Page 27 - Experience Oregon Boating Handbook

Marine Patrols of any occupants to the other boats
The Oregon State Marine Board contracts with county operator and/or occupants.
sheriff’s off ices and the Oregon State Police to provide
on-the-water marine patrol services. In waters where Witnesses must give their names and
the federal government shares jurisdiction, the U.S. Coast addresses to the operator, occupants or
Guard will also have a presence. injured person. Failure to fulfill duties
of operators/witnesses is a Class A
Marine patrols are available to check your certificate misdemeanor punishable by a fine of
of number and required safety equipment. Boats that up to $6,250 and/or a penalty of jail up
check out properly will be issued a Marine Board“Law to one year. In accidents causing injury
Enforcement Decal.” Displaying this decal on your boat, or death, failure is a Class C Felony,
lets law enforcement know that the boat has been checked punishable by five years in prison and/
for equipment and carriage requirements within the same or $100,000 fine.
year. Boats displaying this decal or decals issued by the
U.S. Coast Guard auxiliary or US power squadron are also Contributing factors in accidents:
honored. On occasion you may be stopped or warned of u Failure to maintain a proper lookout;
an anticipated storm or cautioned of potential dangers u Operator error/misjudgment;
arising from your operation. Law violators can expect to u Operator inattention, and operator inexperience

Applicability Exemption Top five primary accident types (U.S. Coast Guard
statistics):
County sheriff’s, Oregon State Police and local, 1. Collision with another vessel
state and federal agencies are exempt from operational 2. Skier mishap
restrictions when conducting off icial business (OAR 250- 3. Collision with a fixed object
020-0005). 4. Flooding/swamping
5. Capsizing
Enforcement
Top five vessels types involved in accidents (U.S. Coast
u When you are being approached by a law enforcement Guard statistics):
boat using its blue flashing light and/or siren, you must 1. Open motorboat
slow to the slowest speed at which you can safely steer 2. Personal watercraft (PWC)
your vessel. You may proceed unless otherwise directed 3. Cabin motorboat
by the law enforcement officer. 4. Canoe/kayak
5. Pontoon boat
u When approaching the stationary law enforcement boat
displaying its blue lights, consider it to be the same as a Accident Reporting
boat ramp with a 200 foot,“no wake”speed zone around
it. You should slow immediately to the slowest speed at Boat operators or owners must submit
which it is possible to maintain steering. You should alter a written report of a boating accident to
your course so that you do not interfere or inhibit the the Oregon State Marine Board when:
operation of the law enforcement boat. You may increase 1. a person dies, disappears or is injured
your speed only when you’re out of the vicinity of the law
enforcement boat. and receives medical treatment.
2. damage to the property is in excess of $2,000.
Boating Accidents
Operators involved in a boating accident are required The report must be made within 48 hours of the
by law to stop their boat immediately at the scene of the accident in cases involving death, disappearance or injury.
accident and: Reports must be submitted within 10 days of an accident
1. Give assistance to any person injured in the accident; involving only property damage. (Failure to complete an
2. Give their name, address and identifying number of accident report, could result in a large fine). Violations of
equipment and operational laws may cause doubling of the
their boat (OR number), as well as the name and address fine amount.

Click on the QR code to download an accident
report form, or visit the Marine Board website at
www.boatoregon.com. Reports are also available at
your local county sheriff’s office.

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