OHIO BOATER EDUCATION LAW
The summer club newsletter has a short article on Ohio's new boater education law which went into effect Jan 1, 2000. The law states that all persons born after Jan 1, 1982 MUST have a boater education certification to operate any vessel of 10 HP or more in Ohio jurisdiction. Thus the law covered 18 year olds last year, and this year covers 19 and under. While this law does not directly impact many WP Rod and Gun Club members, it can certainly effect young family members. One other aspect of Ohio's boater education program is that the certification gained in Ohio is reciprocal with all the other states requiring boater education. Approximately 2/3 of the states, plus all of Canada, now have mandatory boater education, and the age requirements differ in all states. Therefore, getting certified through the Ohio ODNR-Division of Watercraft approved program will cover you wherever mandatory boater education is in force.
One of our club members, Dick Remski, is a volunteer with the Division of Watercraft and is a certified instructor for the Ohio Boater Education Course (OBEC). He has indicated a willingness to put on a course for the club and to offer other options for obtaining the certification from the Division of Watercraft. OBEC is available in three different ways: a class of 8 hours plus proctored exam; home study with a proctored exam; and a web-based course with proctored exam. The last two options can also be taken with a non-proctored exam, but the certification obtained by that method is only good in Ohio and is not honored by the reciprocal agreements with the other states and Canada.
Cost of materials and classroom instruction is $10 per set of materials, and materials can be shared. For example, if a father and son wanted to take the classroom course, one set of materials could be purchased for $10 and the other person could share at no additional cost. The class could be given on three consecutive nights of 3, 3 and 2 hours including the exam. The classroom exam is 50 questions and must be passed with a grade of 70%. Grading the exam is done real-time and you walk out with your temporary certificate. The state then sends you a plastic certification card within 4-5 weeks after class completion.
For the home study option, materials are provided for $4 per set, and then the student comes to a classroom site to take the proctored test. The test is again graded on site and certification follows successful completion of the test. The proctored home study exam is 70 questions, and must be passed with a 70% score.
The web-based option is at no cost to the student, but no materials are involved. Testing is the same as the home study option, with a 70 question test that must be passed at 70%.
Dick is willing to put on a class for as few as 10 participants, with a maximum class size of 20 desired. The course materials are supplemented by videos and a detailed slide presentation, plus extensive additional lecture material. The class option is the most preferred option because the participant has more time to ask questions and absorb the material.
If more information is desired, you can contact Dick Remski at 434-9263, or leave your questions with Ed Hock at the club.