The Oregon State Marine Board, in partnership with 31 county sheriff’s offices and the Oregon State Police, will be looking for expired boat registrations and required equipment compliance on state waterways as part of a second round of “Operation Ship Shape.”
“The agency leverages technology to improve boating safety as we can see boater compliance geospatially in real-time where our marine law enforcement partners are patrolling,” says Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board. “This data helps the agency work with our law enforcement partners for enhanced patrols in locations where there’s low compliance. Make sure you’ve renewed your registration and put the decals on your boat correctly, or you could face a $265 citation.”
Any boat powered by a motor – electric, gas, diesel, and all sailboats 12 feet and longer must be currently registered when on the water, even when docked or moored. This includes any kayaks and drift boats with an electric motor. Paulsen added, “Each current boat registration brings in additional funding beyond the registration dollars which go back to boaters in the form of services such as life jacket loaner stations or boat ramp access improvements.”
Paddlers with boats 10 feet and longer must carry a Waterway Access Permit. Three permit options are available: One week for $5, one calendar year for $17, and two calendar years for $30. Permit revenue goes into a dedicated fund for grants to eligible applicants to develop or improve nonmotorized access and on-water education programs specific to paddlers’ needs.
Marine officers will also be looking for the required safety equipment. “Life jackets are the most important safety equipment boaters must carry, and there must be enough on board that properly fit every passenger,” Paulsen adds. “Looking at the boating fatalities so far this year, almost all the victims were not wearing a life jacket. Even though life jackets are required to be worn for kids 12 and younger, if everyone wore one, we’d see significantly fewer recreational boating deaths.” In 2023, 11 out of 13 victims were not wearing a life jacket.
Boaters can renew their registration or purchase Waterway Access Permits through the agency’s Boat Oregon Store for the fastest service. After completing their online transaction, boaters with motorized boats can print off a temporary permit. Waterway Access Permits can be printed directly after purchase. Multiple purchases can be made under one online transaction. The agency’s online store has a $1.50 portal provider fee. If you need assistance online, please contact the Marine Board at marine.board@boat.oregon.gov or call 503-378-8587. There's also an online help page acclimating new users to the store.
For any titling and registration questions, visit Boat.Oregon.gov and click on the Title & Registration tab at the top of the page.
The Oregon State Marine Board is urging people operating stand up paddleboards (SUPs) on moving water (primarily rivers) to always wear a life jacket and never wear an ankle or leg leash designed for general flatwater use.
"There’s an emerging trend when we look at the causes for fatalities in recent years where a person, otherwise well outfitted, died because their leash to the SUP became entangled in brush or other debris on area rivers," said Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board. "Most ankle leashes used by SUP users are not designed for quick release. If you get it tangled on rocks or downed trees, the leash could hold you underwater."
Most SUPs are equipped with a leash so the paddleboard can stay within reach if the user falls off. On a lake or other still water, this is an excellent safety tool when used in conjunction with a life jacket. On moving water though, the leash can be deadly. "Quick-release leashes are available and designed specifically for moving water. It's worn around the waist or can attach to the life jacket. Leashes attached to a jacket are easier for the paddler to grab and deploy," says Paulsen.
2024 is shaping up to be another high-fatality boating year. In June there were six fatalities and four so far this month. Combined with one in January, there have been 11 recreational boating fatalities. Tragically, many were preventable, had the operator taken a basic safety precaution, like wearing a life jacket.
"SUPs are very popular, available at big box stores, provide access to local waterways and are a lot of fun," says Paulsen. "But understanding the basics is crucial." Paulsen suggested people review safety information for SUPs and visit the Marine Board’s Paddling page for trip planning, with safety in mind. There’s also a FREE online paddling course in both English and Spanish that covers basic strokes, different environmental conditions to consider, and safety equipment.
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The Oregon State Marine Board will conduct its week-long jet boat training on the Rogue River during the week of July 15 – July 19. This intensive course focuses on boat operation, marine law, swift water rescue, and boat trailering. Students who attend the Marine Board’s Whitewater Jet Boat Training bring a range of skills from the novice operator to advanced operator.
“We’re aiming to have a minimal impact on other waterway users by operating in different stretches each day,” says Eddie Persichetti, Marine Law Enforcement Training Coordinator for the Marine Board. “There can be a dozen or more boats with students learning and practicing and we want to other folks out on the water to feel comfortable knowing their activities won’t be interrupted by training operations.”
In addition to boat handling exercises in whitewater conditions, students will also learn how to disassemble, service and reassemble jet pumps, learn how to read the river to identify safe passages, and learn anchoring and chocking techniques. “This kind of training is so important because fast action and skill can mean the difference between a saved life -or not,” Persichetti says.
Training will occur in the following river stretches:
- Monday, July 15: Gold Beach to Lobster Creek
- Tuesday, July 16: Gold Beach to Colemans Corner
- Wednesday, July 17: Gold Beach to Agness
- Thursday and Friday, July 18-19: Gold Beach to Agness
The Marine Board contracts with 31 Sheriff’s Offices and the Oregon State Police for marine law enforcement services, including search and rescue operations, and boating safety education. Contracts with the County Sheriff’s Offices are paid for through motorboat registrations and titling fees.
For more information about the Marine Board and law enforcement services, visit http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/BoatLaws/pages/index.aspx.
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The Oregon State Marine Board will convene its quarterly meeting in Salem on July 24, 2024. The meeting will be held at the Marine Board office, 435 Commercial St., NE. in Salem, beginning at 8:30 am.
The Board agenda includes the following items:
- Director’s Report
- Public Outreach Discussion
- Outfitter Guide Legislative Concept Discussion, for Board Approval
- 2025-2027 Agency Budget, for Board Approval
- Oregon’s Kitchen Table, Upper Rogue River Process Update
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 written or oral testimony, register with Jennifer Cooper no later than 5 pm on July 21, 2024. 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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The Oregon State Marine Board wants to remind boaters that it’s state law to help and render aid in cases where another boat is swamped, capsizes or is involved in another incident with property damage or personal injury. It’s also about being a “good neighbor” on the water.
Failure to fulfill the duties of the boat operator (ORS 830.475) could result in a Class A misdemeanor citation. In cases where the boat operator leaves the scene of a boat accident where there is personal injury or death, the boater may be charged with a Class C felony.
“Boaters need to pay close attention to other people recreating on the water around them, and in many cases, everyday boaters become heroes when others go overboard, helping avert further tragedy,” said Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board.
Oregon’s waterways are increasingly congested, but everyone has the same right to recreate. Please be mindful and remember to share the waterways while recreating responsibly.
Learn more about the Marine Board, the agency’s programs and marine law enforcement partners.