Oregon State Marine Board News Oregon's Recreational Boating Agency Media Contact: Randy Henry, ext. 247     Home Page:  www.osmb.state.or.us

• Keen-Eyed Patrols are Cleaning Up on Drinking Boaters 1
• July 4 Weekend Beckons Boaters, Safety Tips Offered 3
• Clean Boating Week: The Start Of Something Clean 4

Keen-Eyed Patrols Are Cleaning Up On Drinking Boaters

July 4 weekend could be an expensive one for boaters who drink

That's when the lemons line up.

The payoff Puckett is looking for is intoxicated boaters. Like the drunken boaters he often arrests, the statistics are staggering. "The proportion varies, but on Saturday evenings, 60 to 70 percent of these people have been drinking," says Puckett. A smaller proportion fits the definition of legally drunk, so Puckett asks a few questions, administers a sobriety test and cites the individual if appropriate.

And he's number one in the state for keeping intoxicated boaters off the water. "He seems to have a nose for it," says Oregon State Marine Board Law Enforcement Training Coordinator Pat Rowland. "He was good at it when he was working road patrol. He's good at it on the River Patrol. Word spreads quickly when someone like Joe Puckett is in your county." So far this year, Puckett is credited with more than half the Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants (BUII) citations issued statewide. That's just in Jackson County and occurs while Puckett is enforcing other boating laws and performing routine marine safety exams.

Perhaps the most surprising statistic is that only about half the impaired boaters Puckett arrests are alcohol impaired. The rest are drug impaired. "People who use dope don't quit when they hit the water," says Puckett. Puckett has the experience to differentiate the effects of drug and alcohol. That's important because someone who may test well under the .08 blood alcohol level could be under the influence of other drugs. "Unless you know the signs and have the track record, a BUII won't stick in court if the blood-alcohol level is below the legal limit," says Rowland.

Puckett's not the only deputy finding success. Thanks to more training organized by the Oregon State Marine Board, and a growing interest among River Patrols, arrests for BUII are almost double over recent years to date, despite the fact that cold weather has kept many boaters off the water. "We would expect the arrests to be down, but deputies are out at the right time and they know what to look for," says Rowland. "They're becoming more and more effective."

Public campaigns and shifts in societal attitudes have made driving automobiles while intoxicated taboo, says Puckett. Attitudes about boating and drinking haven't seen a similar shift - yet. Oregon law allows open containers of alcohol in boats, but it is strictly illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. "We are in our fourth year of a major statewide campaign against drinking and boating," says Randy Henry, public information officer for the Marine Board. "It's broad reaching and focuses on the consequences. You can pay steep fines, lose boating privileges and even spend time in jail. Most importantly, you stand a greater chance of injuring or killing someone, and that's not acceptable. Alcohol is a factor in many boating accidents and we want to see those rates decrease," says Henry.

While the campaign hopes to change public attitudes, the front line of defense is law enforcement. The Marine Board contracts with county Marine Patrols and Oregon State Police to provide marine enforcement. One hundred officers attended training this spring, with most receiving 16 hours in structured classroom training on boating/alcohol enforcement. "They learn how to perform field sobriety tests, identify alcohol impaired boaters and operate a device to measure blood-alcohol content," says Rowland. "They even practice those skills on volunteers who have been dosed with alcohol."

In October, these same law enforcement officers will come together for a post-season review, decide what training is needed and work at improving their skills. It's all designed for one purpose - to make Oregon's waters safer for conscientious boaters.

Boaters who are arrested for BUII are finding tough sentences from the courts, too. BUII is a Class A misdemeanor. The bail for a non-accident arrest is $613 and $1,113 for accident-related arrests. Fines can be up to $5000, a year in jail or both, and suspension of boat registration for up to three years. On average, boaters are facing $450-$650 fines and 4-6 days of jail time. In addition, many judges are sentencing the person to attend a victims panel, alcohol treatment, a boating safety course and loss of boating privileges for one year.

As one of the people teaching other officers about BUII, Joe Puckett is gratified to see the growing success in other counties, too. "We should pat those people on the back," he says of the increasing number of arrests in Crook, Curry, Douglas and Marion counties. BUIIs aren't easy arrests - they are usually tense and require hours of paperwork. Puckett says it can grow on you, though. "I love to do it. It's a needed area. I think BUII needs even more attention."
 

Editor's Note: Joe Puckett has six years experience as a marine officer, consistently leads the state in BUII arrests and is a primary instructor for the Marine Board. He has received awards for his outstanding efforts in BUII enforcement. He is considered the state's expert in BUII enforcement.

July 4 Weekend Beckons Boaters, Safety Tips Offered

"We do have some special conditions on some waterways this year that people need to be aware of," says Marine Board Director Paul Donheffner. "Whether you are rafting, canoeing, sailing or powerboating, the water may be higher and colder than previous years because of the late snow melt. Be prepared," he warns.

One way to be prepared is to always wear a life jacket, says Donheffner. "We've had eight boating fatalities this year already, and seven of the people weren't wearing life vests. It's a good idea for everyone, especially non-swimmers, and for situations such as white-water rafting and canoeing." Wearing a life jacket is now required for children 12 years and under when on a boat that's underway. The law covers all types of boats, including non-powered craft such as canoes and rafts. Wearing a life jacket is also required for everyone on board personal watercraft (often known by brand names such as Jet Ski.)

