[OSMB-News] News Release -“Get Out of Citation” Card Given to Clackamas County Boaters

[Ashley Massey]

For Immediate Release	Date: Wednesday, August 05, 2009

“Get Out of Citation” Card Given to Clackamas County Boaters

Clackamas County Marine Patrol Deputies are trying something a little
different in an effort to educate boaters through enforcement.  Boaters
who are found not meeting the legal carriage requirements for life
jackets are being given an opportunity for amnesty.  
		
Oregon law requires boaters to carry a U.S. Coast Guard -approved,
properly fitting life jacket in good working condition for each person
on board a boat.  “We’re looking for compliance with carriage
requirements because when someone goes in the water, there’s a huge
amount of time and resources that go into search and rescue
operations,” says Dale Flowers, Law Enforcement Coordinator for the
Marine Board.  “Ninety percent of the time, the victims weren’t
wearing life jackets.  Oregon law also requires boats including
inflatable rafts, kayaks and canoes, to carry a whistle or other sound
producing device,” Flowers adds.
		
The Marine Board is looking closely at Clackamas County’s program to
see if it can be used as a model for other county marine units.  The
Marine Board contracts with 32 counties for marine law enforcement
services.  “Because of this effort, there’s a good chance the next
time these boaters hit the water that they’ll be carrying their safety
equipment, and that’s what we’re after,” Flowers adds.  A citation
for a life jackets violation is $242.
		
Since the July 4th holiday weekend, Clackamas County Marine Unit has
issued over 250 citations on the Clackamas River alone, primarily to
rafters, for carriage requirement violations; either not having the
proper number, correct fit, or no life jackets at all.  “Some of the
citations have been issued to floaters, too,” says Flowers.  Oregon
law defines a boat as all watercraft used or capable of being used as a
means of transportation on the water.  The few exemptions are floating
homes, air mattresses, beach and water toys or single inner tubes.” 
Flowers adds, tie two inner tubes together, and now it’s a boat.”

“Nobody wants to get a ticket and pay a fine and we don’t like
ruining anyone’s day on the water,” says Deputy Doug Olsen. “Our
job is to make sure everyone is safe, so if we turn this into an
education, it’s much more effective in the long run.  Having to rescue
or recover people is not something we look forward to.”  

When Deputies issue a citation to a boater, they are also given an
amnesty card.   The boaters need to show up at Clackamette Park before
their court date and bring with them their citation, amnesty card and
properly fitting, U.S. Coast Guard -approved life jackets that are in
good working condition, relating to the citation.  Amnesty is granted
every first and third Saturday of every month, at 12 p.m.  Boaters who
comply are given paperwork that they can take to the Clackamas County
Court House before their court date to have the citation dismissed.

Since Memorial Day Weekend there have been dozens of reports about
water rescues and drownings.  There have also been five recreational
boating fatalities since January.  Four out of the five victims were not
wearing life jackets and three were in paddle craft.
“Carry life jackets and a whistle and you’ll be ready for whatever
happens out on the river,” Olsen adds.
For more information, visit Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office
http://www.clackamas.us/sheriff/marine.htm or the Marine Board’s
website at http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/BoatLaws/index.shtml 
###

Please contact Dale Flowers, 503-378-2613 for any follow-up questions.

Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us

"Go with the flow...and don't fight the current."