Boater Safety Grants Coming To Area Programs

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(ODNR) – As part of the effort to keep boaters safe across Ohio, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources has awarded more than $200,000 in boating education grants to strengthen or enhance local programs. Eight organizations will receive up to $30,000 each.

“Knowing the rules and having the right equipment keeps everyone safe on the water,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “These grants provide local communities the resources they need to begin or strengthen their boating education programs.”

Boating education grants help to purchase of safety equipment, such as kayaks, life jackets, and trailers. The following are this year’s grant recipients:

Athens County

Hocking College
- $30,000 for expansion of Trail and Waterway Guide college course and equipment purchase.

Franklin County

Oakstone Academy
- $29,209.04 to develop an adaptive paddling program for students and equipment purchase to support it.
The Simon Kenton Council (Boy Scouts of America)
- $15,837.11 for the purchase kayak trailers and life jackets for their six-week summer scouting camp.

Perry County

The Sunday Creek Associates
- $24,648.15 purchase canoeing equipment and provide beginning canoe skills workshops.

Last year, more than $329,378.01 was awarded to outdoor non-profit organizations, colleges, park districts, and local school districts.

The grants are funded by Ohio’s recreational boaters through the Waterways Safety Fund, which is comprised of a share of the state motor fuel tax, watercraft registration and titling fees, and funding from the U.S. Coast Guard.

The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft is mandated by state law to provide boating safety education programs. The division accomplishes this mission by providing annual funding assistance to local communities and nonprofit organizations through a competitive grant program.