Weekend Boating Regulation Reminders from the Oregon Marine Board
By Garrett Christensen on Friday, May 26th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
EASTERN OREGON – (Information from the Oregon Marine Board) With a long and hopefully temperate weekend just around the corner, plenty of Oregonians have outdoor recreation in their schedule. For those that are planning trips involving watercraft, be it a humble kayak or a top-of-the-line power boat, the Oregon Marine Board has few reminders on boating safety and regulations:
- “Boat Sober. Abstain from consuming marijuana, drugs, or alcohol, which impair judgment, reaction time, and coordination and cause dehydration. Boating demands sharp situational awareness.
- All children 12 and under are required to wear a life jacket when underway on all boats (motorized and nonmotorized). All boaters on Class III whitewater rivers are required to wear a life jacket.
- Be courteous to other boaters and share the waterway. Stage your gear in the parking lot or staging area regardless of your boat type. This makes launching faster and everyone around you happier.
- In Oregon, all boaters must take a boating safety course and carry a boating safety education card when operating a powerboat greater than 10 horsepower. Paddlers of non-motorized boats 10’ and longer are required to purchase a waterway access permit. The Marine Board also offers a free, online Paddling Course for boaters new to the activity.”
Further, the Marine Board also recommends boaters review the interactive boating access map, which displays rules and information for boat ramps and public waterways across the state.
