[OSMB-News] News Release -Contaminated Cabin Cruiser Intercepted by OSP

Ashley Massey ashley.massey at state.or.us
Fri Aug 28 16:45:39 PDT 2009


For Immediate Release	Date: Friday, August 28, 2009 

Contaminated Cabin Cruiser Intercepted by OSP

	It was as close to a close call as they come in terms of a
contaminated boat launching in Oregon.  On August 25, a 30-foot cabin
cruiser was being trailered from San Francisco, California on its way to
a marine dealer in Portland.  The two outdrives on the stern, the turn
shafts and hull were completely encrusted with an unknown aquatic
species.  If it had not been for a well informed OSP Trooper and a rapid
response plan, this boat could have easily ended up contaminating some
of Oregon’s waterways. 
	A keen-eyed Oregon State Police Trooper, who was off duty at the
time, noticed an encrusted boat at a truck stop in Medford, and called
his supervisor to report his observations.  Sergeant Kirk Myer, from the
Central Point Patrol Office, immediately drove to the location but the
boat had already gone.  Sergeant Myer was able to find out where the
boat was going because the driver apparently only stopped to ask for
directions.  The Sergeant was able to catch up to the boat in Grants
Pass and could see the extent of encrustation as he drove closer to the
boat and trailer on the freeway.  The Sergeant had probable cause to
stop the driver, because the trailer’s rear license plate was bent
downward, obstructing the license plate information.  The operator was
cooperative and was apparently hired to transport the boat to Portland. 
Sergeant Myer then contacted Dan Vandyke, an ODFW Fish Biologist from
Central Point, who met up with them in Grants Pass.  Vandyke was able to
rule out fresh water species but wanted the boat inspected more
thoroughly when it reached Portland.
	Sergeant Myer then contacted Glenn Dolphin, Clean Marina
Coordinator for the Oregon State Marine Board and member of the Invasive
Species Council.  Dolphin then made arrangements with Rick Boatner,
ODFW’s Invasive Species Coordinator and Robyn Draheim, with the Center
for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University (PSU), to meet in
Portland to inspect the boat and identify the aquatic species.
	After examination, it was determined that the boat was encrusted
with marine mussels, tunicates, barnacles, tubeworms, seaweed, limpets
and another undetermined isopod.  Samples were taken for positive
identification in the laboratory at PSU.  According to the driver, the
boat had been removed from the water on August 22.  Three days later,
some of the species were still alive. 
Had the boat been launched back into salt water there would have been
invasive species introduced into the receiving waterbody.  
	The boat was ordered to be thoroughly cleaned with a hot
pressure washer system to ensure all of the species were removed. 
Fortunately, the boat was being transported to a marine dealer who plans
on fully detailing the boat for eventual resale.
	Dolphin and Boatner agreed that since the contamination was from
salt water species, a follow-up inspection was not necessary.  The rapid
response plan clearly outlines that if a boat is found contaminated with
a fresh water species, experts in invasive species would need to be
present during decontamination and schedule a follow-up inspection at a
later date.  
	This is an excellent example of an invasive species rapid
response plan that worked, with all of the key players fulfilling their
roles.  Training law enforcement personnel, waterway managers and staff,
Port employees, and boaters about aquatic invasive species is ongoing.  
Coordinated efforts, in conjunction with new laws, and decontamination
equipment will help bring us closer to keeping our beautiful waterways
native and pristine. 
	The Oregon State Marine Board wants to extend a sincere “thank
you” to Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
and Portland State University for their participation in this real-life
execution of the rapid response plan.  
	Beginning in January 1, 2010 it will be illegal to knowingly
launch a boat containing any visible aquatic species on the hull, motor,
trailer or related equipment, or any invasive species inside the boat. 
The goal of the law is to prevent aquatic invasive plants, shellfish, or
other organisms from being released into uninfested waters.
	The Oregon State Marine Board wants to let boaters know how
important it is to keep your boat clean.  It’s up to all boaters
individually to educate friends and visitors about invasive species and
to take personal responsibility for cleaning, draining and drying your
boat before launching into any of Oregon’s waterways. 
	For more information on how to properly clean your boat and the
new aquatic invasive species boating laws, visit
http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/programs/09LawsFAQs.shtml and
http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/Clean/CleanTips.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
www.boatoregon.com
www.twitter.com/marineboard

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

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