| OSMB News |
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| Date: Wed., August 15, 2007 |
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Remembering Past Board Member Don Christensen
For Immediate Release
On August 9, 2007 the Marine Board lost a past Board Member and a monumental boating safety advocate. Don Christensen served on the Marine Board from 1987 to 1996 and from 2000 to 2003. He is the first Board Member to serve three terms since the creation of Marine Board in 1959. For close to 35 years, Don instructed boating safety courses for the Marine Board and the U. S. Power Squadrons in Lincoln and Marion Counties. In 1992, Don was recognized by the Western States Boating Law Administrators with the Hollister Award for outstanding service in the field of boating safety.
Whether partnering with government agencies or encouraging students, Don relentlessly pursued developing laws and educating boaters, leaving in his wake a legacy. Two topics fueled his fire: VHF radio and navigation of commercial vessels. Don promoted being comfortable with a VHF radio and knowing the correct procedure for making a distress call. He would often say, “You need to be prepared for emergencies and know what to do. Every second counts.” In his Power Squadron boating course, he would bring in a VHF radio, and students would practice emergency scenarios so they’d be comfortable making a “mayday” call. When Don completed his third term with the Marine Board and was appointed to the Board of Maritime Pilots, he continued to work with the Marine Board to educate recreational boaters about “Operation Make Way ” on the Columbia River and Coos Bay. In partnership with law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Oregon Board of Maritime Pilots, the “Make Way ” program involved the enforcement of Federal Navigation “Rule 9,” so boaters would give-way to commercial vessels and avoid collisions.
On a personal level, Don also went the extra mile for students willing to learn. “Don would come into the Marine Board office for teaching supplies and do whatever he could to help a student grasp the material,” said Ashley Massey, Public Affairs Specialist for the Marine Board. “I remember having trouble with chart-plotting when I took his course. Don took time before class to work with me and patiently repeated the concepts I needed to grasp. By the end of the class, it became second nature to plot a course.” That kind of patience and enthusiasm typified Don’s attitude and devotion to the education of boaters.
The Statesman Journal recognized Don’s accomplishments and published an article in 2004 shortly after he completed his term on the Marine Board. When asked if there was anything he felt was unfinished, Don replied, “Working toward mandatory PFD wear. It might take another 15 to 20 years, but that’s my next crusade.” The 2007 Oregon Legislature heard arguments for a mandatory PFD wear law for recreational and commercial vessels that cross any river bar. Perhaps a new law won’t take as long as Don anticipated.
So onward to the next crusade Mr. Christensen. We will continue to strive for agency improvement and educating boaters about the splendor and freedom of being on the water safely.
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