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About Oregon daily emerald. (Eugene, Or.) 1920-2012 | View Entire Issue (May 31, 2000)
Water recreation renders risks ■After fallen trees are removed from the river, officials stress the need for boating safety By Andrew Adams Oregon Daily Emerald Members of the Lane County Sheriff’s Office Search and Res cue Team labored throughout the weekend to remove several large cottonwood trees from the Willamette River that posed a se rious threat to the safety of boaters. Law enforcement officials said the hazard highlights the need for boaters to follow basic safety pro cedures to limit the risks in navi gating Oregon’s coast and water ways. Last year, 16 people died in CC It's an irresponsible parent that doesn Y have a life jacket on their child. John Miller Search and Rescue Team coordinator jj boating accidents, and three peo ple have already drowned this year. John Miller, coordinator for the Search and Rescue Team, said the sheriff’s office received more than a dozen phone calls on Friday from boaters who had been cap sized after running into the pile of trees on the river. The trees had converged to block nearly all of the river where it merges with Fall Creek. After the initial dis i covery, Miller said, it took sher iffs personnel and a private con tractor two days to remove the trees. No one was injured because of the blockage removed this week end, but Miller said the risks in volved with rafting are increased in the spring, when boaters first start to head out to the water. “Folks are getting out for the first time,” he said. “They’re not aware of the new risks.” To avoid these risks, Miller said, rafters should not exceed their ability, have life jackets in the boat and not mix alcohol and rafting. All boaters are required to have one life jacket per adult in their craft, and every child 12 years-old and younger is required to wear a life jacket. Those who fail to follow the regulations face a $175 fine, Miller said, but could lose much more than that if they don’t have life jackets during an emergency. “It’s an irresponsible parent that doesn’t have a life jacket on their child,” he said. State Marine Board spokesman Randy Henry said the biggest threat to Oregon boaters is hy pothermia. He said after people fall in a river, they only have a few minutes before they will suc cumb to hypothermia. To mini mize the risk, Henry suggested boaters wear extra clothing, avoid alcohol and wear a life jacket. Henry also said people should scout out rapids before taking them and talk to other boaters who have already been down the river to get a good idea of what they’re getting into. Those taking a trip should also let others know of their plans, including when they expect to return. Safe boating tips: Always have a life jacket for each person in the boat Avoid excessive drinking Know the area and potential haz ards Carry along a horn and flares Be aware of possible weather changes Make sure the boat is in good con dition Have a fire extinguisher for motor boats Let others know where you are go ingand when you will return SOURCE: State Marine Board, Lane County Sheriff's Office and Coast Guard “If you’re heading out, it’s a good idea to tell people where you’re going and let them know when to start to worry,” Henry said. Those heading out into coastal and deep ocean waters should make sure their boats are in good condition and have up-to-date weather forecasts, said Scott Lowry, the station supervisor for the Suislaw River Life Boat Sta tion. He said the majority of search and rescue missions his crew undertake are a result of me chanical breakdowns that leave boaters stranded. Boaters should always have ac cess to weather reports, Lowry said, because of the unpredictable nature of weather on the coast. “The conditions out here can change so rapidly,” he said. “It can be sunny when you leave, and then an hour later there can be a storm.” 009124 National Residence Hall Honorary Congratulations to this years NRHH inductees: Dynee Putnam Josh Christiansen Greg Miller Carmen Steuwe Jessica Lane Jennifer Brewer Cassandra Holliday Jesse Harding Ryan Bowlby Emily Seymore If you know someone in the Residence Community who should be recognized E-mail ckwalker@hotmail.com University of Oregon Housing e Locally owned DOWNTOWN 1320 Willamette 485-2356 *2975 West 11th 344-0007 *r*0PEN Sundays^. E_ *11-4 LUBE, OIL, FILTER • Chassis Lube • New Oil Filter • Up to 5 Qts. 10W-30 Kendall Oil • Clean Front Window • Vaccuum Front Floor Boards No Appointment necessary Most light cars & trucks __ Kendall MOTOR OIL '*"* 3/4 or 1-ton & Extra Cab Trucks Additional Summer Storage Units start at $2S a month. free boxes DOWNTOWN MINI-STORAGE 1475 Railroad Blvd • Chambers & River Rd • 342-5353 tww.dailyemerald.comi Graduating? Read the Oregon Daily I Emerald online and keep up with UO news. \ What do all of these people have in common? They all read Check your Pulse, the Oregon Daily Emerald's entertainment section, every Thursday. ' ‘ IHIMW i ASUO President Wylie Chen Porter & Maxwell „ UO President Dave Frohnmayer „ Campus Icon "Frog"
