Governor Ted Strickland Signs Legislation to Enhance Boating Safety on Ohio Waterways
June 13, 2008
COLUMBUS, OH - Governor Ted Strickland today signed legislation to enhance boating safety on Ohio waterways, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Watercraft.
Senate Bill 271, passed by the Ohio General Assembly last month, addresses a diversity of issues across the state. It became effective immediately upon the governor’s signature.
The new legislation creates the following changes in Ohio boating laws:
1) Establishes “failure to control” as an enforceable boat operator rule. Many accidents occur as the result of operator inexperience or the forces of nature. These are not the result of a “rules of the road” violation or caused by reckless operation, but may result in minor property damage or injury.
Examples of situations encompassed by the “failure to control” law include: over-compensation in strong winds or currents, loss of steerage on jet boats when the throttle is released, and attempting to maneuver under sail power alone through congested areas like marinas that may result in an accident.
2) Increases the horsepower limit on Pymatuning Lake in northeastern Ohio to 20 horsepower. Approximately two-thirds of the lake is within the boundaries of Pennsylvania, which passed legislation to allow for the increase several years ago. The aim of this legislation is to remove the confusion surrounding the Pymatuning Lake Compact and improve boater safety.
3) Creates a “no wake zone,” requiring boat operators to reduce their speed when passing a boat actively engaged in providing public service, including law enforcement, fireboats, search and rescue teams, dredges and towing services. This is similar to the law requiring motorists to proceed with caution and change lanes or slow down when approaching a stationary public safety vehicle displaying an emergency light.
4) Permits boaters to “slow tow” ski tubes and other towables in no-wake zones and areas outside of the designated speed and ski zones. Enactment of this provision will create additional recreational opportunities for individuals who are physically unable to manage or do not desire the higher speeds of open zones.
5) Allows children under 10 years of age, who board a watercraft under 18 feet in length, to wear a swimsuit-style life jacket. The children’s Type V personal flotation device was approved by the U.S. Coast Guard several years ago and is designed to be more comfortable and better suited to the activities of children participating in family boating.
6) Allows for the transfer of electronic titles for outboard motors. This provision reduces the time it takes to transfer titles by preventing the need for a watercraft dealer to first issue a physical title.
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Fish and Boat Commission Urges Boaters To Wear Life Jackets
May 21, 2008
Harrisburg, PA — The PA Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) needs your help to remind boaters that May is a dangerous month for boating in Pennsylvania because warmer days give people the illusion that the water is warm as well.
“Cold water shock was the cause of 10 of last year’s 11 boating fatalities,” PFBC Bureau Director of Boating and Access Dan Martin said. “Wearing your life jacket will keep you on the surface, giving you a better chance of rescue and survival.”
Boating is a fun, safe sport, but things can go wrong, including fatal accidents.
“Over the past 10 years in Pennsylvania, an average of 13 boaters died each year in recreational boating accidents,” Martin said. “You can reduce your chances of becoming a statistic by boating responsibly.” Here’s how:
- Take a boating course. It’s a fact that knowledgeable boaters have far fewer accidents on the water than those who do not take a safe boating course. Classroom, Internet and correspondence courses are listed on the Commission’s web site at www.fishandboat.com
. For a comprehensive overview of safe boating information and regulations, read the Pennsylvania Boating Handbook, which is also available at www.fishandboat.com. - Wear your life jacket. Eighty percent of the people who are killed in a boating accident would probably still be alive today if they had simply worn the life jacket that was already available in their boat.
- Drinking and boating do not mix. Being under the influence of alcohol is illegal while operating a boat. Just one or two drinks will affect your balance, making it much easier to capsize or fall overboard. As you continue to drink, alcohol affects your other senses and judgment. Be smart. Have a designated boat operator or refrain from drinking.
- Take action. For starters, take a boating course at www.fishandboat.com. Then, go boating with an experienced operator who can “show you the ropes” or go to our website’s calendar and find a boating course near you!
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DNR courtesy boating inspections set during Memorial Day weekend
May 19, 2008
In an effort to keep state waterways safe during the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, the S.C. Department of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Division will again be conducting courtesy safety inspections at some public boat landings.
The Memorial Day holiday weekend is considered the first blast of summer and one of the busiest weekends of the year on state waters.
DNR boating safety and enforcement officers will perform a quick, but thorough, inspection for items such as required safety equipment and proper boat and motor registration. “Those who are not in compliance with safety regulations or registration requirements will not be ticketed during the complimentary inspections,” said Col. Alvin Taylor, deputy director of the S.C. Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Law Enforcement Division. “Instead, they will be given an opportunity to correct the problem before they launch their boat.” DNR officers will also be available to answer questions and give boaters tips on how to stay safe on the water.
To report boating violations such as reckless operation or an intoxicated boat operator, call the DNR toll-free, 24-hour hotline at 1-800-922-5431. For a copy of South Carolina’s boating regulations, to find out about local boating safety courses or to obtain a free float plan form contact the DNR Boating Safety Office at 1-800-277-4301.
