The Oregon State Marine Board will be conducting marine law enforcement training in Forest Grove between May 1 and May 10, with the last three days (May 8-10) spent on nearby Henry Hagg Lake in Washington County. This training is for new or seasonal marine law enforcement officers who are new to boating laws, boat handling and water safety fundamentals.
This in-depth training encompasses boating law, navigation skills, knot tying, theft, patrol strategies, and even jumping into the deep end of the swimming pool with full utility gear on. “The pool training is eye-opening for some of the students,” said Randy Henry, Boating Safety Program Manager. “Last year, one officer went right to the bottom of the pool, pulled the cord to inflate his life jacket, and nothing happened. The CO2 canister wasn’t quite screwed in all the way. He was able to return to the surface, but with the additional weight, was heavily winded. It’s a cautionary tale for all boaters to make sure gear is serviced and ready to go.” Henry notes that divers and extra staff are on hand to ensure student safety.
The training also covers accident investigation and detecting and apprehending operators boating under the influence of intoxicants (BUII). At Hagg Lake, students will develop basic boat handling skills and participate in real-world scenarios that emphasize safety, courtesy, enforcement tactics, and accident prevention.
This academy is hosted by the Washington County Sheriff’s Office, along with highly skilled deputies from around the state taking an active role as instructors. Pool sessions will be conducted at the Forest Grove City Aquatic Center, 2300 Sunset Drive, in Forest Grove.
For more information about the Marine Board’s partnership with marine law enforcement, visit www.boatoregon.com.
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