Port Marine Patrol faced ‘challenging year’ in 2017

The 2017 boating season was “a challenging year for a variety of reasons” for the Lorain Port Authority Marine Patrol, according to its commander.

The Port Authority recently published the annual summary and financial report for the 2017 season, and Lorain Marine Patrol Commander Ed Favre described good and bad effects from the year.

“Our marine patrol operations have been pressured in a number of ways, many out of our control,” he said in his 2017 summary. “The pressures and cuts are challenging, however, we believe that with proper adjustments we can continue to be of great value.”

Tough year for boating

The marine patrol operated from May 1 to Nov. 18 last year, and the summer was not a good boating season for Lorain, Favre said.

“Predominant north winds caused rough waters,” he said. “As most boats in and out of Lorain are smaller fishing vessels, rough waters curtailed (or) changed the times they went out.”

Morning fishing boat traffic did not return in the evenings for concerts, Favre said.

“The dilapidated conditions at the Hot Waters ramps discouraged boaters,” he said, referring

to the city of Lorain’s Municipal Boat Ramp.

“This location is where we usually generated the most statistics favorable to ODNR,” he wrote. “Floating debris, the poorly run and now closed bait shop and crooked floating docks discouraged trailer boaters.”

Funding

The marine patrol had a grand total of $54,880 for program costs, with $32,000 coming from state grant money and $22,880 for the local match.

The local match is not all cash from the Port Authority, said Accountant Yvonne Smith.

The Lorain Police Department pays for the time of Officer Mark Tomlin to be on the water for the marine patrol. That was worth $10,871 last year, Smith said.

The police department also assisted with purchasing patrol boat fuel worth $2,775. Spitzer Lakeside Marina donates a dock for the marine patrol, a value of $1,873, Smith said.

Without those donations, especially from the police department, marine patrol time on the water would be scaled back considerably, Smith said. The police department benefits because the marine patrol boat is available to the police dive team when needed, she said.

“It’s a fantastic partnership,” Smith said.

In 2016, the state Division of Watercraft had a 10 percent cut in funding; that became the norm in 2017, Favre said. “This was consistent with the state of Ohio’s trend of cutting local government funding.”

At the Ohio Department of Natural Resources in Columbus, the agency merged its Divisions of Watercraft and Parks. It appeared that diverted and blended resources more toward parks than watercraft, Favre said.

This year the marine patrol will have $1,000 cut from its grant funding.

ODNR no longer will purchase

or supply boats or engines — a change that affects all marine patrols, Favre said. Because of that, Ottawa County has dropped out of the ODNR program, he said.

Work hours down

Search and rescue calls were down, so some work hours allocated for emergencies went unused. Poor weather also caused some shifts to cancel or leave early.

Officer Todd Pierce took a new job that created a schedule conflict and forced him to resign, creating a savings in training hours, Favre said.

The Lorain Police Department reduced availability of Tomlin from April to October, to mid-June to mid-August. Officers were needed for patrol during the Rockin’ on the River events, but the marine patrol dropped from three officers to two on the boat.

“Although still operable, this crew size is insufficient in (search and rescue), emergency or tow situations,” Favre said.

The marine patrol will get a new member in 2018. The other marine patrol officers are Thomas Davis, Keith Riggs, Terry Stephens and Jeremy Tavenner.

New equipment

The marine patrol generated savings due to poor weather, fewer calls and reduced staffing, Favre said.

With the cost savings, the marine patrol was able to invest in equipment.

The boat will get some fiberglass repairs and it will be buffed and sealed, which has not happened since the marine patrol took delivery of the boat in 2005, Favre said. Cabin leakage will be sealed and the interior will get some repairs.

“Having the boat in best possible order is important in view of ODNR equipment cuts,” he said.

The boat will get side scan sonar, “a significant tool of major assistance to divers in recoveries,” said Favre, who noted the Coast Guard boats in Lorain did not have that equipment.

The patrol boat also got modern life jackets, new emergency throw sticks and new black fenders along the sides.

Next year will bring more educational programs and repainting and posting of “no wake” signs on the Black River and Beaver Creek.

The marine patrol has moved its operations to the U.S. Coast Guard Station Lorain.