Guest Blogger -Reminiscing 2016’s Summer Cruise on the Columbia River

Ken Tennefoss and Kramer with friends, cruising on a beautiful Oregon day.

-by Ken Tennefoss, Cruising Boat Oregon Advisory Team Member

We spent eleven days cruising the lower Columbia River from Portland to Astoria in our boat this summer.  What a wonderful time we had!  It is a trip we have made several times, and is one of our favorites.  I can’t think of too many other things I would rather be doing than sitting at the helm of Mucho Gusto on a summer day, motoring along one of the largest rivers in North America.

We are so fortunate to live in a state with such abundant recreational areas and variety of waterways.  Although the river levels were low, we were still able to find plenty of areas to anchor and play in with our water toys.  The fishing was good and the weather, for the most part, cooperated.

Bald eagle on the Columbia River.

We began our trip by heading down-stream from Portland on the Multnomah Channel.   We had only gone a couple of miles before we saw our first bald eagle, one of several we saw on our trip.  The salmon were running, so there were quite a few boats on the channel all plying for the “catch of the day.”  While we had to make course changes a few times to avoid getting too close to anglers, the cruise to St. Helens was uneventful and along the way we were able to watch a couple of anglers catch bright chinook salmon.

Over the first few days, we anchored with a few other boats in a peaceful backwater cove off the Columbia River, near Goble.  The water was warm and the company was fun.  One of the highlights is a quick dingy ride to the Goble store for an ice cream treat.   

Our next destination was to the waters behind Lord and Walker Islands, just a mile or so downstream from Rainier.  It’s a favorite spot for both water skiers and cruisers but on one particularly calm morning, I took some memorable pictures of a skier cutting across the mirror-like surface in the early morning sunrise.  Waterskiers seek out flatwater in back island areas that are protected from the wind and wave chop. 

Beautiful sunrise from the water.

Our next run down-stream was longer, cruising toward Cathlamet Bay, behind Tongue Point.  We anchored just in time to view a spectacular blazing sky of reds and pinks as the sun dipped behind the hills above Astoria. The next day, we explored the tidal flats which are a labyrinth of small channels and back waters that are ideal for exploring in a kayak or small boat. It’s easy to feel like Lewis and Clark, wondering what lies around the next turn.

I admit I sometimes take for granted this great recreation resource and forget that without proper management and funding, it could easily be lost.  Oregon is fortunate to have a single agency that regulates the waterways and also works with facility providers to ensure there’s boating access to the variety of waterways in the state.  Oregon’s State Marine Board is funded by boat title and registration fees and according to the agency’s web site, it’s mission is “Serving Oregon’s recreational boating public through education, enforcement, access, and environmental stewardship for a safe and enjoyable experience.”  I’ve come to recognize as a member of one of the Marine Board’s advisory teams, that boaters need to help by giving the Board feedback on our likes and dislikes, so they can continue to provide services and keep making Oregon a great place to play.  I encourage all users of our waters to let the OSMB know what they are doing right, as well as your thoughts on how they can make improvements.  That way, generations to come will have an opportunity to enjoy Oregon’s lakes, rivers, bays and ocean. 

By the way, if you want to share your thoughts or experiences on boating in Oregon, this OSMB blog is a great place to do that. It’s also a great place to go to read other people’s input.  If you’re not sure where to go or where to put in, the Marine Board has an interactive map on their website that shows where all the boat ramps are in the state.  This is a great place to start planning your summer adventures. 

-Ken Tennefoss

For more information about the Marine Board and to find a boat ramp near you, visit http://www.boatoregon.com.

 

 

 

Check the Forecast Before Heading Out

Fishing near Buoy 10 on the Columbia River.

Believe it or not, winter is still a great time to go boating in the Pacific Northwest.  There are many fishing and hunting opportunities, but it’s paramount to check the weather forecast before heading out.  It’s also imperative to keep monitoring NOAA weather on VHF radio Channel 16 or 1610 AM radio.

A great resource is the US Coast Guard’s Bar Observations website.  Any bar restrictions and conditions for Oregon and Washington are listed in real time.

