Today we’d like to introduce you to Kelly Collins.
Hi Kelly, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I’m a former US Coast Guard Boating Safety Officer, and I retired to Buckeye Lake in Ohio a few years ago. I enjoyed being on the water while in the Coast Guard, and I wanted to enjoy retirement doing what I loved; spending time relaxing on the water. While living here, I’ve had several friends who bought boats and asked me to show them how to use their new purchase. They were aware of my past boating experience and saw me operate my boat on the lake, so they felt comfortable asking me to instruct them on docking and operation of their boat.
Several friends commented after their training that I was very helpful to them and I should offer this service to other new boaters. I discussed it with my wife, and she encouraged me to contact the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) and discuss boater training with them. Buckeye Lake is a state-owned lake, and we wanted to make sure anything we did with training met with their approval.
We started the application process in November 2021 and worked with ODNR on getting my Boater Training Certification. I’m the first non-ODNR state staff person to go through this process on Buckeye Lake. I’m now the first ODNR-certified boat trainer on the lake. My hope is to help new boaters feel safe while operating their watercraft. Just because you can drive an automobile doesn’t mean you can automatically operate a boat. Boats require more time to maneuver on turns and to stop. Rules of navigation can be complicated, and it helps to have someone explain them to you while on the water in your boat.
My training program is hands-on with your own boat. Each boat has different operational characteristics, and it’s important that you learn close-quarter maneuvering on your boat.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The training and testing have been fairly smooth. My challenge has been working through the permit process with ODNR. Since I’m the first person to go through this process, they’ve been very cautious making sure all legal aspects have been met. Now that I have my permit, I’m scheduling training classes and enjoying sharing my knowledge with new boaters. My biggest challenge now has been all the rain storms we’ve been experiencing this July. Training someone on how to operate their boat shouldn’t be attempted during storms or high winds. I keep a vigilant eye on the weather forecast as a quick-moving storm can be dangerous on the lake.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We’ve sold our interest in Funhouse Illusions when we retired several years ago. One of our companies, the Midwest Haunters Convention, operated the largest Halloween Convention in the country. The convention started in Columbus, Ohio in 2004. We sold it in 2013 to the largest trade show company in the country, Transworld Exhibits. Another company we operated was the ScareAtorium, a haunted attraction in Columbus, Ohio. We operated it for 10 years, sold it in 2017 to the 13th Floor. They were the largest haunted attraction company in the country and wanted to open an attraction in Columbus. They were aware of our operation and approached us to purchase our business instead of competing against us.
We’ve been in the entertainment business for many years but retired to spend time on the lake enjoying life. After several years of retirement, we saw this opportunity to help educate others on safe boating which brought us back into business.
What were you like growing up?
I grew up around Columbus, Ohio, but didn’t grow up spending much time on the water. When I was around 8 years old, I was on a boat with my dad and grandfather on Lake Erie. We got caught in a storm, and our engine died. Fortunately, the Coast Guard came to our rescue and that left a lasting impression on me. I knew then that I wanted to be in the Coast Guard helping others. I always enjoyed sharing my knowledge with others and teaching friends how to accomplish tasks.
Pricing:
- Safe Boater Package $159 – Captain Kelly will review your safety equipment and provide instruction on how to dock and maneuver your boat. He will explain how to navigate Buckeye Lake safely along with areas to avoid. He will provide you with a tour of the lake on your boat – showing how to navigate to various attractions on the lake.
- Trailer launch & retrieve Package $79 – Captain Kelly will meet you at a public launch ramp for 75 minutes of hands-on training launching and retrieving your boat from your trailer. Includes backing with your vehicle and boat; check for safety equipment and review how to use, maintain and test equipment.
- Tour of Buckeye Lake Package $109 – Captain Kelly will meet you at your dock or a public launch ramp for a two-hour tour of Buckeye Lake on your boat. We’ll cover many areas of Buckeye Lake; includes check for safety equipment; location of restaurants, marinas, gas docks, shopping, coves, swim areas, channels, and secluded areas. Will review water depths, underwater hazards, clearance of bridges, and best practices for boating.
- After dark Tour of Buckeye Lake Package $119 – Captain Kelly will meet you at your dock or a public launch ramp for an advanced workshop on hands-on boater training. A two-hour tour of Buckeye Lake after dark on your boat; includes location of restaurants and marinas. Will explain how to navigate the lake after dark using landmarks and a variety of lights. This slow-speed tour (Max 10 mph speed) will include a review of water depths, floating and underwater hazards, and best practices for boating.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BuckeyeLakeBoaterTraining.com
- Facebook: Buckeye Lake Boater Training
Image Credits
Kelly Collins
