STATE BOATING OFFICIALS URGE CAUTION OPERATING PERSONAL WATERCRAFT DURING BUSY SUMMER MONTHS: OH

Article Posted: July 22, 2003

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STATE BOATING OFFICIALS URGE CAUTION OPERATING PERSONAL WATERCRAFT DURING BUSY SUMMER MONTHS

COLUMBUS, OH - State watercraft officials urge Ohio's boating
community to take extra caution when operating or boating near personal
watercraft during the busy summer months, according to the Ohio Department
of Natural Resources (ODNR).
"We've recently seen a significant number of boating accidents
involving personal watercraft," said Todd Doncyson, law enforcement
administrator for the ODNR Division of Watercraft. "It is especially
important for boaters to be vigilant during the peak of Ohio's boating
season."
Doncyson noted that personal watercraft accidents often involve
people who lack required training and sufficient experience to handle the
jet-propelled crafts.
Recent injury-causing accidents on the Ohio River, Great Miami River
and East Fork Lake involved boat operators who did not have required boater
education training.
The ODNR Division of Watercraft reports that 28 percent of the 191
boating accidents reported in Ohio last year involved personal watercraft.
Broken bones and lacerations are the most frequent types of injuries
sustained in accidents involving personal watercraft.
"Injuries tend to be more severe in personal watercraft accidents
when compared to those involving other types of watercraft. People involved
in personal watercraft accidents generally range in age from 12 to 30 years
old," said Doncyson.
Ohio law requires that any person born on or after January 1, 1982
must successfully complete a boater education course that is approved by the
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators before they operate
a boat powered by more than 10 horsepower.
Children under age 12 are not permitted to operate a personal
watercraft. Persons ages 12-16 can operate a personal watercraft if they
have a supervising adult 18 years of age or older aboard the vessel and who
has also obtained a boater education course certification.
By getting the required training and proper experience, boaters can
enhance their safe enjoyment of recreational boating activities. Additional
information on safe boating tips, boating laws and other boating programs is
available from the ODNR web page at Ohiodnr.com and by calling the Division
of Watercraft toll-free at 1-877-4BOATER (1-877-426-2837).



Source: ODNR






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