Additionally, make sure you’re carrying the required equipment and consider purchasing/installing an EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon).  These radios alert search and rescue services in the event of an emergency.  It does this by transmitting a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency via satellite and earth stations to the nearest rescue center.  Some EPIRBs also have a built-in GPS which enables rescue services accurately within +/- 50 meters.   There are EPIRBS that can be installed in boats and can either be activated automatically or manually.  Personal Locator Beacons (hand held) are also an easy, less expensive option.

Also, check out the Marine Board’s Coastal Bar Chartlettes (mobile-ready) for known danger areas along Oregon’s coastal bars.

Be sure to have plenty of emergency back-up plans and play it safe, by planning ahead.

 

Obstruction on the McKenzie River Below Deer Creek

Fallen fir tree that lies bank-to-bank on the McKenzie River below Deer Creek. 44.237138, -122.059259

Lane County Marine Patrol reported a fallen fir tree that lays bank-to-bank on the McKenzie River below Deer Creek.

Paddlers can get through a narrow passage, however there are tree limbs that could lead to entanglement.

This is on US Forest Service land and their representatives contacted the Marine Patrol to assess the obstruction.  The Marine Patrol deemed this a potential hazard that warrants mitigation

The Forest Service will hire a contractor to cut the limbs and cut what they can of the trunk to allow for safe passage.

Marine Safety Alert -Navigation Lights and LED Decorative Lighting

Boaters should be concerned about “decorative” lighting on their boats in various places. LEDs interfere with navigation lighting.

Issued from the U.S. Coast Guard

The U.S. Coast Guard is concerned about the sale and availability of unapproved recreational and commercial vessel navigation lights. Purchasers of such lighting should be aware replacement lighting may be improper for its application due to the failure by manufacturers to meet technical certification requirements. Furthermore, technical advances in marine lighting, such as the use of Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs), rope lighting, underwater lighting, and other various types of decorative lighting, may violate navigation light provisions of the Nautical Rules of the Road.

The requirements for all navigation lights aboard vessels are prescribed in Rules 20, 21, 22 and Annex I of the “Rules of the Road,” which is the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (72 COLREGS) or the Inland Navigation Rules (33 CFR Subchapter E).

Specifications for lights vary depending upon the type of vessel but regardless of the light source (i.e., incandescent filament or LED):

• Recreational vessel and uninspected commercial vessel navigation lights must meet American Boat & Yacht Council (ABYC) standard A-16, in accordance with specifications within 33 CFR 183.810 and 46 CFR 25.10-3, respectively.
• Commercial inspected vessels must be outfitted with navigation lights that meet or exceed Underwriters Laboratories standard UL 1104, as stated in the specifications of 46 CFR 111.75 -17.

Some manufacturers are producing and distributing navigation lights that do not meet the certification requirements indicated above. These lights are typically less expensive, making them a tempting choice for uninformed consumers. Use of lights that do not provide the proper chromaticity, luminous intensity, or cut-off angles could result in the issuance of a notice of violation or potentially cause an accident. Recreational boaters should ensure each purchased navigation light contains the following information on the light or its packaging:

• USCG Approval 33 CFR 183.810
• MEETS ABYC A-16 or equivalent
• TESTED BY (an approved laboratory)
• Name of the light manufacturer
• Number of Model
• Visibility of the light in nautical miles
• Date on which the light was type-tested
• Identification and specification of the bulb used in the compliance test.
• Inspections and Compliance Directorate
• LEDs under rub rail surrounding vessel.

Boaters should be concerned about installing “decorative” lighting on their boats in various places, including underwater, on the rub rail, or just above the water line. Care must be taken that these lights:

• cannot be mistaken for navigation lights,
• do not impair the visibility or distinctive character of approved and properly placed navigation lights, and
• do not interfere with the operator’s ability to maintain a proper lookout. Such circumstances may represent a violation of Rule 20.

Rule 20 specifies that only those lights prescribed, or those that don’t interfere with those prescribed, may be used. Haphazard installation of additional lighting must be avoided. A violation can occur if the installation of additional lights can be construed as a light required by the Rules for another vessel. For instance, blue underwater LED lights can appear to be flashing if there is any wave action, giving the appearance of a flashing blue light only authorized to be used by law enforcement vessels per 33 CFR 88.05.

Rule 21 provides the definitions for the masthead light, sidelights, stern light, towing light, all-round lights or task lights, and flashing or special flashing lights. Task lights are those lights which place the vessel in a special condition (e.g., all-round red over white over red for a vessel with restricted maneuverability).

