May is National Water Safety Month, and the Umatilla County Sheriff’s Office has a number of tips to prepare boaters before and after they hit the water.
Prior to heading out on the water, all boaters who operate a motorboat with over 10 horsepower and youths are required by Oregon law to take a boating safety course and carry a boater education card. Course information is available online.
Boaters should file a float plan and check the weather before heading out, continuing to monitor weather conditions while on the water.
Everyone on board should wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. Do not bring or consume alcohol or drugs while on the water.
All vessel operators should utilize an engine cut-off switch; have visual distress signals and sound-producing devices in case of an emergency; pay attention to buoys and navigation aids; always be aware of the surroundings and designate a lookout; and carry at least two communication devices that work when wet.
The number one priority on the water should be safety, according to the sheriff’s office. The fun and leisure that boating offers don’t have to be sacrificed in order for everyone to go home safely.
