<HTML><HEAD>
<META content="text/html; charset=utf-8" http-equiv=Content-Type>
<META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 8.00.6001.18928"></HEAD>
<BODY style="MARGIN: 4px 4px 1px; FONT: 10pt Tahoma">
<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 26, 2010</SPAN></B></P>
<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'"></SPAN></B><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p><FONT size=5 face=Arial> </FONT></o:p></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>Labor Day Weekend on the Waterways –Keep it Fun<o:p></o:p></FONT></SPAN></B></P>
<P style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-layout-grid-align: none" class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'"><o:p><FONT size=3> </FONT></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Labor Day Weekend is one of the top three boating weekends of the year on many Oregon waterways, and the Oregon State Marine Board reminds boaters to be cautious and courteous where it’s congested.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"></SPAN>“On the coast, thousands of boaters are hoping to land a salmon, while others are taking advantage of the holiday weekend to float down the Deschutes, Clackamas and other rivers,” says Ashley Massey, Public Affairs Specialist for the Marine Board. “Most lake and reservoir water levels are beginning to drop, so factor in extra time to launch…and bring along a little patience.” </FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Conflict between boaters and other water users can increase this time of year, so boaters need to pay very close attention to the people enjoying the water around them.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“This is not the time of year to go full-throttle,” Massey says.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“With water levels dropping, stumps, deadheads and sand and gravel bars can appear out of nowhere with water depth changes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It’s important to go slow and always keep a sharp lookout when you first get out there.”</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3>Marine officers will be on the water to assist boaters and help keep the waterways safe.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>“The top violations so far this summer involve not having life jackets, carrying a boater education card or aquatic invasive species permit and not having current boat registration decals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Other violations involve reckless operation and alcohol,” says Massey.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>She suggests the following checklist to stay safe and fun this Labor Day weekend:</FONT></FONT></P>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt" class=MsoNormal><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<UL style="MARGIN-TOP: 0in" type=disc>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Wear your life jacket.</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Each boat (including kayaks, inflatable boats and canoes) must have a properly fitting life jacket for each person on board.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Life jackets need to be in good shape and readily accessible – not under a hatch or in its packaging.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All youth 12 and younger must wear a life jacket when in a boat that’s underway.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that over half of all boating fatalities occur with small boats on calm waterways, in sunny conditions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Eight-five to 90 percent of boating fatality victims were not wearing a life jacket.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Sit on the seat.</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The growth of wake surfing is luring many people to ride on the swim platform, stern or sides of the boat.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This is a carbon monoxide and prop-strike safety hazard.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is also illegal to ride on bows decks gunwales or transoms of a motor boat when the boat is underway.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Sitting on designated seat cushions is the safest place to be.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Slow down and keep a sharp lookout.</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Always obey the “5-mph, slow-no-wake” buoys or signs. Wakes can contribute to bank erosion and damage docks and other property and boaters are responsible for their wake.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Remember to slow down within 200 feet of a dock, launch ramp, marina, moorage, floating home or boathouse, pier or swim float.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If not, this is the fastest way to get negative attention from other boaters, property owners, and possibly, a citation.</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Carry your boater education card.</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>All boaters operating boats over 10 hp need to have a boater education card. Youth 12-15 who operate a powerboat 0-10 hp alone must carry a boater education card.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When operating a powerboat greater than 10 hp, youth must be supervised by a card-holding adult age 16 or older.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When operating a personal watercraft, the supervising adult must be 18 or older. Educated boaters are much less likely to be involved in boating accidents because they know the “rules of the road.”</FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Carry your aquatic invasive species prevention permit.</B><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This year, boats 10 feet and longer are required to purchase and carry on aquatic invasive species prevention permit.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For registered motorized craft, a $5 surcharge is added onto the boat registration and current decals act as proof of payment into the program.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For non-motorized watercraft such as canoes, kayaks and inflatable rafts, the operator needs to physically carry a permit when out on the water.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The cost is $7 for non-motorized craft and can be purchased through any ODFW field office or licensing agent. Permits are valid until December 31 of the year issued. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This program is self-supporting and permit fees go towards aquatic invasive species detection, decontamination, signage, and education materials for the boating public.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN></FONT></FONT></LI>
<LI style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; tab-stops: list .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1" class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman"><FONT size=3><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"></SPAN></FONT></FONT><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol"><SPAN style="mso-list: Ignore"><FONT size=3>·</FONT><SPAN style="FONT: 7pt 'Times New Roman'"> </SPAN></SPAN></SPAN><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><B style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal">Don’t drink and boat.</B> Officers are looking for intoxicated boat operators on the water and at the boat ramps when leaving the water.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If arrested for Boating Under the Influence of Intoxicants (BUII), a violator can be fined $6,250, lose boating privileges for a period of time, and may even serve jail time.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Marine Board encourages boaters (that goes for floaters too) to leave the alcohol on shore. It’s safer for everybody.</FONT></FONT></LI></UL>
<P style="LINE-HEIGHT: 150%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; 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><FONT size=3><FONT face="Times New Roman"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN>For more information on boating safety, visit </FONT></FONT><A href="http://www.boatoregon.com/"><FONT color=#800080 size=3 face="Times New Roman">www.boatoregon.com</FONT></A><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">.</FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; 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 align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman">###</FONT></P>
<P style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; LINE-HEIGHT: 200%; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; 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 align=center><FONT size=3 face="Times New Roman"></FONT> </P>
<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>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Go with the flow." </DIV></BODY></HTML>