Rule 22 provides for the intensity requirements of each light, per vessel size, so that they may be seen at a minimum range. Annex I of the Rules, specifies the vertical and horizontal spacing of each of the required lights both in relation to the vessel hull and with respect to other navigation lights. Compliance with the provisions of Annex I ensures the light is properly mounted for its intended purpose. The proper installation of any light is critical to it being “U.S. Coast Guard Approved,” as required by Annex I (COLREGs, paragraph 14 and Inland, 33 CFR 84.20).

The Coast Guard strongly recommends that:

• boaters avoid purchase and installation of any light that does not present the required certification data, and
• retailers advise their customers to purchase certified navigation lights.

This Safety Alert is provided for informational purposes only and does not relieve any domestic or international safety, operational, or material requirement. This Alert has been developed by the U.S. Coast Guard’s Headquarters’ Offices of Navigation Systems, Auxiliary and Boating Safety, and Investigations and Casualty Analysis. For questions or concerns, please email cgnav@uscg.mil.

MSA_Navigation_Lights_2015

Winterization and Ethanol Blended Fuels

 

Ethanol blended fuels. 91% of surveyed boaters prefer non-ethanol fuel for their boats.

 By BoatUS and American Motorcyclist Association

The coming of cooler weather means an end to the boating and motorcycling season for many. Chiefly important in preparing these vehicles for winter is managing the potential for engine damage from the federally-mandated ethanol blend in our nation’s gasoline supply.

Ethanol in gasoline stored for long periods can damage marine and motorcycle engines: “phase separation” of the fuel can leave a corrosive water-soaked ethanol mixture at the bottom of the gas tank. Half of the respondents of a recent Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatU.S.) survey reported that they have had to replace or repair their boat engine or fuel system parts due to suspected ethanol-related damage, costing an average $1,000 for repairs. 

To prevent ethanol problems over the winter, boats with built-in gas tanks should have fuel stabilizer added and the tank left nearly full. E10 fuel remaining in small portable gas tanks (and not pre-mixed with 2-stroke engine oil) should be poured into your car’s gas tank and used quickly. Same goes for motorcycles – store full with stabilizer or drain completely.

So how did ethanol get into our gas? Signed into law in 2005 and expanded in 2007, the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requires an increasing amount of biofuels such as corn ethanol to be blended into the gasoline supply. However, the ethanol mandate has failed to achieve promised consumer and environmental benefits.

In addition to winter storage and engine repair concerns, ethanol-blended fuel is actually worse for our air and water. According to research from the University of Tennessee, ethanol’s “clean alternative” record is “highly questionable.” The 2014 federal National Climate Assessment reported that ethanol production can require 220 times more water than gasoline.

Ninety-one percent of those surveyed by BoatU.S. prefer non-ethanol fuel for their boats. An AMA-commissioned poll found that 78 percent of all voters – not just motorcycle owners – have “very serious concerns about E15 use” and 70 percent oppose increasing the amounts of ethanol blended into gasoline.

But the Environmental Protection Agency ignores the public’s concerns and continues to increase the amount of ethanol required to be blended in our nation’s gas. Even though it’s illegal to use E15 (15 percent ethanol by volume) in marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, lawnmowers, and any vehicle made before 2001, E15 can now be found in 24 states. Using E15 in many vehicles on the road today will void the manufacturer’s warranty.

With a recent $100 million USDA grant made available to subsidize the installation of blender pumps at gas stations throughout the country, access to ethanol-free gas may soon be more difficult, leading to even more cases of inadvertent mis-fueling and engine damage.

Thankfully, Congress is considering bipartisan legislation to repeal the ethanol mandate, but the question remains whether our legislators will protect consumers and our environment by eliminating the ethanol mandate.

###

Rob Dingman is the President and CEO of the American Motorcyclist Association, America’s largest motorcycling organization and Margaret Podlich is the President of the Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nation’s largest recreational boat owner advocacy, service and safety group.

 

New Marine Board Member Selected

Jas. Adams, newest member to join the Marine Board.

Agency staff would like to “Welcome Aboard” our newest Board member, Jas Adams.  Jas. fills the seat of former member, Jean Quinsey.  His term on the Board began in October runs through June, 2019.

