Salem-News.com Boating articles Page 1

Marine Board Meeting to Include Executive Session

(Salem, Oregon) - The Oregon State Marine Board will enter Executive Session prior to the conclusion of the regularly scheduled meeting on Thursday, April 21. The meeting, which includes the agenda items listed below, will be held at the Marine Board office, 435 Commercial Street NE, in Salem.

Portland Fire & Rescue Responding to Marine Fire on NE Marine

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Portland Fire & Rescue responded to a river incident that involved five craft in a marine fire reported just before 8:00 this evening.

It occurred behind Babeckos Yacht Sales located at 3157 NE Marine Dr. A total of two fireboats, four fire engines and two fire trucks were dispatched.

Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River, closes multiple bar entrances November 2nd

(SEATTLE) - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River, in Astoria, Oregon, has closed the Columbia River, Yaquina Bay, Ore., Siuslaw River, Ore., and Grays Harbor, Wash., bar entrances due to hazardous conditions, Tuesday.

The bar closures are for all vessels and any request to transit the bars prior to re-opening must be approved by the Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River. Mariners may contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Channel 16 or Sector Columbia River by telephone at (503) 861-6211 for further information or to request crossing.

Yamhill County Marine Patrol Honored for Saving Lives and Seasonal Program of the Year Award

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon State Marine Board recognized several Marine Deputies for their outstanding job performance and lifesaving efforts during the 2010 boating season at the Marine Board’s annual Marine Law Enforcement Conference held in Bend, on October 16.

Yamhill County Marine Patrol Unit was recognized with the “Seasonal Program of the Year Award” for their patrol efforts during the 2010 boating season. The Yamhill County Marine Patrol conducted 652 boat examinations, issued 30 citations and 188 warnings, conducted 26 hull inspections, conducted four boater education classes educating 74 students and recovered three stolen motor boats.

Coast Guard Captain of the Port Reopens Multiple River Bars

(ASTORIA, Ore.) - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River, reopened the Columbia River, Yaquina Bay, Oregon, Coos Bay, Oregon, Umpqua River, Oregon, and Grays Harbor, Washington, bar entrances Tuesday, with restrictions to recreational and uninspected passenger vessels.

The closures of the Depoe Bay, Oregon, Tillamook Bay, Oregon, and Siuslaw River, Oregon, bar entrances are still in effect due to hazardous conditions.

Coast Guard Closes Columbia River, Tillamook Bay, and Siuslaw River Bar Entrances

(ASTORIA, Ore.) - The Coast Guard Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River, in Astoria, Ore., has closed the Columbia River, Tillamook Bay, Ore., and Siuslaw River, Ore., bar entrances due to hazardous conditions, Saturday.

The bar closures are for all vessels and any request to transit the bars prior to re-opening must be approved by the Captain of the Port, Sector Columbia River. Mariners may contact the Coast Guard on VHF-FM Channel 16 or Sector Columbia River by telephone at (503) 861-6211 for further information or to request crossing.

Killer Whales Have a Fighting Chance to Survive...Us

The preponderance of protected stretches of both ocean and coasts gives orcas a boost in their struggle to stay one step ahead of extinction.

(SALEM, Ore.) - Dear EarthTalk: How are populations of the world’s orca whales faring these days? Are we still in danger of losing them all in the wild? -- J. Witham, Bangor, ME

ET:The largest member of the dolphin family and a major draw at marine parks, orcas (also known as “killer whales”) are highly intelligent and social marine mammals that, because of these traits, have come to be known as ambassadors for nature and marine ecosystems around the world.

Man Presumed Drowned After Falling From Sailboat

Two men entered the water, one was rescued.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - Rescuers say two men jumped off a rented sailboat into the Columbia River to cool off around 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, and only one was able to make it back to the sailboat. The other male is presumed drowned.

Lt. Rich Tyler with Portland Fire and Rescue, says crews were called out at 6:36 p.m. Saturday evening to a person in the water just east of Hayden Island in the Columbia River.

North Santiam River Main Channel Open Again ‏(PHOTOS)

Several agencies came together to help make this excellent fishery navigable again.

(JEFFERSON, Ore.) - The previously reported blockage across the main channel of the North Santiam River near Jefferson has been cleared. The Oregon Marine Board reports that a large cottonwood tree was removed to the shore on June 25th.

A significant amount of trees and debris had collected in the main channel, blocking the path of boaters. This made the sections of river very dangerous because of a 90 degree turn in the river; a scenario that offered little warning.

Historic Oregon Marine Reserves Bill Clears Oregon House Unanimously

HB-3013 A will implement the recommendations of the Ocean Policy Advisory Council (OPAC).

(SALEM, Ore.) - The Oregon House of Representatives approved HB-3013 A on Thursday, outlining a detailed plan and timeline to complete evaluation of six potential marine reserve sites recommended by the Governor’s Ocean Policy Advisory Council.

In addition, the bill establishes two pilot marine reserve projects at Otter Rock near Depoe Bay and Redfish Rocks near Port Orford and prescribes a process to evaluate the potential for reserves in four other areas of the coast. The vote was 51-0.