For Immediate Release

Date: March 18, 2003

BoatOregon Website Offers Boat Registration

Oregon boaters can now renew their boat registration online via the Oregon State Marine Board's website at www.boatoregon.com. The new service is called "RegLine."

"We are pleased to announce this new service for boaters," said Janess Eilers, Registration Program Manager for the Oregon State Marine Board. "The system is simple, safe and secure. More than 200 boaters have used the system since it went online March 7."

Boaters can still renew their registration via mail or by visiting a registration agent or the Oregon State Marine Board office in Salem. "This is just one more option available to boaters," said Eilers. "It's a very friendly, efficient design, but it doesn't replace the other traditional options."

The service was created in partnership with Internet software developer Code-It. The partnership is a first-of-its kind in state government, adhering to rigorous standards set by the Dept. of Administrative Services. "This is a public-private partnership – the Marine Board had no up-front contract fees to develop the site, and the vendor benefits from the business opportunity," said Eilers. Code-It acts as a registration agent for on-line transactions, accepting the one-dollar transaction fee as payment for the product.

When boaters renew their registration on line, they print out a coded 30-day temporary permit/receipt, which they carry on their boat until their validation decals arrive in the mail. "If you realize Friday night that your registration's expired, you can use the registration renewal reminder card we mailed to you, enter your pin number, pay your fee and print out your temporary permit in just a few minutes," said Eilers. "You're ready to go boating Saturday morning."

Eilers said the response has been positive, but one of the main questions from users is security. "This site uses industry-standard security so your personal and payment information is fully encrypted during the transaction. If you renew using this system, expect to see your decals within 10 working days. If they are late, call the Marine Board to verify the transaction."

To use the online registration, boaters need to have received a Registration Renewal Card, mailed in early March, which includes the information to log onto the system. To register a boat for the first time, the boater must still visit a registration agent to present the title and proof of ownership.

The Marine Board's website also features registration and titling forms that boaters can printed, fill out and send through the mail. "Another popular feature on the site is the Online Boating Guide," said Eilers. "You can get information on any of Oregon's boating access sites statewide. With RegLine and the Boating Guide, it's now a full-service web site."

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