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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-line-height-alt: 9.6pt; tab-stops: 8.0pt right 6.5in left 7.5in 8.0in 8.5in 9.0in 9.5in 10.0in 10.5in 11.0in 11.5in 12.0in 12.5in 13.0in" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; mso-bidi-font-family: 'Times New Roman'">For Immediate Release<SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>Date: Tuesday, August 10, 2010<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
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<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'; FONT-SIZE: 16pt"><FONT size=4>Marine Officers Take on the Rogue River for Hands-On Learning<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
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<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN></B>There's<B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"> </B>a lot to be said about facing the risks, challenges and thrills in whitewater boating, and there's a lot to be said about having qualified help there when you need it most.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>During the week of August 9 through the 13<SUP>th</SUP>, law enforcement officers from 12 different agencies encounter every challenge the Rogue River can muster; from strainers to whirlpool eddies with hydraulics so strong, they can easily pin a boater under water.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The goal is to keep boaters out of danger, and get them to safety if they do wind up “over there head.” </FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>“Marine patrol officers encounter all kinds of situations, in all types of water,” says Dale Flowers, Law Enforcement Training Coordinator for the Oregon State Marine Board. “Last year, 13 people died in recreational boating accidents in Oregon, and four of those victims were in paddle craft.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Marine officers spend a great deal of time in search and rescue operations and this training helps them be proficient at responding effectively.” </FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>The Marine Board’s drift boat training course is the only one of its kind in the nation, with a one-to-one, student/teacher ratio.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“It's not uncommon to have law enforcement officers from other states enroll in this training, because they'll have an opportunity to experience every type of water in every type of rescue situation imaginable,” Flowers adds.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One seasoned officer will work directly with an inexperienced student.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They will run everything from a class I to a class IV rapid, conduct swift water rescue operations, learn to enter and exit the river from rapids as well as put themselves in harm’s way to ensure that they can get out safely.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Drift boat training also includes the basics such as knot tying, reading the river, and enforcing applicable laws, such as the new aquatic invasive species prevention permit program and Class III whitewater mandatory lifejacket wear laws.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>There are 22 students from around the state learning from the best marine patrol officers in Oregon.</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>“There's no greater thrill than running whitewater,” Flowers adds.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“It takes a lot of practice and experience to respond effectively when boaters need help.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; TEXT-INDENT: 0.5in; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">For more information about the Marine Board’s Marine Law Enforcement Program, visit </FONT><A href="http://www.boatoregon.com/"><FONT color=#800080 size=3 face="Times New Roman">www.boatoregon.com</FONT></A><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman">.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For media interviews contact Dale Flowers, Law Enforcement Training Coordinator at 503-302-0589.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
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<DIV>Ashley A. Massey<BR>Public Information Officer<BR>Oregon State Marine Board<BR>503-378-2623<BR>503-378-8587 ext. 82623<BR><A href="mailto:ashley.massey@state.or.us">ashley.massey@state.or.us</A><BR></DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.boatoregon.com/">www.boatoregon.com</A></DIV>
<DIV><A href="http://www.twitter.com/marineboard">www.twitter.com/marineboard</A></DIV>
<DIV>We're also on <A href="http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/pages/Salem-OR/Oregon-State-Marine-Board/116751421672478">Facebook</A>!</DIV>
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<DIV>"Go with the flow." </DIV></BODY></HTML>