Salem-News.com Boating articles

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.

In Tough Times, Wage Security Fund Protects Displaced Oregon Workers

After Roseburg Company Closes Without Means to Pay Almost 100 Workers, State Wage Security Fund Provides Nearly $100,000 to Guarantee Final Paycheck.

(ROSEBURG, Ore.) - In April, Roseburg-based North River Boats closed its doors without the means to deliver nearly 100 workers a final paycheck.

Oregon’s Wage Security Fund (WSF) protects workers in these unfortunate instances and ensures payment of final wages when a company closes and does not have sufficient funds to fully and promptly pay final wages owed to employees. The WSF, established in 1985, is unique to Oregon.

Oregon`s North River Marine Runs Aground Hard

Times are tough for recreational manufacturers, but if the accusations I have read are true, panic and desperation once ruled the sales end here, by one man. He was at every inventory check previously, always in the room.

(ROSEBURG, Ore.) - Recent events in Roseburg Oregon are keeping thousands of boaters attentive to the Oregon boatmakers' developing news; none of it too good.

Last month without warning, a select number of folks at North River Marine were made aware. Their retail outlets were locked and all boats on site were seized.

Clackamas River Rises to Dangerous Levels

Clackamas County Sheriff's Warns of River Hazards

(CLACKAMAS, Ore.) - The chilly waters of the Clackamas River are flowing at higher than usual levels and officials there are concerned over hazards that could affect anyone who goes near it.

Clackamas County Deputy Strickland says he became concerned about the overnight increased elevation of this river and that prompted him to make an inquiry about the current water conditions. In completing the research, Strickland discovered the river has raised an additional 2.5' overnight.

Albany Loan a Life Jacket Program Begins Memorial Day

This is the second year of the program.

(ALBANY, Ore.) - The Albany Fire Department will again have their Loan-A-Life Jacket Program beginning Memorial Day weekend and ending Labor Day weekend.

Last year, the Albany Fire Department documented over 80 uses of the life jackets last year and experienced no river drowning in the Albany area.

The program came in response to the national statistic from the Center for Disease Control that drowning are the number two reason children under the age of 14 are injured or die.

Willamette Falls Boating Deadline to Remain the Same

The Marine Board plans to improve signage at the site and will continue to observe boating activity during low water periods.

(WEST LINN, Ore. ) - The Marine Board held a public meeting on April 4th, to hear comments on revising the current boating deadline at Willamette Falls.

There was general agreement that the green bridge, which is the current boating deadline, was the preferred deadline for angling and enforcement purposes.

Police in Oregon Seek Sea Lion Shooter

Investigators say it happened Wednesday around 12:30 PM. They learned of the shooting after a call was placed to a local law enforcement agency, informing them that a sea lion was shot in the area of Coon Island near Gilbert River Boat Ramp.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - The shooting of a federally-protected California sea lion in the Multnomah Channel of the Willamette River is drawing both state and federal resources as police try to determine exactly who is responsible for pulling the trigger.

Agencies investigating the incident that happened near Coon Island in Columbia County include Oregon State Police Fish & Wildlife Division and NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service.