Jas. Adams is an adjunct law professor at Willamette University College of Law, where he has taught Wildlife Law since 2002. Jas. also teaches Administrative Law and will teach an advanced legal writing seminar course offered in the spring of 2016. A graduate of Reed College and Boalt Hall Law School, Jas. focused on environmental and natural resource law for much of his legal career. He retired from the Oregon Attorney General’s Office in 2014.

In the 2011 session, Jas. conceived and helped Legislative Counsel draft HB 3399, which created an administrative search model to allow mandatory roadside inspection and decontamination stations for aquatic invasive species (AIS), without criminal liability for those motorists cooperating with the check stations when transporting injurious wildlife. For this achievement he was a recipient of the Oregon Invasive Species’ Council’s award entitled the “Ten Fingers in the Dikes” award for governmental contributions to invasive species control.

As a representative of the Oregon Attorney General in 2013-2014, Jas. served as a member of a national working group to craft model state provisions to help overcome the patchwork of state and local laws on invasive species. He was a featured speaker on AIS at the June, 2014 annual meeting of the National Association of Attorneys General on Mackinac Island in Michigan.

Jas. was also involved on behalf of the Oregon State Marine Board in responding to challenges to the Marine Board’s administrative rule prohibiting internal combustion motorboats and seaplanes on Waldo Lake.

In addition to his new role on the Marine Board, Jas. also serves on the Department of Environmental Quality’s Ballast Water Task Force and is also an appointed member of the Oregon Invasive Species Council.

Boating is at the heart of how Jas. experiences the outdoors, and he has been an avid canoeist for 30 years. It all began with exploring the inland lakes on Sauvie Island (the largest freshwater island west of the Mississippi River, with its own river flowing into the Multnomah Channel). Jas. learned to sail on Lido 14’s at a University Sailing Club in his early 20’s and learned to sail larger boats on the Columbia River a few years later.

Jas. currently owns a vintage 28′ sailboat with inboard diesel engine, which he keeps on the Columbia River in a cooperative boat club, where he also serves as Clubhouse Chair.  With friends he has sailed up the Washington coast, in the San Juan and Gulf Islands, on the eastern seaboard and in the Bahamas.  He has sailed his sailboat from Astoria to Hood River and he recounts that he greatly values the tremendous recreational resource of the mighty Columbia River.

Jas. and his wife, Diane Rosenbaum, canoe in his 16.5′ lightweight Malecite canoe, modeled after a birch-bark tribal design.  They have canoed on many lakes throughout Oregon, including Waldo Lake, and also extensively in British Columbia and Washington, including the Bowron Lake Chain. Jas. joined colleagues on a recent trip to Montana’s Missouri Breaks, mentioned in Meriwether Lewis’s journal written on the Lewis & Clark Expedition.  Jas. has also rafted on the lower Owyhee River and the Deschutes and Rogue Rivers.

Jas. notes that his primary objective in serving on the Marine Board is to help it make sound policy decisions that impact the future of recreational boating in Oregon.  We’re very excited to have Jas on the Board for all of his knowledge and experience, in addition to the perspectives he will bring forward representing boaters in the state.

Marine Board members are confirmed by the Senate, appointed by the Governor and serve four year terms.  The Board members serve at the pleasure of the Governor and the agency Director reports directly to the Marine Board.  All members are volunteers (non-paid positions) from the general public with a background in Oregon boating. 

 

Got Boating Pictures?

Boaters enjoying the whitewater rapids on the McKenzie River.

…We could use them!

The Oregon State Marine Board is in the process of re-designing BoatOregon.com and is filling the website with much needed modern boating pictures, but the agency needs boaters’ help. The agency is showcasing boating activities -of all kinds.

“We want the re-designed website to be easy to navigate, easy for boaters to find the information they seek and also tie in photos of friends and family having fun on the water. Every type of activity is needed, from wakeboarding to stand up paddle boarding,” says Ashley Massey, Public Information Officer for the Marine Board. “There are so many fabulous boating experiences to be had in Oregon, and what better way to highlight those experiences than from the people doing them?”

The Marine Board is asking boaters to submit their favorite boating pictures.   “In addition to the new website, photos will also be added to our social media sites such as Instagram and Facebook, and demonstrating safe behavior is always what we hope for in pictures,” Massey adds. A copywrite agreement is supplied on the submission form that needs to be read and agreed to by the person sending the photo(s).

