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The Port Clinton Harbor Patrol Unit had conducted the final Operation Safe Boating campaign Aug. 22 in conjunction with the "See Something, Say Something" and "Sober Boater" campaigns at the Portage River at the city docks at the North Jefferson Street Pier.
Twenty-six vessels were stopped, boarded and inspected as part of the safety campaigns. Eight agencies participated in the operation with 22 law enforcement officers, on fire department staffer and a Port Clinton city councilman in attendance.
Three sumsonses are pending for a vessel that was stopped and did not have the required safety equipment.
For those who would like to have their boats inspected, contact the Port Clinton Police Department at 419-734-3121. A marine officer, if available, will respond. You must live within the city of Port Clinton. If you have your boat on a trailer, it can also be brought to the police department, 1868 E. Perry St., to be inspected as well.
If officers are unable to do your inspection at that time, an appointment will be set.
The following agencies and officers took part: U.S.C.G. Station Marblehead —
Tim Kelley, David Contrearas, Mike Powers and James Hassinger; U.S. Customs & Border Protection:— Jim McDougall and Brian Moore; U.S. Border Patrol — Robert Simon and William Albaugh; Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Homeland Security — Olen Martin; Ottawa County Sheriff's Office — James Hanney and Dean Hammer; Port Clinton Police Department — Tom Blohm, Josh Nelson, Ellis Fuiava, Mike Frank, Joel Barton, Daniel Laird, Don Gaydosh and Rob Hickman; Perrysburg Township Police Department — Mike Munoz; Port Clinton Fire Department — Kent Johnson; and Port Clinton City Council — Mike Snider.
The Ottawa County Transportation Agency allowed use of their its as a mobile office and the Port Clinton Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 79 donated pop for the officers.
According to Marine Patrol Coordinator Ellis A. Fuiava, a few boaters have voiced concerns about the operation. “We are not here to harass boaters, as a few of you may think, but we are trying to push the efforts in keeping the boaters safe on the water, which I had thought was our job as Marine Officers. I feel if we can check their equipment now, before leaving the river, we may be able to prevent or minimize the mishaps and/or fatalities on the lake,” said Fuiava.
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