[OSMB-News] News Release -Keep Labor Day Boating Fun and Safe

[Ashley Massey]

For Immediate Release	Date: Friday, August 28, 2008

Keep Labor Day Boating Fun and Safe

	Labor Day Weekend is one of the top three boating weekends of
the year at many Oregon waterbodies, and the Oregon State Marine Board
wants to remind boaters to be cautious and courteous where it’s
congested.  
	“On the coast, thousands of boaters are looking for salmon at
Buoy 10 near Astoria, while others are taking advantage of the holiday
weekend to float down the Deschutes, Clackamas and other rivers,” says
Ashley Massey, Public Affairs Specialist for the Marine Board. “Most
lake and reservoir water levels are beginning to drop, so factor in
extra time to launch and bring along a little patience.” 
	 Conflict between boaters and other water users can increase
this time of year, so boaters need to pay very close attention to the
people enjoying the water around them.  “This is not the time of year
to go full-throttle,” Massey says.  “With water levels dropping,
stumps, deadheads and sand and gravel bars can appear out of nowhere. 
It’s important to go slow and always keep a sharp lookout.”
	Marine officers will be on the water to assist boaters and help
keep the waterways safe.  “The top violations so far this summer
involve not having life jackets, a boater education card or current boat
registration.  Other violations involve reckless operation and
alcohol,” says Massey.  She suggests the following checklist to
stay safe and fun this Labor Day weekend:
●	Wear your life jacket.  Each boat (including kayaks and canoes)
must have a properly fitting life jacket for each person on board.  Life
jackets need to be in good shape and readily accessible - not under a
hatch or in its packaging.  All youth 12 and younger must wear a life
jacket when in the boat that’s underway.  Many people who have drowned
would have survived if they were wearing a life jacket.  
●	Sit on the seat.  The growth of wakesurfing is luring many
people to ride on the swim platform, stern or sides of the boat.  This
is a carbon monoxide hazard, a safety hazard, and is illegal.
●	Slow down and keep a proper lookout.  Always obey the “5-mph,
slow-no-wake” buoys or signs. Wakes can contribute to bank erosion and
damage docks and other property.  Remember to slow down within 200 feet
of a dock, launch ramp, marina, moorage, floating home or boathouse,
pier or swim float.  
●	Carry your boater education card.  This year all boaters
operating boats over 10 hp need to have a boater education card. Youth
12-15 who operate a powerboat 0-10 hp alone must carry a boater
education card.  When operating a powerboat greater than 10 hp, youth
must be supervised by a card-holding adult age 16 or older.  When
operating a personal watercraft, the supervising adult must be 18 or
older. Educated boaters are much less likely to be involved in boating
accidents.
●	Don’t drink and boat. Officers are looking for intoxicated
boat operators on the water and at the boat ramps when leaving the
water.  If arrested for Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants, a
violator can be fined $6,250, lose boating privileges for a period of
time, and may even serve jail time.  The Marine Board encourages boaters
(that goes for floaters too) to leave the alcohol on shore. It’s safer
for everybody. 
	For more information on boating safety, visit
http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/safety/safety.shtml.
###


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

"Clean, Drain and Dry your boat to prevent the spread of aquatic
nuisance species."