|
Safe boating takes practice and preparation, but
it's not complicated. Most drownings are preventable!
The
Multnomah County Sheriff's Office River Patrol is dedicated to making
the more than 100 miles of County waterways safe and enjoyable for
all types of boaters and water enthusiasts. We serve boaters through
marine law enforcement, Search and Rescue and boating safety education.
-
All children 12 and younger must wear a life vest when in a boat
underway. 90% of Oregon's boating fatalities occur because the
victim wasn't wearing a life jacket. Check this link
for information on choosing a life jacket and wearing it properly.
Not convinced? Check these accident
statistics and see for yourself.
- All
boats must carry at least one U.S. Coast Guard-approved personal
flotation device (PFD) for every person aboard. Such devices must
be in serviceable condition. They must not have any rips, tears,
or broken straps. All devices must also be kept readily accessible
for use in an emergency situation. Personal flotation devices
in a plastic bag or in a storage compartment are not readily accessible
-
Alcohol is involved in approximately 30 percent of boating fatalities
in Oregon each year. Most fatalities occur from falls overboard,
not collisions as occurs in motor vehicles. The effects of alcohol
are significantly more severe while boating. Oregon's BUII laws
apply to motorized and non-motorized watercraft alike. Remember,
in a raft, everyone with a paddle is an operator.
If you are found to be boating under the influence, you…
-
could face fines of up to $6,250 and up to a year in jail,
-
must complete a boating safety class,
-
can lose your boat operation privileges for a period of time,
-
can have boat your registrations suspended for up to three
years.
-
Hot temperatures outside don't mean warm water! The currents in
our river ways are very swift, with lots of debris underneath.
Our river temperatures remain cold year round averaging around
60 degrees in the Willamette and Columbia Rivers and around 50
degrees in the Sandy River.
|
