• Salmon Fishery Claims Two Lives
• Safety, Preparation Urged for Boating Waterfowlers
• Marine Board Meets Oct. 12 in Hood River

Salmon Fishery Claims Two Lives

A popular fall salmon fishery - the "Triangle" at the mouth of Tillamook Bay - claimed two lives after a boating accident on Friday, Sept. 22. The fatalities usher in the fall fishing season – one that presents special hazards to boat anglers, according to the Oregon State Marine Board.

"This brings Oregon’s total number of boating fatalities to 11 this year, and we are just now entering the busy fall salmon seasons," said Paul Donheffner, Oregon State Marine Board Director. "We want to remind all boaters that these incredible opportunities are not without risk, and many of these fatalities can be prevented by taking basic precautions."

Tillamook and other fall fisheries are attractive because they offer prime access to large, hungry salmon, said Donheffner. "They also offer unique hazards. Several of Oregon’s jetties have portions submerged just below the waterline that pose a grave risk to boaters – a possible contributing factor to Friday’s accident," he said. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, eyewitness accounts indicate a wave may have unexpectedly broke over the submerged tip of the south jetty, capsizing the 23-foot fiberglass fishing boat. There were no bar restrictions and seas were generally calm.

Similar storm-damaged jetties exist at other bay entrances and may not be reflected on navigation charts. Even visible jetties can be a hazard - disabled fishing boats can quickly wash into jetties and be destroyed, capsized or grounded. Boaters should study charts and talk to local boaters, the Coast Guard or Marine Patrols and give wide berth to these potential hazards.

Donheffner notes that none of the people on the boat was wearing a life jacket, which has been the case in 10 of the 11 fatalities this year. "It’s critical that people wear life jackets when participating in these fisheries," he said. "Ocean conditions, bars and the areas just outside the bar are unpredictable. If you end up in the water, a life jacket will keep you afloat in rough water and slow the onset of hypothermia. Wearing a life jacket will add critical minutes to your life and will aid in your rescue."

For additional information on boating in estuary waters, check the Marine Board web site at www.boatoregon.com and follow the "Safe Boating" link to "Boating in Coastal Waters."

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Safety, Preparation Urged for Boating Waterfowlers

Waterfowl season opens Saturday, Oct. 7, in Oregon, and many hunters are dusting off camoflauged boats and outboard motors in preparation for the event. Duck hunting from a boat can be exciting, but it can also be hazardous. The Oregon State Marine Board offers the following suggestions.

First, make sure your motor is in good running order. Clean the motor of oil and grease, check spark plugs, fuel filter, gas and oil lines, vent hoses and make sure the gas tank has fresh gas in it. Check and/or change the oil in the lower unit. Start the motor to ensure that it operates properly and shifts correctly. Consider taking the engine to a professional for service.

Next, make sure your boat is safe. Check for dry rot in wooden and fiberglass boats – check joints and along chines – inside and out – and look for bulges under paint or fiberglass that indicates water damage. Make sure the drain plug is usable and cables and pulleys are corrosion free and work smoothly. Check all fittings below the waterline for cracks and make sure the bilge pump is functioning or that you have a bailing bucket on board.

Check that your boat is well equipped with appropriately sized life vests for each user and that the vests aren’t waterlogged, torn or deteriorating. You’ll need a throwable flotation device, too, a sound-making device such as a whistle or horn, and a visual distress signal if operating in coastal estuaries. Depending on your boat, you may need a fire extinguisher and other equipment - check regulations.

Another important safety feature are navigation lights. Any boat operating before sunrise or after sunset is required to have navigation lights. Many sporting goods stores or boat equipment stores carry clip-on lights.

Finally, don’t overload your boat or yourself. Decoys, dogs, guns, ammunition, camo netting and other equipment can quickly add up. Overloaded boats swamp and capsize easily and are difficult to operate. Load the boat evenly and avoid passenger movement that can easily tip a boat. "If you hunt from a boat, your odds of drowning are greater than being involved in a firearm accident," said Randy Henry, of the Marine Board. "Waterfowlers often wear bulky coats loaded down with heavy equipment that makes treading water difficult. Consider a good quality, camoflauge flotation coat, a camo inflatable life jacket or other type of life jacket designed for hunters. These new jackets are comfortable and increase your odds of surviving an accident."

"Watch the weather and know your waters, too. We had accidents last year where boat-blinds were capsized by strong wind and we had boats swamped by log jams on small channels," said Henry. "You spend a lot of time preparing for the hunt - spend a few extra minutes making sure it’s a safe hunt."

Marine Board Meets Oct. 12 in Hood River

Rules to implement the Mandatory Boater Education Program will go to the Oregon State Marine Board for final consideration at the next scheduled meeting on Thursday, Oct. 12, at the Hood River Inn in Hood River. The meeting will begin at 8:30 a.m.

HB 2977, passed by the 1999 Oregon Legislature, directed the Marine Board to develop rules to implement a testing and certification program for people operating powerboats greater than 10 horsepower. Proposed administrative rules were available for public comment from July 1 to August 31. The board held a series of four public meetings in August to gather additional public comment. The draft rules at the Oct. 12 meeting will reflect public comment gathered this summer. If adopted, rules will be implemented beginning January 1, 2001, though no certificates, called Boater Education Cards, will be required until 2003. For additional details on the program, or to review the draft administrative rules, check the Marine Board web site at www.boatoregon.com.

Other items on the agenda include:

• Consideration of motor restrictions on Floras Creek, Elk River, Pistol River, Sixes River and Winchuck River.
• Consideration of an extension of a personal watercraft pass-through zone on the lower Willamette River.
• Information reports from Facilities, Law Enforcement and Education Information programs.

The meeting is being held in a facility that is accessible for persons with disabilities. Persons needing some form of assistance to participate in this meeting due to a disability should contact Jill Andrick at (503) 373-1405, ext. 243, at least two working days prior to the meeting.

Persons wishing to address the board on non-agenda items may do so during a designated period at the start of the meeting.

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