| OSMB News |
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| Contaminated Cabin Cruiser Intercepted by OSP -8/28/09 |
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It was as close to a close call as they come in terms of a contaminated boat launching in Oregon. On August 25, a 30-foot cabin cruiser was being trailered from San Francisco, California on its way to a marine dealer in Portland. The two outdrives on the stern, the turn shafts and hull were completely encrusted with an unknown aquatic species. If it had not been for a well informed OSP Trooper and a rapid response plan, this boat could have easily ended up contaminating some of Oregon’s waterways.
A keen-eyed Oregon State Police Trooper, who was off duty at the time, noticed an encrusted boat at a truck stop in Medford, and called his supervisor to report his observations. Sergeant Kirk Myer, from the Central Point Patrol Office, immediately drove to the location but the boat had already gone. Sergeant Myer was able to find out where the boat was going because the driver apparently only stopped to ask for directions. The Sergeant was able to catch up to the boat in Grants Pass and could see the extent of encrustation as he drove closer to the boat and trailer on the freeway. The Sergeant had probable cause to stop the driver, because the trailer’s rear license plate was bent downward, obstructing the license plate information. The operator was cooperative and was apparently hired to transport the boat to Portland. Sergeant Myer then contacted Dan Vandyke, an ODFW Fish Biologist from Central Point, who met up with them in Grants Pass. Vandyke was able to rule out fresh water species but wanted the boat inspected more thoroughly when it reached Portland.
Sergeant Myer then contacted Glenn Dolphin, Clean Marina Coordinator for the Oregon State Marine Board and member of the Invasive Species Council. Dolphin then made arrangements with Rick Boatner, ODFW’s Invasive Species Coordinator and Robyn Draheim, with the Center for Lakes and Reservoirs at Portland State University (PSU), to meet in Portland to inspect the boat and identify the aquatic species.
After examination, it was determined that the boat was encrusted with marine mussels, tunicates, barnacles, tubeworms, seaweed, limpets and another undetermined isopod. Samples were taken for positive identification in the laboratory at PSU. According to the driver, the boat had been removed from the water on August 22. Three days later, some of the species were still alive.
Had the boat been launched back into salt water there would have been invasive species introduced into the receiving waterbody.
The boat was ordered to be thoroughly cleaned with a hot pressure washer system to ensure all of the species were removed. Fortunately, the boat was being transported to a marine dealer who plans on fully detailing the boat for eventual resale.
Dolphin and Boatner agreed that since the contamination was from salt water species, a follow-up inspection was not necessary. The rapid response plan clearly outlines that if a boat is found contaminated with a fresh water species, experts in invasive species would need to be present during decontamination and schedule a follow-up inspection at a later date.
This is an excellent example of an invasive species rapid response plan that worked, with all of the key players fulfilling their roles. Training law enforcement personnel, waterway managers and staff, Port employees, and boaters about aquatic invasive species is ongoing. Coordinated efforts, in conjunction with new laws, and decontamination equipment will help bring us closer to keeping our beautiful waterways native and pristine.
The Oregon State Marine Board wants to extend a sincere “thank you” to Oregon State Police, Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Portland State University for their participation in this real-life execution of the rapid response plan.
Beginning in January 1, 2010 it will be illegal to knowingly launch a boat containing any visible aquatic species on the hull, motor, trailer or related equipment, or any invasive species inside the boat. The goal of the law is to prevent aquatic invasive plants, shellfish, or other organisms from being released into uninfested waters.
The Oregon State Marine Board wants to let boaters know how important it is to keep your boat clean. It’s up to all boaters individually to educate friends and visitors about invasive species and to take personal responsibility for cleaning, draining and drying your boat before launching into any of Oregon’s waterways.
For more information on how to properly clean your boat and the new aquatic invasive species boating laws, visit http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/programs/09LawsFAQs.shtml and http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/Clean/CleanTips.shtml.
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