Courtesy safety inspections at the following locations and times:
- Beaufort & Colleton Counties
Bennetts Point - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 24)
Pinckney Island - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 25)
Lemmon Island Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 26) - Broad River
Cherokee County/Pick Hill Landing - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - May 24)
99 Island Landing - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - May 26)
- Congaree River
Rosewood Landing - (4 p.m. -7 p.m. - May 23)
Bates Bridge/601 Bridge - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 24)
Rosewood Landing - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 25)
Billy Tolar - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 26)
- Hampton & Jasper Counties
Sand’s Boat Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 24)
Stokes Bluff Boat Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 25)
Battery Creek Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 26) - Horry County
Craig Campbell Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 24)
Conway Marina - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 25)
Enterprise Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 26)
- Georgetown County
Georgetown Ball Park - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 24)
Murrells Inlet - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 25)
Wacca Wache - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 26)
- Lake Blalock
Main Ramp - (Noon - 2 p.m. - May 23) - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 24) - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 25) - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 26) - Lake Bowen
Main Ramp - (Noon - 2 p.m. - May 23) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 24) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 25) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 26) - Lake Hartwell
Hurricane Creek Landing - (Noon - 2 p.m. - May 23) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 24)
Twelve Mile Park - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 24) - Lake Jocasee
Main Ramp - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 25 - Lake Keowee
Gap Hill Landing - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 25)
South Cove Park - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 24) - Lake Greenwood
Reeders Boat Landing - (Noon - 2 p.m. - May 23) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 24) Greenwood State Park - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 24) - (Noon - 2 p.m. - May 25) - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 26) - Lake Marion
Alex Harvin Landing (Clarendon Co) - (9 a.m. -12 p.m. - May 23) - (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - May 24) - (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - May 25) - (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - 26)
State Park (Orangeburg Co) - (5 p.m. - 8 p.m. - May 23) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 24) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 25) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 26)
Packs Landing (Sumter Co) - (9 a.m. -12 p.m. - May 23) - (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - May 24) - (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - May 25) - (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - 26)
Low Fall Landing (Calhoun Co) - (5 p.m. - 8 p.m. - May 23) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 24) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 25) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 26)
White Oak (Clarendon Co) - (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. - May 26) - Lake Murray
Lake Murray Dam (Irmo Side) - (4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - May 23) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 24) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 25) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - 26)
Billy Dreher Island (Newberry Co) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 23) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 24) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 25) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - 26)
SCE&G Ramp #3 (Saluda Co) - (4 p.m. - 7 p.m. - May 23) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 24) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 25) - (8 a.m. - 11 a.m. - 26) - Lake Robinson (Greenville Co)
Main Ramp - (Noon - 2 p.m. - May 23) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 24) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 25) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 26) - Lake Robinson (Darlington/Chesterfield Cos)
Johnson’s Landing - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - May 25)
Morrison Bridge - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - May 24)
Black River at Andrews - (9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 24)
Black River at Kingstree - (4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - May 23)
Little Pee Dee at Galivants Ferry - (4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - May 25) - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. -May26)
Dewitts Landing Big Pee Dee - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - May 24) - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m.- May 26) - Lake Secession
Barton’s Landing - (Noon - 2 p.m. - May 23) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. -May 24) - Lake Thurmond
Parksville Boat Landing - (10 a.m. - noon - May 26)
Scotts Ferry Landing - (Noon - 2 p.m. - May 25)
Dorn Landing - (10 a.m. - 12 p.m. - May 24) - Lake Wallace
Lake Wallace Public Ramp - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - May 25)
Dargan’s Pond - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - May 24)
Hwy 34 Big Pee Dee - (4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - May 24) - Lake Wateree
Dutchman Creek Landing - (2 p.m. - 4 p.m. - May 23)
Clearwater Cove - (9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 24) - (9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May26)
Wateree State Park - (2 p.m. - 4 p.m. - May 25)
- Lake Wylie
Ebenezer Boat Landing - (4 p.m. - 6 p.m. - May 23) - (10 a.m. - Noon - May 24) - (1 p.m. - 3 p.m. - May 25) - (9 a.m. - 11 a.m. - May 26)
- Lower Charleston County
Cherry Point - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 24)
Wappoo Cut - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 25)
Limehouse - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 26) - Saluda Lake
Main Ramp - (Noon - 2 p.m. - May 23) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 24) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 25) - (11 a.m. - 1 p.m. - May 26) - Union County
Neal Shoal Landing - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - May 26)
Lake John D. Long - (8 a.m. - 10 a.m. - May 24)
- Upper Charleston & Berkeley Co.
Moore’s Landing - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 24)
IOP Marina - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 25)
Bushy Park Both Sides - (9 a.m. - Noon - May 26)
DNR protects and manages South Carolina’s natural resources by making wise and balanced decisions for the benefit of the state’s natural resources and its people.
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