Sheriff turning over nonemergency boater calls to local group

CELINA - Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey plans to turn over his office's nonemergency boating calls next year to the local U.S. Freshwater Boaters Alliance, a non-profit boating organization that promotes safety on Grand Lake.

Grey recently told county commissioners that his office's boat is a 30-year-old Boston Whaler with many mechanical issues. It may be time to get rid of the craft, possibly by selling it on GovDeals, an online auction site, he added.

"Our boat the last couple years has just been problem after problem. I think halfway through the summer we pulled it," Grey said. "(We) could probably sell it and get something out of it, and I'm OK with doing that. But if we're going to have a boat we're going to have to think about replacing it."

A new boat, Grey said, could cost as much as $60,000.

The lake is state property, and sheriff's personnel aren't required to patrol the waters, Grey said. That's done by Ohio Department of Natural Resources employees.

In recent years, Grey's office has deployed the boat just during big events such as the Celina Lake Festival, Freedom Days and Governor's Cup Regatta. Working with other vessels, the boat was used to form a perimeter to keep other boats away from the fireworks barge and the Regatta's race course.

Last summer, when the boat had to be towed back to shore, Grey said he struck an agreement with USFBA to respond to nonemergency situations. The USFBA members began responding to boaters' 911 calls. They also can be reached at radio channel 68 or by hotline at 419-318-9139.

"Because they all live around the lake and if there was a boat in distress, they've got a phone system set up and dispatch would call them. Especially if somebody's in the lake in trouble," Grey said.

USFB members can usually respond to a distressed boat within a matter of minutes, chief information officer Jeff Marcum said. Their response can be quicker than the sheriff's office's.

"If our car's in Fort Recovery, by the time we get up here, get the boat, get out there (it takes a long time). We can call them - and they did a great job," Grey said.

Commissioner Jerry Laffin said he favors getting rid of the sheriff's boat.

Marcum said the USFB is confident in its members' ability to respond to disabled boats.

"We've got a great relationship with the sheriff's department," he said.

USFB, formed by former members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in February 2013, consists of 40 recreational boaters who maintain an almost constant presence on the lake throughout the boating season. When on the lake, the boaters are on patrol- ready to help people in distress. The members can, among other things, provide a tow.

USFBA members fly a yellow USFBA flag and have marine radios, allowing them to connect with other area USFBA members to form a communications network.

"Our motto is 'Boaters Helping Boaters' and that's what we're all about," Marcum said, adding that all members must receive a basic boating safety course certificate and have their boats checked annually.

The organization also has helped boaters who came from outside the area, some of whom were surprised at the help they received at no cost, Marcum said.

"I think we're good ambassadors for the community as well," he said.

Last year, USFBA towed 24 boats to safety, spent 529 hours in support of lake events, logged 775.5 hours on lake patrols and drove 2,935 miles in personal vehicles conducting USFBA business in local communities.

For more information about USFBA, visit usfreshwaterboatersalliance.com.