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Boating Safety Advocates Program

In its second year, Boating Safety Advocates serve as face-to-face contacts around Marine Board programs and are experts in boating safety education. The agency has five seasonal boating safety advocate positions, which were approved by the Oregon Legislature during the 2023 session as part of a policy option package in the agency's budget

The advocates are active during the peak boating season. They are a resource for boaters, especially for beginners who may not be aware of pertinent safety equipment or inherent risks associated with recreating on natural bodies of water. 

The BSA positions are not regulatory, but collect informal field data related to boating activities for safety and compliance. Advocates are approachable, and boaters are encouraged to share their passions and perspectives. 


Priscilla Macy-Cruser BSA Coordinator Priscilla Macy-Cruser preparing to paddle a river
Boating Safety Advocate Coordinator

Hi, my name is Priscilla Macy-Cruser, and I grew up near the Rogue River in Southern Oregon. At an early age, I was introduced to outdoor recreation and various water sports.

My first job was working for a jetboat company in Grants Pass, and shortly after high school, I became a professional whitewater river guide, leading trips in Oregon, Idaho, and California, both commercially and for a wilderness therapy program. 

I attended Oregon State University, earning an undergraduate degree in Recreation Resource Management. During this time, I worked as a student instructor at the University Adventure Leadership Institute, teaching climbing, rafting, adventure education, and rescue classes. During this period, I was also introduced to whitewater kayaking, which quickly became my main passion. Later, an experienced kayaker (who eventually became my husband) introduced me to paddling some of Oregon's more remote rivers, and together we explored, paddled, and documented some of the lesser-known rivers in Oregon and the western United States.

My personal and professional paddling experiences have deepened my commitment to preserving Oregon's waterways and promoting responsible access to them. In 2016, I graduated again from Oregon State University, this time with an MBA, and launched into a consulting business. As a consultant, I've worked with various outdoor industry organizations, partnering with key stakeholders to lead community engagement efforts and advocate for proactive outdoor recreation policies, both in Oregon and nationally. I've also previously worked as an outdoor writer and photographer, as a commercial paddle sports sales manager at NRS, as Executive Director for Oregon Outfitters and Guides Association, and as a regional coordinator for American Whitewater. 

Outdoor recreation is a meaningful way to connect with our natural environment. By sharing these experiences with others and promoting responsible recreation, I believe we can ensure the protection, access, and enjoyment of Oregon's lands and waters for generations to come. As the Boating Safety Advocate Program Coordinator, I aim to work with Oregon's boating communities and the public to raise awareness and educate about responsible boating practices. My goal is to make more people feel welcome, prepared, knowledgeable, and confident in safely enjoying our state's waterways.

Emily BoyceBSA Emily Boyce

My name is Emily, and I am based out of Keizer. I obtained my Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice at Western Oregon University. Throughout my career, I have had a variety of positions that have allowed me to understand and communicate with the public, no matter their background or personality, in a way that is welcomed. Working with the public has allowed me to educate others on policies and procedures they may not know. Educating the public about safety has been essential to my career.

I grew up taking swim lessons as a kid, but it wasn't until I was around 11 that I really started to love the water. Once I wasn't afraid of the water, the floodgates opened. I joined the swim team at my local gym, and eventually, in high school, while also floating the Umpqua River when the summers came around.

I came across the Boating Safety Advocate position when I was employed as a temporary employee with the State Marine Board in the Title and Registration Section. I wanted to learn a different side of the agency, so when the position opened, I jumped at the chance. I'm looking forward to engaging with our boaters in a two-way conversation, learning from them, and sharing what I can about the importance of boating and water safety. 



Kim McKayKim McKay (in riding gear wearing a life jacket)

Hi, my name is Kim and I grew up in St. Paul. I currently live with my two children in Keizer. I grew up in a farming community, but at a very young age was able to go boating, and knew it would become a lifelong passion of mine. 

Jet skiing became my favorite hobby and not long after I started, I was racing jet skis. I have raced jet skis for the last 24 years and in 2017, placed 4th in the IJSBA World Finals. I mostly coach/mentor kids in the community now, and I am proud to have a son, Ty McKay, who placed 6th in the IJSBA World Finals, also in 2017.  

Competition exposure led me to work and volunteer positions for promoters across the country, regionally, nationally, and most recently, at the International Cup. I have served as flagger, starter, and scoring, and served on management committees for IJSBA, Pro Watercross, and regional promoters. I have also been a contributing journalist periodically over the last couple of years for ProRider Watercraft Magazine. 

Promotional ad with BSA Kim McKay With all of my time on the water, I've seen a lot of incidents, some of them fatal. This is why I became passionate about water safety and started a volunteer water safety program teaching in local schools. This program was featured on FOX News 12 in 2019. I feel it all starts with educating kids. “If we can start teaching them young, they grow up learning correctly what to do, and hopefully they will go on to share the  safety message."  In 2022, I got certified in ocean safety water rescue with a company partnered with the US Coast Guard. No matter how much experience we have, our training never ends. This training was intense! I've built skills that I can use for a lifetime.


I am truly honored to work as a boating safety advocate. I am passionate about all kinds of watersports and water safety. I look forward to interacting with people out on the water this year.  If you see me out there, come by and say "hello!"

Jeff HolterBSA Jeff Holter

My name is Jeff, and I'm based out of Silverton.   

I grew up in Corvallis, and as a kid, I was active in the Boy Scouts. Many of our campouts were at lakes or rivers, so I experienced Oregon's waterways early on, using canoes and rowboats. I learned how to be a friend to nature and to "leave no trace." Fishing, horseback riding, and hiking were some of my favorite activities. 

After graduating from Corvallis High School, I joined the US Air Force where I was trained as a Firefighter. I spent four years on active duty with the military, then continued my firefighting career as a civilian. I retired in late 2022, with thirty-five years as a Firefighter. I was a member of the Water Rescue Team for my last twenty-four years of on-duty service. I operated the Port of Portland's Rescue Boat on the Columbia, Willamette, and Sandy Rivers, responding to all types of water-related emergencies. 

As a BSA, it's great to be on the prevention side of the boating community, rather than the reactive side. I get to meet people and learn about their experiences, why they like boating, and share ways they can operate on the water more safely. Through my interactions with boaters, I've learned that most people are very receptive to education and information on the types of boating activities they love. It's very rewarding being a friendly role model for boating safety in Oregon. 

Tiffany HagerBSA Tiffany Hager not preparing to stand up paddleboard near a river in the snow

I was born in Alaska but grew up in West Texas, two and a half hours away from the nearest body of water; so water is sacred to me. Whenever my family got the chance, we would head out to the coast or a lake for some fun. But it wasn’t until I moved to Houston, Texas, after college, that I learned to sail, surf, and kayak. I would do one of these activities every weekend. 

My educational background is in geoscience, but when I moved back to Alaska, I started tour guiding. Then worked in education as a Special Education Paraeducator during the school year. During the summers, I was a fish technician for Alaska Fish and Game, getting paid to catch Chinook salmon on the Kenai River. I love working with people, particularly children, and being outside, either in, on, or near the water. I'm excited to share my enthusiasm and knowledge through the Boating Safety Advocate program to Oregon boaters.




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