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<p class="MsoNormal" style="mso-line-height-alt:9.6pt"><b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">For Immediate Release Date: Friday, July 28, 2017<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Marine Board Seeks Public Comment on Outfitter/Guide and Charter Boat Rules<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Beginning August 1, 2017, the Oregon State Marine is accepting public comment on proposed rule changes to the Charter Program, Chapter 250, Division 015 and Outfitter/Guide Program, Chapter
250, Division 016.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The agency is proposing rules to implement HB 2039, which passed the Oregon legislature in 2013. The bill established a requirement that the agency adopt new rules by 2018 that require
operators of motorized boats who carry “passenger for hire” to submit to heath and drug screening and pass a knowledge test. Boating guides who already hold a valid U.S. Coast Guard license are exempt from this requirement.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">The proposed rules also bring equipment requirements into compliance with existing U.S. Coast Guard uninspected passenger vessel regulations and charter boats. Similar rules are proposed
for motorized and nonmotorized passenger vessels and charter boats on sole state waters. Minimum safety equipment requirements are also proposed for hunting or mountaineering guides, including emergency communication devices, first aid equipment and maps.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Additionally, current state rules define all vessels carrying seven or more passengers for hire as a charter boat. The proposed change will re-define charter boats as a
<i>motorboat</i> carrying seven or more passengers for hire. The proposal removes larger, nonmotorized rafts from the definition and places them under the “uninspected vessel” category and equipment requirements.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Furthermore, rules also propose mandatory incident reporting within 48 hours of incidents involving injuries, property damage or response from emergency services.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">Two public meetings are scheduled: August 15, at 7 pm at the Marine Board office, located at 435 Commercial Street NE., in Salem, and; August 16, at 7 pm at the Jackson County Sheriff’s
Office SAR Station 7, 620 Antelope Rd., in White City. Oral testimony will be accepted during the public meetings. Written comments will also be accepted until August 31, 2017
<em><span style="color:black;font-style:normal">by 5 pm and<b> </b></span></em><em><span style="color:black;font-style:normal">can be submitted via email to</span></em><i><span style="color:black"> </span></i><a href="mailto:osmb.rulemaking@oregon.gov">osmb.rulemaking@oregon.gov</a><i><span style="color:black">
</span></i><em><span style="color:black;font-style:normal">or by U.S. mail to: June LeTarte, Administrative Rules Coordinator, 435 Commercial Street NE, Suite 400, P.O. Box 14145, Salem, OR 97309-5056. Comments via telephone will not be accepted.</span></em><i>
</i><span style="color:black"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
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<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">To view the public notice, visit</span><b><span style="font-size:16.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"">
</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><a href="http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/info/Pages/Rulemaking-and-Public-Notices.aspx">http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/info/Pages/Rulemaking-and-Public-Notices.aspx</a>.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="text-align:center"><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";color:windowtext;text-decoration:none">###</span></span><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif""><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif""><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Ashley A. Massey<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Legislative Coordinator<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Public Information Officer<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">Oregon State Marine Board<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"">503-378-2623<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><img border="0" width="145" height="144" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.jpg@01D30781.CED0C380" alt="EclipseEmail"><o:p></o:p></p>
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