Marine Board’s Boating Safety Advocate Program Is Underway For The Boating Season (Photo) -05/08/25

The Oregon State Marine Board is amplifying its education and outreach program to meet boaters where they are, on the water and in Oregon communities. The agency’s seasonal boating safety advocates (BSAs) are already making a splash across Oregon, interacting with the public at schools, popular waterways, and other community events to promote boating and water safety.

 

“This program emphasizes the Marine Board's commitment to modernizing boating safety education and outreach,” says Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board. “We are focused on decreasing boating fatalities in Oregon. So many incidents are preventable and come down to education, understanding the risks, and having the right safety equipment for the activity. The BSAs will help reinforce how to play it safe.”

 

The BSA positions are not regulatory in nature but collect informal field data related to boating activities for safety and compliance. Advocates are approachable, and boaters are encouraged to share their passions and perspectives. “Engaging with boaters on waters across the state creates an opportunity to have conversations and learn what the agency can do to serve boaters better,” Paulsen adds. “BSAs are also eyes and ears for agency staff to help us gather observational data when they are out on the water.”

 

Learn more about the Marine Board’s Boating Safety Advocates and recreational boating in Oregon at Boat.Oregon.gov.

 

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Marine Board Accepts Petition For Siletz River -04/24/25

The Oregon State Marine Board held its quarterly hybrid meeting in Salem at the agency’s office and via Microsoft Teams on April 24, 2025. The meeting agenda was mostly informational for the Board: boat operations and park access to Lake Oswego, update on abandoned derelict vessel removals on the Willamette River with allocated America’s Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, and a primer on mini-jet boats.

 

In its only decision-making item, the Board accepted a petition by the Siletz Tribes to consider rulemaking to prohibit the use of motors above Jack Morgan Park on the Siletz River. The use of a jet pump drive is currently prohibited. The Board accepted the petition and opened the rulemaking process, which included convening a rule advisory committee with a balance of representatives and agency partners to share perspectives and aid in developing proposed rule language or finding other creative solutions. The Board asked for staff to report back for its October meeting.  

 

To view the meeting replay and materials, visit the Marine Board’s Public Meetings page.
 

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Marine Board Meeting April 24 In Salem -04/15/25

The Oregon State Marine Board will hold its quarterly board meeting on April 24 beginning at 8:30 am at the agency’s office, 435 Commercial St. NE, Suite 400, in Salem.

 

Several items will be presented as informational only. The agency received a petition on the Siletz River, which will be the only item for discussion and a board vote.

 

The agenda items are:

• Director’s Agency Report
• ARPA (American Rescue Plan Act) Update on Abandoned Derelict Vessels
• Lake Oswego Update                                                                                        
• Mini Jet Boats Overview                                                                                  
• Siletz River Petition (Action: Option to open rulemaking)

 

Public comments for this meeting will be accepted in writing or by attending the public comment portion at the beginning of the hybrid meeting. To provide oral testimony, register with Jennifer Cooper no later than 5 pm on April 21, 2025. Written public comments will also be accepted by the end of the day on April 21, 2025. Register to speak or send written comments to jennifer.cooper@boat.oregon.gov or by U.S. Mail to Oregon State Marine Board, Attn: Jennifer Cooper, 435 Commercial St NE Ste 400 Salem, OR 97301.

 

To view the agenda and board materials and for a link to the meeting live stream, visit the agency’s Public Meetings page. Meetings are conducted using Microsoft Teams and viewing may require the installation of a free Teams app for mobile devices.

 

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