For Immediate Release

Date: Monday, Aug. 25, 2003

Labor Day Boating Crowds Large, Caution Urged

"It's going to be a great weekend," says Jefferson County Marine Patrol Sgt. Marc Heckathorn. Lake Billy Chinook, near Madras in Jefferson County, is a perennial contender for the "State's Busiest Waterbody" award. Heckathorn, like other marine officers in Oregon, expects healthy crowds of boaters on Labor Day Weekend.

"August is our highest-use time of the year and it typically peaks on Labor Day weekend," says Heckathorn. His summer has been busy managing the diverse crowds of water skiers, personal watercraft riders and anglers at the popular reservoir.

Labor Day Weekend is one of the top three boating weekends of the year at many Oregon waterbodies. "On the coast, thousands of boaters are looking for salmon at Buoy 10 near Astoria, and effort in Nehalem Bay, Tillamook and other coastal estuaries is picking up, too," says Randy Henry, information representative for the Oregon State Marine Board. "Forest fires have become an issue in recent days at certain high lakes, so check ahead to make sure your travel route is open. Most lakes in the state are in good shape, but some reservoirs are beginning to drop. We post up-to-date reservoir access information on our website at www.boatoregon.com. There is plenty of good boating available for this Labor Day. We hope people get out and enjoy it - we just hope they do it safely."

Marine officers will be out in force to assist boaters, keep the peace and look for violations. "The top violations this summer involve life jackets, boater education cards, boat registration, boat speed and alcohol," says Henry. He suggests the following checklist to stay safe and legal this Labor Day weekend.

• Each boat must have an appropriately sized life jacket for each person on board. It needs to be in good shape and must be readily accessible - not under a hatch or in a bag. And remember, all youth 12 and younger must wear the life jacket when in the boat.
• Carry your boater education card. All people 30 and younger operating a boat greater than 10 hp, and youth 12-15 operating any size powerboat, must carry a boater education card or temporary permit. Adults 16 or older without a card can operate the boat but only if another adult who has a card is in the boat supervising. Youth 12-15 need to be supervised by a card-holding adult when operating boats greater than 10 hp.
  
• Make sure your boat registration is current. Contact your local boat registration agent to update your registration.
• Slow down. Always obey the 5-mph, slow-no-wake buoys or signs. Remember also that you must slow down within 200 foot of a boat ramp, marina or moorage with six or more vessels, floating home moorage with six or more structures, or people working at water level.
• Number display. The "OR" numbers on your boat must be displayed in a specific manner. Numbers must be three inches tall with two inches between each letter or number grouping and three-quarter inch between each character. They must be placed on the front half of the craft, be in a contrasting color to the hull and be easily visible. For details, check the Marine Board website at www.boatoregon.com/Registration/ORDisplay.html.
• Boating and Alcohol. Officers will be looking for intoxicated boat operators. If arrested, a violator can be fined $5,000, lose boating privileges for up to three years and even serve jail time. The Marine Board encourages boaters to leave the alcohol at camp or at home.

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