The agency plans on launching the new website in conjunction with the Portland Boat Show, in January. The Marine Board’s website will be complete with new integrated features, a consolidated storefront with all of the agency’s services for online transactions (with no processing fee), interactive maps and forms, and apps that will make it easy to comply with regulations and get on the water quickly.

Guidelines:

• Photos must have been taken by you personally, in Oregon.
• By submitting a photo, you agree that the photo(s) can be used by OSMB on its website and in other promotional products or websites.
• If there are people in the photo, get permission from them before you submit photo.
• Only HIGH RESOLUTION photos, at least 1 megabyte, will be accepted.

Submission:

Submit your photo(s) at https://osmb.wufoo.com/forms/boat-oregon-photo-submission-form/

 

Santiam River Levels Expected to Keep Dropping -Reservoir Ramps Unusable

 

Drift boating on the North Santiam River.

PORTLAND, Ore. – The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers alerts boaters and other recreation users that Detroit and Green Peter reservoirs on the North and Middle Santiam rivers are likely to recede below their minimum conservation elevations as early as next week.

The Corps usually tries to hold water levels near those elevations throughout the winter. Going below them will put the Mongold low-water boat ramp at Detroit Reservoir and the Thistle Creek low-water boat ramp at Green Peter Reservoir out of service.

At the same time, the Corps is starting its usual drawdown of Foster Reservoir on the South Santiam River to its winter elevation, which will put the Calkins Park and Gedney boat ramps and Edgewater Marina out of service. The Sunnyside Park low-water ramp should still be usable through the winter.

“We have been working closely with our partners to release the absolute minimum water from these reservoirs needed to meet our water supply and fish and wildlife missions,” said Laurie Nicholas, chief of the Reservoir Regulation and Water Quality Section for the Corps’ Portland District. “Those releases, unfortunately, still exceed inflows by a fairly large amount.”

Nicholas said the Corps does not expect problems meeting its downriver water management missions this fall, but that may change the longer the region goes without significant rainfall.

For current Willamette Basin reservoir levels and river flows, visit http://go.usa.gov/3e5qz.

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers operates 13 dam and reservoir projects in the Willamette Basin. Each dam contributes to a water resource plan designed to provide flood damage reduction, power generation, irrigation, water quality improvement, fish and wildlife habitat, recreation and navigation on the Willamette River and many of its tributaries. For more information, visit http://go.usa.gov/3e5rF.

Willamette, Columbia Rivers Expected to Hit Lowest Levels Since 2001

Impulses Happen with Hot Weather, But…

A young man enjoys floating the Barton-Carver stretch on the Clackamas River. He was prepared with a life jacket and whistle…and plenty of water and energy drinks.

“Know before you go,” “Scout ahead,” and “Proper planning.”  These phrases ring true, however when high temperatures are added to the mix, our natural impulses to cool off in a nearby waterway are hard to ignore.   Especially if you don’t have air conditioning!  But those impulses can be dangerous.  High rocks, anyone?  Combine alcohol, dehydration, and social pressure to the mix and there’s a high probability for tragedy.

Not to be a stick in the mud, but cooling off and great memories can happen with just a few minutes of research and getting your bearings before “jumping in.”  Do you know how the waterbody was formed?  All reservoirs are man-made, so you can count on steep drop-offs and tree stumps (Dramatic Hagg Lake Drop Offs -KOIN News).  With low water levels from this historic drought, you can also count on the banks being unstable.  (Insert the voice in your head about wearing a life jacket -but who wears those when its hot out?).

Low water levels mean the water is warmer and there’s less current, right?  Not necessarily.  It depends on the waterbody.  Reservoirs were once just rivers.  When the water level drops, they take on their original dynamics.  Rivers constantly change.  In a river without any obstructions, the water moves the fastest at the surface and slower near the bottom.  But how many rivers exist without obstructions?  Here are some examples of how the current changes in streams and rivers:

• Eddies are created behind an obstruction as water fills in the void behind it.  The current is actually moving upstream.   This creates a “swirling” motion of the water and can entrap boats (and people).
• Hydraulics are another dynamic, where water flows over an obstruction where a depression is formed behind it.  The water fills in the void, creating an upstream flow toward the obstruction, pinning boats (and people).  A low head dam is a perfect example of a hydraulic.
• Riffles are shallow areas where the water flows at a slower velocity but a higher turbulence (current appears faster) and are usually caused by an increase in a river or stream’s slope or an obstruction in the water.  Deeper pools generally form downstream of a riffle where the current will change once again.

