Page 17 - Experience Oregon Boating Handbook

Boating Regulations

Numbering Unsafe operation. (ORS 830.305) • Water skiing or towing devices from sunset
Operation that endangers or would likely to sunrise.
Certificate of Number required. endanger a person or property. Example of
(ORS 830.770) To operate a sailboat 12’ violation: Your boat wake causes a canoe to • Operation of towing boat or other devices
or more in length or any motorboat, nearly capsize. that may lead to potential collision of water
an operator must carry a valid signed skier with a person or object.
Certificate of Number on the boat. Reckless operation. (ORS 830.315(1))
It is a crime to operate a boat carelessly • Water skiing while under the inf luence of
Identifying number must be visible. in willful disregard of others. Example of intoxicants.
(ORS 830.780) A boat must have the violation: Pulling a skier through an area
identifying number; e.g., “OR 123 AB”; where swimmers are present in spite of the • Towing skier (including on a PWC)without
displayed on each side of the boat’s forward boat exclusion buoys. continuous observation of skier by an
half, plus current registration decal. observer.
Reckless operation-speed. (ORS 830.315(2))
Mooring requirement. (OAR 830-700, OAR A violation occurs if, due to a boat’s speed, • Operating without a “skier down” f lag.
250-010-0050) Sailboats 12’or more in it cannot be stopped by reasonable means
length, or any motorboat, when moored in the clear distance ahead. Example of Operation of a boat, including non-
in waters of the state, must be currently violation:Your boat runs over, or into, an powered boats, while under the influence
registered. object because you are traveling too fast to of intoxicants is prohibited on all
stop in time. waterways. (ORS 830.325)
Accidents Boaters should be aware that:
Maintaining a proper lookout. (ORS • by operating a boat, you have consented to
Responsibilities of a boat operator at an 830.335) The operator of a boat shall keep a
accident scene: (ORS 830.475, 830.480, OAR proper lookout at all times while underway. submit to field sobriety tests;
250-010-0110) Example of violation: Pulling and watching • a blood alcohol level of .08 or more is
• Anyone involved in a boat accident the skier, not the water ahead.
considered “under the influence”;
must give name, address, other required Overloading a boat beyond safe carrying • bail schedules for the alleged offense range
information and aid to injured person(s), capacity is prohibited. (ORS 830.355, OAR
including transportation to a hospital if 250-010-0085) from $3,500 to $6,000;
treatment appears necessary or is requested • operating under the inf luence is a Class A
by injured person(s). If your boat has a capacity plate, follow that
• Leaving a boat accident scene before recommendation for capacity; otherwise, misdemeanor. If convicted, a boater faces a
performing operator’s duties is a Class C use the formula on page 9. maximum penalty of $6,250 and/or 1 year
felony punishable by five years in jail and/or State law conforms to federal law requiring in jail;
a $100,000 fine. capacity plates on vessels. • a conviction for Boating Under the
• Boat operators involved in an accident Basic proximaty rule for Slow–No Wake. Influence is equivalent and counts toward
resulting in death, injury or property (OAR 250-010-0025) any of first three arrests for Driving Under
damage exceeding $2000 must report the Operators of boats must observe Slow-No the Influence of Intoxicants.
accident to the State Marine Board on a Wake, within 200’of a boat ramp, marina • upon conviction, offending operators
Marine Board accident form (page 49): or moorage with a capacity for six or more have all boat registrations in their name
–within 48 hours of accident resulting in vessels; a floating home moorage with six suspended for up to 3 years, are not
death or injury; or more structures; or people working at allowed to operate a boat for 1 year, and
–within 10 days of accident causing water level. The operator may be liable for are required to complete a boating safety
property/equipment damage only. damage caused by wake. This rule does course;
Occupants are responsible for making accident not apply to commercial vessels or river • a person who knowingly operates a boat
report when operator is physically incapable of navigation when more speed is needed to in violation of a court order for conviction
doing so. ensure safe passage. of ORS 830.325 commits a Class A
Dockside Safety Checklist for Renters. misdemeanor.
Marine Patrols (OAR 250-018-0060) Especially Hazardous Condition.
All persons operating a rented watercraft (ORS 830.380, 830.383)
A boat approaching greater than 10 hp must carry a signed Peace officers observing a boat being
or being approached copy of the“Watercraft Rental Safety operated on Oregon waters in an especially
by a law enforcement Checklist”unless they are carrying a boater hazardous condition may order the operator
vessel with a flashing education card. All other provisions of the to move to the nearest safe moorage and
blue light or siren must Mandatory Boater Education Program remain there until the condition is remedied.
immediately slow and alter its course so as apply, including minimum operator ages An especially hazardous condition is:
not to interfere with the operation of the law and supervision of youth. • Improper or insuff icient personal f lotation
enforcement vessel. (OAR 250-011-0005(6)) Riding on bows, decks, gunwales or transoms devices, fire extinguishers, backfire arresting
A peace officer may ask to stop any boat and of a motorboat. (ORS 830.360, OAR 830.362) devices on carburetors, or navigation lights
direct it to a suitable pier or anchorage for • Riding on bow, transom or gunwale railings between sunset and sunrise.
boarding. No person shall knowingly flee or while underway is prohibited. • Overloading.
attempt to elude any law enforcement officer • Standing on decking over bow is allowed for • Overpowering.
after having received a signal from a law mooring or casting off. • Leakage of fuel from the boat engine, fuel
enforcement officer to bring the boat to a stop. Prohibited actions when water skiing or system or fuel in the bilge.
(ORS 830.035) using other towed devices. (ORS 830.365)
• Reckless, negligent riding of towed devices
Operation endangering persons or property.

Operators must know the following rules 17
governing boat operation: