Boating group reels in state safety grant

CELINA - The U.S. Freshwater Boaters Alliance has hooked a nearly $20,000 Ohio Department of Natural Resources grant that will help the nonprofit organization in its quest to promote safe boating practices.

"The first thing I would say is that we're very pleased that we're getting this grant," USFBA Chief Information Officer Jeff Marcum told the newspaper on Wednesday afternoon, pointing out the grant is offered only once every three years.

According to ODNR, more than $240,000 from Ohio's Waterways Safety Fund is going to support 10 community boating-safety eduction programs in 2018. The grants, provided through ODNR's Division of Parks and Watercraft's Boating Safety Education Grant program, range from $8,875 to $30,000.

USFBA, the only local grant selectee, was awarded $17,889. USFBA is a nonprofit organization that is funded only through nominal membership fees and commercial members who pay $100 per business, making the grant a welcome financial boon, Marcum said.

The grants are funded by Ohio's recreational boaters through a share of state motor fuel tax, watercraft registration and titling fees and from the U.S. Coast Guard, according to a news release.

"The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft is responsible for providing boating safety education and is committed to supporting safe boating programs," the news release states. "The division accomplishes this mission by providing annual funding assistance to local communities and nonprofit organizations through a competitive grant program."

State law requires anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, operating powered watercraft greater than 10 horsepower to show proof of successfully having competed an approved boating safety education course, the release states.

USFBA in 2017 logged 1,138 total patrol hours and towed 27 boats to safe harbor, compared with 10 boats in 2014, according to an annual service report.

"Once again, we supported the local community by participating in Freedom Days. We provided free pontoon rides to more than 1,000 people. And we provided perimeter security for all GLSM community fireworks displays," the report states. "All in all, our members spent 860 hours working community events and drove over 6,900 miles in their personal vehicles."

Moreover, USFBA, working with the state, provided support for dredge line moves, removed floating debris and marked stumps with side-scan sonar for removal.

With some of its members certified by the U.S. Power Squadron, USFBA conducts U.S. Coast Guard safety checks on any type of boat seen on the 13,500-acre Grand Lake.

USFB, formed by former members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and incorporated as a nonprofit organization in February 2013, consists of more than 40 close-knit volunteer members 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. However, they don't enforce laws or wear uniforms.

All members have marine radios, have their boats inspected annually and undergo a boating safety class.

"When we're boating, we're patrolling. That's our saying," USFBA member Larry Stelzer told the newspaper last year. "At any given time we usually have five to 10 boats out on the lake and pretty much canvass the whole lake with those radios. It's pretty slick."

Mercer County Sheriff Jeff Grey in 2016 turned over his office's nonemergency boating calls to the USFBA. Grey struck the deal with USFBA when his office was unable to respond to a call from a 30-year-old Boston Whaler that needed to be towed back to shore. USFBA members respond to boaters' 9-1-1 calls and also by radio channel 86 or by hotline at 419-318-9139.

USFB members can usually respond to a distressed boat within a matter of minutes, Marcum said.

"Of the 38 calls the USFBA handled in 2017, 18 of them came through the 9-1-1 Dispatch Center," the recent report stated.

The group is always looking for additional volunteers, and an open house will be held before the upcoming boating season, Marcum said.

To view the report or get more information about USFBA, visit usfreshwaterboatersalliance.com.