Another hot spell is upon us.  People will be spontaneous and grab their pool toys, pack their coolers and head to the nearest river.  The water will be shallow and appear calm.  Very inviting.  But take 60 seconds and scope out the river.  Ask people who’ve been out there if there’s anything they need to be aware of.  Pack lots of hydrating drinks and stash your trash.  Most of all, take a craft that was designed for a river, like an inflatable boat that has thicker material, multiple air chambers and has oars or paddles.  Carry your life jackets and have a sound-producing device on board, like a whistle.  Better yet, wear your life jacket and have a whistle attached!  Use your oars or paddle to maneuver well in advance of a root wad or fallen tree.  People fall out of inner tubes and pool toys all the time when they feel really relaxed…and the devices will float away faster than a person can swim to catch them.  Add heat exhaustion, dehydration, and fitness level into account, and this could put your muscles into full-on cramp mode.  And that’s how people get into trouble.  It doesn’t matter how good of a swimmer you are.

The Marine Board wants you to have fun out there.  Get relief from the heat.  But be smart.  Plan and scout ahead.  Know before you go.  Definitely “look” before you “leap.”  But remember…whatever the outcome of your day on the water, it all comes down to the decisions you make.

Read the river…

Lake Billy Chinook Saturation Patrol Yields BUII, Other Offenses

A few things to note in this image: drinking while operating a boat and a child not wearing a life jacket. It is against Oregon boating law for an operator to be impaired and for children under 13 to not be wearing a properly fitting, US Coast Guard approved life jacket.

Staff from the Marine Board and marine patrols from Jackson, Jefferson, Klamath, Marion, Lane and Multnomah County combined their on-water patrol efforts on Lake Billy Chinook during the weekend of August 7-8, which resulted in improved safety and “education through enforcement.”

Lake Billy Chinook is a popular destination for Oregon natives and out-of-state boaters as well. The nearly-guaranteed perfect weather and boating conditions attract boaters, and with the added bonus of having a plethora of open operating space, many boaters forget the basic rules and responsibilities when operating with other recreationists.

The coordinated effort sought compliance for safety equipment, safe operation, and sober boating. The efforts paid off, and for many, the lesson was costly.

During the weekend, the following citations were issued:

• Boating under the influence of intoxicants (BUII) – potential A misdemeanor violation
• Unsafe operation (excessive speed, coming too close to other craft or floating objects)
• Not having proper equipment for the length/type of boat (life jackets, sound producing devices, fire extinguishers
• Non-compliance with personal watercraft operating rules (speed and proximity)
• Lack of proper nighttime navigation lighting. Many boaters were at anchor with no lighting, and towing skiers/tubers after dusk.
• Riding on bows, decks or gunwhales
• Not having skier down flags or other waterskiing, surfboarding or similar activity’s safety rules
• Not having a boater education card or aquatic invasive species permit
• Improper display of numbers or not carrying a certificate of number (similar to a car registration).

Complying with existing laws is for everyone’s safety. Anyone operating a motorboat over 10 horse power is required to take a boating safety course and carry their boater education card when operating their boat. When renting, customers are required to complete a dockside safety checklist and all of the same operating rules apply. Rental facilities need to ensure that all customers understand what to do to be safe by going through the checklist carefully.

At the end of the weekend, 52 citations were issued, with the majority involving unsafe operation and improper lighting. It’s important that all boaters play by the rules, for safety’s sake. Fortunately, there were no reported accidents during this targeted operation.

To learn about boating regulations, visit http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/BoatLaws/Pages/Regulations.aspx.

The Marine Board’s website also contains a flip book called, “Experience Oregon Boating –Safety, Regulations and How-To’s for Fun Boating,” explaining each regulation and why it’s important. The flip-book is mobile friendly. The flip-book is also mobile friendly to easily access information at your fingertips. Other requirements, such as the boater education card and aquatic invasive species, both aim to educate boaters about safe boating behavior, which begins the minute a boat hits a parking lot in the boating facility to the time it leaves.

To view a list of fines for particular offenses, visit http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/BoatLaws/docs/BailSchedule.pdf.

###