ODNR Director Sean Logan and Division of Watercraft Chief Pamela S. Dillon presented the awards during Confluence 2007, a biannual boating conference held at the Maumee Bay State Park Resort and Conference Center near Toledo.

“We’re proud of the commitment and dedicated professionalism that result from partnerships between the Division of Watercraft and various local marine patrol units statewide,” Dillon said.

Outstanding Marine Patrol Unit Awards were presented to the Lorain Marine Patrol and Summit County Sheriff’s Department. Marine Patrol Service Awards went to Five Rivers Metroparks in Dayton and the Knox County Sheriff’s Department. Officer Dale Masten of the Lorain Marine Patrol received an individual award.

In April, the Division of Watercraft announced a total of $567,504 in marine patrol grants to 31 Ohio communities to assist in enforcing state watercraft laws and maintaining safe waterways. The grants are used by local law enforcement agencies to provide emergency response to boating accidents, routine patrols on area waterways and to purchase safety equipment for use on patrol vessels.