RECORD AMOUNT OF BOATING SAFETY GRANTS AWARDED STATEWIDE COLUMBUS, OH -- A record $364,994 in grants have been awarded to 29 organizations across the state by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) to conduct and promote safe boating education programs this year. The grants range from $1,065 to $30,000 each. The ODNR Division of Watercraft administers the grants each year to assist local boating organizations in increasing boating education, and helping younger boaters meet the provisions of Ohio's mandatory boater education law. State law requires anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 to successfully complete the Ohio Boater Education Course, or other boater education courses approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. More than 12,000 persons successfully completed approved boater education courses in 2003, of which more than one-third were required to do so because of their age. Grant funding for boater education programs is provided through the state's Waterways Safety Fund, which is supported by a portion of the state gasoline tax, watercraft registration and titling fees, and funding from the U.S. Coast Guard. Last year, ODNR awarded 34 organizations a total of $353,000 in boating safety education grants. The ODNR Division of Watercraft, U.S. Power Squadrons, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and other boating partners will offer more than 350 boating education classes this year throughout Ohio. Additional information on boating education and related programs can be obtained by visiting the ODNR web site at ohiodnr.com or by calling 1-(877) 4BOATER.
Source: ODNR
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