The Ohio Department of Natural Resources awarded a combined $57,500 to the sheriff’s offices in Mahoning and Trumbull counties to assist marine patrol units.
Almost $580,000 was awarded throughout the state by ODNR’s Division of Parks and Watercraft.
Trumbull County was awarded $25,500, and Mahoning County was awarded nearly $32,000.
The funding is part of a continuing effort to keep Ohio waters safe and enhance recreational boating experiences, according to the ODNR.
“As boating in Ohio gains in popularity, ODNR appreciates the help from local community partners to deliver critical services,” ODNR Director Mary Mertz said. “These grants enable local law enforcement agencies to help protect boaters, canoers, and kayakers, and the lakes and streams they enjoy.”
TRUMBULL COUNTY
Sgt. Harold Wix, head of the marine patrol division for Trumbull County, also said his patrol has to deal with the occasional drowning, as well as crashes and BUIs, or boating under the influence. His unit patrols Mosquito Creek Lake from May to mid-October from Friday to Monday and responds to after-hour emergencies as well.
Wix said ODNR does assist with emergencies, but those state employees can be as far away as two hours, so it is important to have a local patrol.
While there are occasional emergencies and accidents, Wix said in the eight years the sheriff’s office has been patrolling Mosquito Creek Lake, he has seen safety practices by boaters improve.
“Our No. 1 goal is to promote safety,” Wix said.
The program is possible because of the ODNR grant, which Wix said the department has gotten each year.
The grant covers 75 percent of the cost of the program, and the county matches the remaining 25 percent. The entire marine patrol unit has 10 sheriff’s deputies.
Each year in June, the patrol unit hosts safety day, during which it shows off its equipment, including boats and dive gear, and teaches the public about safe boating practices.
“Every year, our recreational boaters know we’re out there, so they pay close attention. It’s become harder and harder to find someone without the safety equipment needed to be out on the water,” Wix said.
In Ohio, 653,136 boats were registered in 2022 — an increase of more than 9,000 registrations from the previous year, according to ODNR. Ohio’s paddle sports also grew. Last year, Ohioans registered 320,807 paddle craft — an increase of 10,800.
MAHONING COUNTY
Mahoning County Sheriff Jerry Greene said his office has been operating water patrols for many years. They operate from Memorial Day to Labor Day on Berlin Lake and Lake Milton. The coverage is paid for with grants from ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft.
The grants cover wages and purchase of safety equipment. Last year, the sheriff’s office bought a boat with the funding. The boat belongs to ODNR, but the sheriff’s office is able to use it. Officers patrol the lakes during the holidays and at other high-traffic times, Greene said.
“Our officers are trained about watercraft and boat safety, trained how to do boat inspections. We send certain ones to the schools each year, and we have a group of them who work those details regularly,” Greene said.
The patrols deal with occasional drownings. “It’s an unfortunate part of that type of recreation. There are dangers involved, especially when people are careless,” he said.