For Immediate Release

Date: Nov. 23, 2004

Boating Citations Focus on PWC Operators

Oregon's mandatory boater education compliance statistics for the 2004 boating season are in. Of the 587 citations issued this season to boaters not carrying a boater education card, 49 percent were operators of personal watercraft, such as Jet Skis and Wave Runners. However, PWCs make up only about seven percent of Oregon's registered boats.

"We understand that the bulk of these citations went to people who borrowed the craft," said Tony VanMeter, Oregon State Marine Board law enforcement training coordinator. "The owner of a PWC needs to take responsibility for ensuring that all operators of their craft have met the education requirement for operating a watercraft. New operators are statistically the most at risk because most PWC accidents occur within the first 10 hours of operation. If a PWC is being loaned to a friend or relative who doesn't know what the regulations are and then violates them, they will be cited."

Ashley Massey, education coordinator for the Marine Board, said a new online safety course should help. "We have recently approved a new Internet course specifically for PWC operators called 'PWC Safety School.com'," said Massey. "This course meets our mandatory education requirement and teaches safe, courteous and responsible operation. All PWC operators should take advantage of this or other approved courses so we can reduce accidents and citations issued to these operators."

The new PWC course, other courses and general boating information is available at the Marine Board website, www.boatoregon.com.

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