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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><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><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: Thursday, August 12, 2010<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></B></P>
<H1 style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 3pt"><?xml:namespace prefix = v ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" /><v:shapetype id=_x0000_t75 stroked="f" filled="f" path="m@4@5l@4@11@9@11@9@5xe" o:preferrelative="t" o:spt="75" coordsize="21600,21600"><v:stroke joinstyle="miter"></v:stroke><v:formulas><v:f eqn="if lineDrawn pixelLineWidth 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 1 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum 0 0 @1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @2 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @3 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @0 0 1"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @6 1 2"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelWidth"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @8 21600 0"></v:f><v:f eqn="prod @7 21600 pixelHeight"></v:f><v:f eqn="sum @10 21600 0"></v:f></v:formulas><v:path o:connecttype="rect" gradientshapeok="t" o:extrusionok="f"></v:path><o:lock aspectratio="t" v:ext="edit"></o:lock></v:shapetype><v:shape style="Z-INDEX: 251660288; POSITION: absolute; MARGIN-TOP: 0px; WIDTH: 250.5pt; HEIGHT: 188.25pt; MARGIN-LEFT: 210.5pt; mso-position-horizontal: right; mso-position-horizontal-relative: margin; mso-position-vertical: center; mso-position-vertical-relative: margin" id=_x0000_s1026 type="#_x0000_t75"><FONT size=3><v:imagedata o:title="P3300102" src="cid:CRKBFFQSWPUZ.clip_image001.jpg"></v:imagedata><v:shadow on="t"></v:shadow><?xml:namespace prefix = w ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" /><w:wrap type="square" anchory="margin" anchorx="margin"></w:wrap></FONT></v:shape></H1>
<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"></SPAN></B> </P>
<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=3>Big Crowds Expected on Area Waterways –Play it Safe<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<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"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></B></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"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN></B>Mother Nature is bringing summer back in full force with temperatures expected to be in the 90’s, which means area waterways will be predictably congested.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Marine Board urges people escaping to the waterways this weekend to bring with them plenty of patience and a plan for their excursion.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></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 most important thing is to know the waterway you’re going to, especially Oregon's rivers, where there are numerous underwater hazards.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Know where those hazards are by scouting ahead or doing other research,” says Ashley Massey, public information officer for the Oregon State Marine Board.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Rivers are constantly changing and can change quickly.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Take for example a fallen tree -it will alter the flow of the current from meandering and gentle, to a rapid, choppy and potentially dangerous flow that steers floaters directly into it.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If you know how to read the river and know what to look for, by staying alert, you'll be able to avoid any potential hazards in time,” Massey adds.</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><FONT face="Times New Roman">“It's also important to keep in mind that even when it’s hot outside, the water can still cold, especially at deeper water depths.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This means that it won't take too long before legs and arms can cramp up.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The key is in the planning. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“If you plan to float a stretch of river, make it a short float.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When you take out and head back for another run, your body will have time to warm back up.”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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">It's also important to stay hydrated, Massey says.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“Avoid liquids that will dehydrate your body, like alcohol.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Being in the elements will naturally cause dehydration.” </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><FONT face="Times New Roman">In Oregon it’s required for boats less than 16 feet in length and all canoes, rafts and kayaks to carry a Type I, II or III life jacket that properly fits each person on board, and carry a sound producing device.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“A lifejacket is the single most important piece of equipment a boater can carry.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It will keep a person’s head above of the water and reduce the chances of swallowing water into the lungs.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s important for people to wear life jackets on float toys as well, like a float mattress or inner-tubes because of their unstable nature,” Massey emphasizes. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“And a whistle is a good example of a sound producing device because the sound will amplify over the surface of the water, alerting people that you're in distress.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Whistles are inexpensive and can be life savers.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Remember the scene from the movie, Titanic?”<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </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">In Oregon, 85 to 90 percent of recreational boating fatalities involve people not wearing a life jacket.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many fatalities occur in lakes and rivers when it’s sunny, with calm water conditions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Operator inattention, inexperience, excessive speed, improper lookout and alcohol rank as the top five primary contributing factors in boating-related accidents and fatalities. </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 on water safety, visit </FONT><A href="http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/safety/safety.shtml"><FONT color=#800080 size=3 face="Times New Roman">www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/safety/safety.shtml</FONT></A><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">.</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>
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