[OSMB-News] News Release -Oregon State Marine Board Celebrates Turning 50

Ashley MASSEY Ashley.Massey at state.or.us
Fri Jan 23 11:40:37 PST 2009


For Immediate Release	Date: Friday, January 23, 2009

Oregon State Marine Board Celebrates Turning 50

	
The Oregon State Marine Board celebrates its 50th anniversary as a state agency in 2009, and to commemorate the occasion, designed a new logo that will be incorporated into the website, Marine Board publications and boat launch signage.  
	
Created by the legislature in 1959, the Marine Board's original mission has largely remained unchanged: "The Oregon State Marine Board is Oregon's recreational boating agency, dedicated to safety, education and access in an enhanced environment."  Oregon is unique because no other state in the nation has an agency entirely dedicated to recreational boating.  Boating regulations and other programs are typically split among two or more agencies or within a larger government bureaucracy, such as a Department of Natural Resources.  "By being our own entity, we're able to accomplish more for the boaters in the state," says Paul Donheffner, Director for nearly 25 years with the Marine Board.  "Having all boating programs under one dedicated agency is a big advantage for our customers.  The Marine Board's programs are frequently seen as a model for other states to follow." 

Since 1959, the Marine Board has provided tens of millions of dollars to local governments and agencies for boating facilities projects that include launch ramps, parking, restrooms, sewage pumpout stations, boarding floats, transient tie-up docks and the repair or improvement of existing boating facilities.  The Marine Board also has a maintenance assistance program to help keep access points clean and maintained for boaters.    

The Marine Board also provides boating education, safety, law enforcement and environmental programs for the benefit of Oregon's boaters.  
"When the Marine Board was first created, few county's had a marine program and if they did, they might have a part-time deputy," says Bill Rydblom, Law Enforcement Manager for the Board.  "We contract with 31 counties including Oregon State Police today, and we make sure they have the tools they need.  Our boat fleet averages around 150 and all are equipped with rescue equipment.  Marine deputies also use portable breath testing instruments that enable them to get impaired boaters off the water quickly.  "They can determine if a boater on the water is impaired by alcohol and quickly get them to shore so they're not a danger to themselves or others.  It's paramount that we give law enforcement the training and the tools they need to do their job well," Rydblom adds.  In 2009 alone, Marine Law Enforcement saved more than half a dozen lives from Oregon's rivers, using basic equipment such as throw ropes, and just being in the right place at the right time.  

"It's interesting to see how things have changed over the last half-century," says Marty Law, Education and Information Manager for the Board.  "In the 1960's an average of 40 people would die from recreational boating accidents each year.  Our largest loss of life was in 1967, where 53 people died.  Since then, our education outreach, partnerships with other boating safety groups, combined with increased law enforcement efforts has dramatically decreased the number of fatalities over the past 40 years."  For the last decade, Oregon on average has seen 14 recreational boating fatalities.  "But one fatality is too many," Law adds.  "Boaters need to make sure they know what equipment to carry, know the water and weather conditions, and most of all, know what to do if they wind up in the water.  Education and planning make all the difference."  The Marine Board also has several public awareness campaigns to help educate boaters about boating under the influence of intoxicants, wearing life jackets, and preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species.  
	
It's not only the programs and outreach efforts that make the Marine Board unique.  The Marine Board is also 100% self-funded.  It does not use any state general fund dollars.  Revenue is generated through boater-paid registration fees, and motorboat fuel taxes.  Registration fees have only been increased twice in the last 50 years; in 1979 and in 2004.  Registration fees are a flat, $3 per foot and registrations are good for two calendar years.  Services are then returned to boaters in the form of education, facilities and law enforcement services and other programs.  

Additionally, the Marine Board conducts various award-winning programs such as Junior Boater and Clean Marina.  These programs are being expanded in 2009 into a summer kid's boating camp and Clean Boater program.  The Board's education section has an assistance program to help non-profit boating and water safety groups expand various safety education projects throughout the state.  Oregon's mandatory education program has become a model for other states, including Washington and California and Oregon's newly approved mandatory ATV education program.  To date, nearly 220,000 boaters have taken a boating safety course and carry their boater education card.  Educated boaters mean safer waterways for everyone to enjoy.  Since the implementation of the mandatory education program, there has been a notable decrease in recreational boating accidents from a peak of 144 in 1995 to 66 in 2007. 

In 2009, the Marine Board will be involved in media events to promote agency campaigns and new boat launch dedications, statewide, including facilities at Sandy Beach and M. James Gleason in the Portland area.  Media events will tie into the state's 150th birthday, as well.  Be on the lookout for new life jacket and boating under the influence of intoxicants campaigns as well as more education and outreach about boat wakes, aquatic invasive species and what boaters can do to help protect our pristine waterways.
For more information, visit http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/news/2009/OSMBAnniversary.shtml 
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Ashley A. Massey
Public Affairs Specialist
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us

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