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About The Siuslaw news. (Florence, Lane County, Or.) 1960-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 5, 2015)
SIUSLAW NEWS ❚ SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 2015 M ARINE B OARD Labor Day Weekend is one of the top three boating week- ends of the year on many Oregon lakes and rivers, attracting thousands to the alluring banks and warmest water of the season. To keep things fun and safe, the Oregon State Marine Board suggests using your thinking cap as you plan your water get- away: • Don’t drink and boat. The Marine Board encourages boaters and persons floating on the waterways, to leave the alcohol on shore. It’s safer for everyone. If arrested for Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants (BUII), violators have been fined up to $7,500, can lose boating privileges for up to three years and even serve jail time. Consumption of intoxi- cants on many Oregon water- ways are up, and so are acci- dents and fatalities involving alcohol. So far this year, 12 people have lost their lives in recre- ational boating incidents, half of which involve drugs and alcohol, and all of the victims OFFERS TIPS FOR FUN , SAFE WEEKEND have been male. • Know your waterway. “Be familiar with your surroundings and always keep a sharp look- out throughout your trip,” says Ashley Massey, Public Information Officer for the Marine Board. “Stumps, dead- heads and sand and gravel bars can appear out of nowhere with water depth changes. Start out slow and get your bearings. Water levels around the state are very low.” • Know what rules apply. “There are all types of water- craft on the market; some are considered boats and others are pool toys,” Massey adds. “Boats are designed differently, and by state law, have specific equipment requirements such as having enough properly fit- ted life jackets and a sound pro- ducing device, like a whistle. “Attach the whistle to your life jacket and you’re set.” Massey suggests that if you plan to float the river, keep in mind that pool toys are designed for use in a swimming pool; they have no directional control and puncture easily in rivers. If you are planning a relax- ing float, do so in a watercraft designed for the river; one which won’t easily puncture and comes properly equipped with a paddle so you can maneuver away from obstruc- tions. • Wear your life jacket. Each boat (including kayaks, inflat- able boats and canoes) must have a properly fitting life jack- et for each person on board and at least one sound producing device, like a whistle. Life jackets need to be in good shape and readily accessi- ble, and not under a hatch or in its packaging. All youth younger than age 13 must wear a life jacket when in a boat that’s underway. U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that over half of all boating fatalities occur with small boats on calm waterways, in sunny conditions. Ninety percent of boating fatality victims this year were not wearing a life jacket, on par with Oregon’s average of 85-90 percent over the last 30 years. • Sit on the seat. The growth of wake surfing is luring many people to ride on the swim plat- form, stern, sides and the bow of unenclosed boats. The stern can be a dangerous place for exposure to carbon monoxide and a prop-strike safety hazard. It is illegal to ride on the bow, decks, gunwales or tran- soms of a motor boat when the boat is underway. Sitting on designated seat cushions is the safest place to be — especially when the boat is towing some- one. • Slow down and keep a sharp lookout. Know the boat- ing regulations for your area of operation. Always obey the “slow no-wake” buoys or signs. Boaters are responsible for their wake. Remember to slow down within 200 feet of a dock, launch ramp, marina, moorage, floating home or boathouse, pier or swim float. Be courteous with paddlers who are also sharing the water- way. Wakes can easily swamp low-freeboard paddle craft. Don’t allow your wakes to generate negative attention from other boaters, property owners, and possibly result in a citation. • Carry your boater educa- tion card. All boaters operating boats over 10 hp need to have a boater education card. Youth ages 12-15 who operate a powerboat 0-10 hp alone must carry a boater education card. When operating a powerboat greater than 10 hp, youth must be supervised by a card-holding adult age 16 or older. When operating a personal watercraft, the supervising adult must be 18 or older. Educated boaters are much less likely to be involved in boating accidents because they know the “rules of the road.” • Carry your aquatic invasive species prevention permit. For registered motorized craft, your boat registration and current decals act as proof of payment into the program. For non-motorized water- craft 10 feet long and longer, such as canoes, kayaks, sail- boats, paddleboards and inflat- able rafts, the operator needs to physically carry a permit when out on the water. The cost is $7 for non-motorized craft and can be purchased through any ODFW field office or licensing agent. Permits are valid until Dec. 31 of the year issued. Tyvek tags (waterproof permits) are sold through the Marine Board’s online storefront and various Marine Board permit dealers. Tyvek tags are $5 for the annual permit and $10 for a two-year permit. This program is self-funded and permit fees support aquatic invasive species detection, decontamination, signage and education materials for boaters. Marine officers will be on the water to assist boaters and help keep the waterways safe. The top violations so far this summer involve not having life jackets, failure to carry a boater education card or aquatic inva- sive species permit, and not having current boat registration decals. Other violations involve reckless operation and drugs and alcohol impairment. “Boating is the best escape, and a long weekend before heading back to school and other responsibilities makes it even better,” Massey said. CYAN MAGENTA YELLOW BLACK 2 B Restrictions eased in time for Labor Day Weekend ROSEBURG — Umpqua National Forest officials announced a reduction of Public Use Restrictions across the Forest. Effective immedi- ately, campfires are allowed in fire rings within designated campgrounds. Charcoal briquettes can only be used in Forest Service-pro- vided fire rings and grills. The change in Public Use Restrictions comes just in time for Labor Day weekend. Visitors looking to enjoy the end of summer will find most campgrounds open across the Forest. Last week, Broken Arrow and Threehorn campgrounds re-opened to the public. Some campsites can be reserved at www.recreation.gov, though those sites fill up quickly. There are many first come, first served campsites available throughout the national forest for campers looking to get out into nature for the holiday weekend. To find just the right campground, visit www.fs. usda.gov/recmain/umpqua/recr eation. While the cooler weather has allowed for an ease in Public Use Restrictions, fire season is not over. The public is asked to be cautious while recreating on the Umpqua National Forest. For more information about recreation or fire information on the Umpqua National Forest, visit www.fs.usda.gov /umpqua. Visit the Siuslaw News online at WWW.THESIUSLAWNEWS.COM A weekly roundup of shopping, savings and doings around town. FLORENCE SAW SHOP & RENTAL CENTER Florence Saw Shop has chain saws for home owners and professionals Along with Trimmers, Edgers, Blowers & Brushcutters 6th & HWY 101 541-997-9424 Monday-Saturday 10-5 STIHL is the number one selling brand of gasoline powered handheld outdoor power equipment in America. MONDAY-FRIDAY 8AM-5PM 1550 HWY. 101 & 6TH STREET 541-997-2653 COME IN TODAY AND BROWSE ROOM AFTER ROOM OF NEW FURNITURE BEST HOME FURNISHING ASHLEY FURNITURE INDUSTRIES COASTER OF AMERICA SPECIAL ORDERS— PICK YOUR FABRIC * FREE IN TOWN DELIVERY * STIHL IS THE NUMBER ONE SELLING BRAND OF GASOLINE POWERED HANDHELD OUTDOOR POWER EQUIPMENT IN AMERICA. 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