[OSMB-News] News Release -Marine Law Enforcement Take On the Willamette River

[Massey, Ashley]

For Immediate Release                                    Date: Tuesday, April 22, 2014

Marine Law Enforcement Academy Recruits Take On the Willamette River
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              During the weeks of April 28-May 9, newly recruited marine deputies and troopers from around the state will converge in Clackamas County for the Marine Board's annual Marine Law Enforcement Academy.  Students will learn marine laws, boat handling in motorized and non-motorized boats, accident and theft investigations, search and rescue and practice administering field sobriety testing on boaters suspected of boating under the influence of intoxicants, among other drills. This year's academy will train 27 students from 15 counties, along with students from the Oregon State Police.
            "This marine academy is a very comprehensive hands-on training and really challenges students mentally and physically," says Dale Flowers, Law Enforcement Training Coordinator for the Marine Board.  The two week training covers everything from knot tying to self-rescue in full utility gear in a pool setting.  Students also learn about cold water immersion and hypothermia, first hand.  "We put the students in real-world situations," Flowers adds.
"When marine deputies are out on the water, they're our first line contacts with the boating public and serve as educators first, by explaining local safety issues and aim for compliance with marine laws, second.  But they also need to be prepared for any emergency the public faces while minimizing risk to their own lives."  The Marine Board contracts with 32 counties and Oregon State Police for marine law enforcement services and as a function of this partnership, the Marine Board provides the training and equipment, and marine law enforcement partners make sure everyone is safe, informed and prepared out on the water.
[cid:image004.jpg at 01CF5E26.42120880]This year's Marine Academy is being held in Clackamas County and hosted by Clackamas County Sheriff's Office.  Beginning May 2 through May 6, students will be conducting on-the-water scenarios and boat handling on the Willamette River between the Oregon City Falls and Hog Island.  Most of the boat handling drills will take place in the Cedar Oaks Lagoon and Clackamette Lagoon, near the confluence of the Clackamas and Willamette Rivers.  Scenario boats will be marked with large, blue numbers near the bow.  Some boats will be at anchor or beached on the shore.  Every attempt will be made to reduce training congestion with anglers in the area, but boaters are asked to stay clear of any boat or shore based operations.  Students and instructors will launch from Sportcraft Marina in the morning and remove vehicles and trailers to an alternate location to keep launching congestion to a minimum for the public.
The Marine Board thanks the Clackamas County Sheriff's Office for hosting the academy and Sergeant Steve Thoroughman, Deputy Morgan Gunther, Deputy Nate Thompson and Sheriff Craig Roberts for their commitment to marine training.
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Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
Ashley.massey at state.or.us<mailto:Ashley.massey at state.or.us>

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