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Recent Media Coverage concerning Boating & MBIYCParks chief has word of caution State park director’s departure ‘big loss’ ODNR ISSUES WARNING TO BUYERS OF USED BOATS BOAT OWNERS ADVISED ON PROPER DISPLAY OF REGISTRATION NUMBERS OHIO BOATER OWNERS CAN GO ONLINE TO RENEW WATERCRAFT REGISTRATIONS QUICKLY, EASILY NINE LAKE ERIE MARINAS TO RECEIVE OHIO CLEAN MARINAS CERTIFICATION MEDIA ADVISORY - OHIO CLEAN MARINAS PROGRAM CERTIFICATIONS FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ODNR ISSUES WARNING TO BUYERS OF USED BOATS COLUMBUS, OH – Ohioans considering the purchase of a used boat are advised to look for hidden or undisclosed damage, especially in a boat from the Florida or Gulf Coast region, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). The Boat Owners Association of the United States estimates damage to recreational watercraft was extensive throughout the Gulf Coast region in 2005 and exceeded more than $650 million alone from Hurricane Katrina. Many of those damaged boats have now found their way onto the resale market as “nearly new” or used craft. “Sadly, unethical people are everywhere, even in times of disaster,” said Rick Barrera, registration and titling manager of the ODNR Division of Watercraft and chairman of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) Numbering and Titling Committee. “Used boat buyers should take precautions to protect themselves from those who would profit from hurricane-damaged watercraft.” NASBLA is joined by ODNR and other state watercraft agencies nationwide in advising potential boat buyers to first check out the full history of any used vessel they consider for purchase. Conducting business only with reputable dealers and seeking the services of a certified boat surveyor before buying any used watercraft is always recommended. Of the states that require titling, including Ohio, fewer than 10 states require titles of boats and other watercraft that have been designated for salvage. Consumers and boat registration personnel can access the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s database of watercraft affected by last year’s hurricanes at www.nicb.org. “If a deal on a used boat sounds too good to be true, most times it is,” Barrera said. “And that likely means additional problems for some boat buyers.” He urges potential buyers to take a few extra steps to make sure their purchase is legitimate, has been properly inspected, and can be properly titled and registered in Ohio or other state of permanent residence. For Additional Information Contact: Rick Barrera, ODNR Division of Watercraft (614) 265-6490 -or- Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations (614) 265-6860 FOR
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
BOAT OWNERS ADVISED ON PROPER DISPLAY OF COLUMBUS, OH – Failure by watercraft owners to properly affix and display their exterior boat vessel identification numbers as required by federal and state boating rules is prompting violation warnings and could potentially result in a citation, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR). U.S. Coast Guard rules require that boaters display their external vessel identification numbers only in plain vertical block letters not less than 3 inches in height in a color scheme that is visibly legible and in contrast with the background color of the boat. Vessel identification numbers must be of a single color, not outlined, shadowed or rounded. “We are aware that an increasing number of boat owners are in violation of federal and state rules with regard to the proper display of vessel registration numbers and are being advised incorrectly as to what is permitted,” said Mike Quinn, acting chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. Owners of new and sportier boats, including personal watercraft, frequently want their Ohio identification numbers to match the color schemes and designs of their boats. Only owners of non-motorized canoes, kayaks, rowboats, inflatable craft, racing sculls and racing shells may apply for a registration that does not require an external display of the Ohio vessel identification number. Operators of watercraft improperly displaying out-of-state identification numbers while on Ohio waterways also may be warned or cited by state watercraft officers or the U.S. Coast Guard for failure to comply with regulations. Information regarding the proper display of vessel identification numbers, required safety equipment and how to renew a watercraft registration can be found on the ODNR website at ohiodnr.com. For Additional Information Contact: Rick Barrera, ODNR Division of Watercraft (614) 265-6490 -or- Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations (614) 265-6860 . News Release January 10, 2006 OHIO BOATER OWNERS CAN GO ONLINE TO RENEW WATERCRAFT REGISTRATIONS QUICKLY, EASILY COLUMBUS, OH - Ohioans with watercraft registrations due to expire March 1 are urged to update their “paperwork” online through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) online registration renewal system at ohiodnr.com . “It’s a fast and easy process that continues to provide added convenience for Ohio boaters and ensures they are ready for the upcoming boating season,” said Rick Barrera, manager of the Division of Watercraft’s registration and titling section. Last year, a total of 5,890 watercraft registration renewals were completed through the online system, which can be accessed 24 hours each day through June 30. Approximately 130,000 renewal notices are currently being mailed to watercraft owners with registrations due to expire March 1. Registrations are valid for a period of three years and fees remain unchanged from last year. Ohio has more than 414,000 registered watercraft and ranks eighth nationally in the number of watercraft registered. Address changes for boat owners can also be made through the online system. Incorrect or outdated boat registration information must be corrected through a watercraft registration agent. Watercraft registrations that are being renewed or newly issued must also include a valid 12-character Hull Identification Number. A listing of watercraft registration agents is available at ohiodnr.com and by calling the ODNR Division of Watercraft toll-free at 877-4BOATER (877-426-2837). For Further Information Contact: John Wisse, ODNR Division of Watercraft (614) 265-6695 Jane Beathard, ODNR Media Relations (614) 265-6860
News Release NINE LAKE ERIE MARINAS TO RECEIVE OHIO CLEAN MARINAS CERTIFICATION LORAIN, OH – Nine Lake Erie marinas will officially become Ohio’s first Clean Marinas in a dedication ceremony at Spitzers Lakeside Marina, Lorain, Ohio on Wednesday, October 19, 2005 at 1:30 p.m. Beaver Park North, Beaver Park Marina, Cedar Point Marina, Edgewater Yacht Club, Marina Del Isle, Middle Bass Island Yacht Club, Sandusky Yacht Club, Spitzer HarborWalk & Rack Storage, and Spitzer Lakeside Marina have voluntarily met pollution control standards set by program’s main administors, Ohio Sea Grant, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR), and the Lake Erie Marine Trades Assocation. Spitzer Lakeside Marina will also receive the honor of being the first marina to be certified as an Ohio Clean Marina. “This is a significant accomplishment in the efforts to protect and improve water quality of Lake Erie, one of Ohio’s most important natural resources,” said Gary L. Comer, Jr., Ohio Clean Marinas Program Coordinator and Ohio Sea Grant Extension Educator. “For this reason, we would like to honor these marinas and their efforts to voluntarily adopt measures to control pollution associated with marina operations.” Launched in 2004 with grant funding provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and administered through Ohio Sea Grant and ODNR’s Office of Coastal Management, Ohio Clean Marinas Program is a proactive partnership designed to encourage marinas and boaters to use simple, innovative solutions to keep Ohio’s coastal and inland waterways clean. The primary goal of the program is to promote environmental stewardship by encouraging marinas and boaters to adopt a series of best management practices that protect the Lake Erie ecosystem. Certified Clean Marinas will receive official signs and flags bearing the Ohio Clean Marina logo to post at their marinas. “When boaters see the Clean Marinas flag flying at their marina, they can be assured that their marinas are doing their part to keep Lake Erie clean,” said Comer. For more information on the Ohio Clean Marinas Program, visit the Internet web site at www.ohiocleanmarina.osu.edu. For Further Information Contact: Jill Jentes Banicki, Ohio Sea Grant, 614.292.8949 Gary L. Comer, Jr., Coordinator, Ohio Clean Marinas Program, 419.609.4120 Dave Kelch, Administrator, Ohio Clean Marinas Program, 440.326.5851 October 14, 2005
MEDIA ADVISORY
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