encourages Vermilion boaters to take a refresher boating education course this boating season.

According to U.S. Coast Guard’s statistics, in one year alone there were 4,291 recreational boating accidents that involved 658 deaths, 2,629 injuries and approximately 46 million dollars of property damage. Over 80% of these deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction.

“Taking a boating education course is the first thing everyone should do before they go boating. These courses teach you about navigation rules, laws that must be followed in your state and provide safety checklists that will go a long way in helping you and your loved ones have a fun and enjoyable boating season,” says Mark Brown, President of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). “Whether you are a first-time boater or have years of experience, there is always more to learn when taking to the water. Taking a boating education course is one of the best things you can do to prevent accidents on the water.”

Boater education is mandatory in Ohio for all boat operators born on or after January 1, 1982, who operate a boat powered by more than 10 horsepower. There are many options to fulfill the law, including online and home study courses. Ohio offers a wide variety of boating courses, making sure that there’s an appropriate course for every boater.