One water-recreation spot is only 36 miles away at Buckeye Lake. 

Boating and fishing are the largest outdoor recreation activities in the country, totaling nearly $23.6 billion, and a quick getaway and day at Buckeye Lake fills the bill for many Knox Countians.

Buckeye Lake has three state-owned boat launch ramps around the lake offering free launching and trailer parking for boaters. Buckeye Lake is managed through the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Watercraft Division (ODNR). In addition to boating opportunities, Buckeye Lake State Park also offers fishing, hiking, hunting, swimming and more. More information about Buckeye Lake State Park can be found at https://ohiodnr.gov/go-and-do/plan-a-visit/find-a-property/buckeye-lake-state-park.

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, young adults age 16 and older may operate a boat if they have an education certificate. Mandatory boater education, and passage of a proficiency exam, to be awarded with an education certificate, is required for any person born on or after Jan. 1, 1982, who operates a powerboat greater than 10 horsepower.

The Ohio Boating Safety Course is recommended for boaters of all ages and experience levels. Information on the course may be found at https://www.boatus.org/ohio/ . This course is free and approved by the Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft. It consists of 4-8 hours of online training in six lessons and a 60-question final exam.  After passing the course, participants may print out their education certificate.

“Captain Kelly” Collins takes boating safety seriously. As a former Coast Guard Boating Safety Officer stationed on the Great Lakes, he was trained to provide safety training and inspections.  And as a Hebron resident living on Buckeye Lake, he recognizes the continuous need to promote safe boating locally. 

As the first certified boat trainer on Buckeye Lake, Collins is launching the first-of-its-kind business on the lake to offer “Buckeye Lake Boater Training.”

Collins said to think of it as a custom driver's education course on the water. His company, Buckeye Lake Boater Training offers hands-on training programs that are conducted on a boat owner/operators' vessel. The services offered are oriented and conducted on pontoon and power boats. 

The program offerings include safety inspections and instruction on navigating Buckeye Lake as well as to provide coaching on docking and trailering. One 3-hour workshop offered begins with a checklist to verify that all safety equipment is on the boat and in working order. Instruction on usage and maintenance of equipment is also included. 

"After the operator is comfortable and successful docking their boat, a general package is offered which provides a tour of Buckeye Lake," Kelly said. 

Kelly points out the location of known underwater hazards along with marinas, gas docks, restaurants, swim areas and other items of interest.   

Buckeye Lake Boater Training also offers an after-dark navigation tour on the lake for approximately 2 hours. Kelly will point out areas to avoid, along with landmarks and lights that can be used to navigate the lake in the dark. Nighttime operation can be intimidating for boaters unable to find their way in the dark, but there are lights around the lake that may be utilized to navigate the waters.

What about boaters who don't have docks on Buckeye Lake? Kelly will meet them at one of the State launch ramps and offer the same services described in packages offered. The service offers workshops to cover the process and etiquette of launching a boat (including backing a boat trailer) and boat retrieval. Coaching is available for the process of getting boats to ramps; with special trailer packages offered. 

Of course, they will need to get their boat and trailer to the ramp, so they will need some experience towing a trailer, but backing a trailer down a launch ramp does require special skills that can be taught onsite by Collins.

At present, Buckeye Lake Boater Training is the first and only service-provider of its kind on the lake. Its goals are to increase boater education, confidence and safety awareness which benefits the lake community by increasing the pleasures of enjoying being on the water with full preparedness – from launch to ride and to load – one operator at a time.

For more information about Buckeye Lake Boater Training visit: www.BuckeyeLakeBoaterTraining.com or call 740-304-8707.