To make your Labor Day boating fun and safe, the Oregon State Marine Board has some tips for you

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) — Labor Day weekend traditions have their roots in the outdoors. To ensure safety, the Oregon State Marine Board recommends taking your time when planning your trip on the water and following these tips:

Wear your life jacket. Every boat (including canoes and kayaks, inflatable boats and stand-up paddleboards) must have a properly fitted life jacket and at least one noise-producing device for each person on board. Life jackets must be in good condition and easily accessible – not under a hatch or in their packaging. All youth under 13 must wear a life jacket while in a moving boat. Because storage space on paddle boats is limited, it makes the most sense to simply wear a life jacket. So far this season, most fatalities in recreational boating accidents have been paddlers not wearing life jackets.

Know your waterway. “Take the time to familiarize yourself with the waterway and understand the hazards involved,” says Brian Paulsen, Marine Board Boating Safety Program Manager. “When water levels are low, be aware of wood, other debris, and shallow gravel bars.” Learn more about the impact of low water levels on boat ramps by subscribing to the Marine Board’s Opportunities and Access Report.

Know what rules apply. There are all kinds of watercraft on the market. Some are considered boats and others are considered pool toys. Boats are designed differently and have certain equipment requirements under state law. “If you plan to float in a river, keep in mind that pool toys are designed for use in pools, have no directional control, and can burst easily. Float in a watercraft designed for a river; one that won’t burst easily and is equipped with a paddle so you can avoid obstacles,” Paulsen adds. State law requires any boat with a motor, even if only temporarily mounted, to be licensed and registered. Paddle boats (including stand-up paddleboards) 10 feet and over require a waterway access permit.

Boat sober. Boating is a great social activity, and the Marine Board encourages boaters and people using the waterways to keep alcohol on land. It’s safer for everyone. If arrested for boating under the influence of intoxicants (BUII), violators can face a fine of up to $6,250, a boating license suspension for up to three years, and even jail time. Intoxicants include marijuana, illegal drugs, and even some prescription medications.

Sit on the seat in the boat. Many boaters tend to ride on the swim platform, stern, sides and bow of open powerboats. The stern can be a dangerous place for carbon monoxide exposure and a safety hazard from propeller strike. It is illegal to ride on the bow, decks, gunwales or transom of a powerboat when the boat is moving. Sitting on the seats provided is the safest option – especially if the boat is towing someone. Just because new boats have seats on the transom or swim platform does not mean they are legal to use while moving.

Slow down, keep scanning and be polite. Know the boating regulations for your area of ​​operation. Boaters, including personal watercraft, are responsible for damage caused by their wake. Remember to slow down within 200 feet of a dock, slipway, marina, mooring, floating home or boathouse, pier, or floating dock, even if there is no buoy or “Slow No-Wake” sign posted. Paddlers should stay closer to shore and cross busy channels at right angles only when it is safe to do so, and let motorboats pass in deeper water. Be courteous, share the waterway, and recreation responsibly.

The most common boating violations this summer include not having enough portable life jackets on board, not having a waterway access permit, not having an audible signaling device and not having a valid registration. So far this year, there have been 15 fatal accidents involving recreational boating, with not having a life jacket being the most common reason.

For more information on equipment requirements, boating regulations and boating trip suggestions, visit the Marine Board website.