Rivers have some special hazards this year, too. "High waters moved gravel bars and introduced stumps and debris into areas boaters might not expect," says Donheffner. It's easy to get snagged up in a raft, or damage an outdrive on your powerboat and end up stranded. Survey the area carefully and talk to other boaters if at all possible."

Donheffner offers these other safety tips. Some can keep you from getting a ticket, but all could save your life.

• If you are out on the water after sunset to see fireworks, use your boat lights. Use anchor lights if anchored and running lights when underway. Check your lights before launching to make sure they are operating properly.
• Keep a sharp look-out; the water may be crowded as boaters try to dock after the fireworks. Other boaters may be tired or inattentive and visibility is greatly reduced at night.
• Boat sober. The Marine Board and law enforcement partners--county sheriffs, Oregon State Police and U.S. Coast Guard--have increased enforcement of "boating under the influence" laws. "Alcohol is often involved in boating accidents. Alcohol affects your judgement, balance and peripheral vision, increasing risks not only for the skipper but for passengers who risk going overboard on small boats," says Donheffner.

Clean Boating Week: The Start Of Something Clean

Boaters have many tools available to them to help keep the environment clean, according to the Oregon State Marine Board. Keeping your boat and motor in good operating condition is the best way to avoid fuel and oil leaks that can hurt fish and wildlife. Some oil may still find its way into the bilge, so clean boaters use absorbent or digestive pads to remove any oil that might collect there.

Newer boats with built-in fuel tanks often have fuel/air separators in the air vent line which help prevent spills when the boat is being fueled or in rough water conditions. The device can be retrofitted to older boats, preventing burps of fuel into the water.

More than 40 sewage pump-outs are now available at boating facilities statewide, making it as convenient as possible for boaters to empty their on-board holding tanks or portable toilets in a sanitary manner. Boaters without on-board toilets should use of shore-side facilities before getting on the boat, and plan rest stops every three hours or so at areas with restroom access..

The Marine Board will work with marinas and fuel dock operators during National Clean Boating Week to spread the word on clean boating. During the week, boaters visiting select marinas and fuel stations can pick up a clean boating kit, which contains a free bilge pad and information on clean boating. Boaters can also visit the Marine Board web site (www.osmb.state.or.us) for additional information on clean boating.

Here's a summary of tips for boaters, anglers and facility operators to use anytime, not just during Clean Boating Week.

Boaters

• Bring back what you take out. That includes fishing line. Throw nothing overboard, including cigarette butts.
• Take reusable containers. Recycle where possible.
• Boat cleaning and maintenance
• Keep your engine properly tuned for efficient fuel consumption, clean exhaust and economy; follow manufacturers specifications.
• Avoid overfilling tank: Remember that fuel expands as it warms up in your tank after being pumped from a cool underground tank.
• When filling your fuel tank, listen to the filler pipe to hear when the tank is filling to avoid splash back; automatic shut-off nozzles may not work fast enough. Have an oil absorbent pad ready.

Bilge Care

• Avoid pumping any bilge water that is oily or has a sheen
• Use drip pan under engine
• Routinely check and fix oil or fuel leaks.
• Use oil absorbent or digestion pads made for boats.
• Avoid use of bilge cleaners which are detergents or emulsifiers; these

Anglers

• Use fish cleaning stations.
• Recycle fish parts by composting with peat moss or burying in the garden as fertilizer. Or freeze and re-use fish parts as bait on your next trip.

• Use of live baitfish is prohibited except in certain circumstances in ocean, bays and tidewaters. Never transport and/or release live fish away from water bodies where they were taken.

Boats with built-in fuel tanks

• Install fuel/air separator in air vent line from tank to prevent vent spills during and after fill up.
• Routinely check for and fix fuel leaks; use a drop pan under your engine.
• Use a bilge oil absorbent pillow; dispose of it before fully saturated according to the manufacturer's suggestion; recycle.
• Use a bilge maintenance bioremediation pad with natural oil-eating bacteria.
• Display a US Coast Guard oil discharge placard if your boat is 26 feet or more in length. It's the law.

Sewage control

• Look for pum-pout facilities and floating restrooms--see the Oregon State Marine Board's list (available on the web) or call the national hotline at 1-800-ASK FISH.
• Use onshore restrooms when docked. Take pets to marina's posted pet walk area or use a "pooper scooper."
• Boats with toilets: Use fast-dissolving marine toilet tissue. Post the instructions near the toilet. In "no-discharge" waters, lock or secure the toilet closed so it cannot empty overboard.
• Boats with holding tanks: If boat has a y-valve and through hull, keep them locked closed when inside coastal waters.

Oregon Adopt-A-River

• For those who'd like to participate in organized clean ups, the Oregon Adopt-A-River program offers opportunities for volunteers. Individuals, clubs, businesses, schools and organizations can "adopt" a stretch of river, stream or lake. Call 1-800-322-3326 for information.

Foam encapsulation

• White-bead foam used for dock and building flotation must be encapsulated (covered). Encapsulated foam lasts longer and helps keep fragments from polluting waterways. The Marine Board administers the state program, which requires all new and repaired structures supported by foam to be encapsulated. For information, contact the agency's environmental coordinator at (503) 373-1405, ext. 234.

Facility managers

• Adopt "best management practices," train your staff, then educate customers and ask their help in making the marina and its water better.
• Fueling: Create an emergency spill response plan for fuel containment and clean up. Train employees to give information to customers before they begin fueling. Provide absorbent pads to contain excess.

Updated 6/25/99