06/23/2026
SUMMER BOATING AND WATER SAFETY
With nicer weather and summer vacations in full swing, many people are taking advantage of Oregon’s beautiful waterways. On a hot day, swimming and boating can be refreshing, but there are risks you should be aware of.
Be aware of water temperatures.
Cold water can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure, changes in breathing, and can increase the risk of drowning. Water shock can happen within the first minute of exposure, leading to loss of muscle control and possibly hypothermia. Wearing a lifejacket may create extra time for help to arrive. See more information about the risks of cold-water hazards and resources on the National Weather Service page: www.weather.gov/safety/coldwater
Wear a life jacket.
Assign and fit each member of your onboard team with a life jacket before departure. Regulations vary by state, but children under 16 and all watersports riders should wear a life jacket on the water. Discover Boating has great guidelines for choosing the right flotation device: www.discoverboating.com/ownership/safety/life-jackets
Develop a float plan.
Whether you inform a family member or staff at your local marina, let someone else know where you’re going and how long you’ll be gone. A float plan can include the following information:
1) Name, address, and phone number of the trip leader and passengers
2) Boat type and registration information
3) Trip itinerary
4) Types of communication and signal equipment onboard, such as an Emergency Position
5) Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
Take a boating safety course.
New boaters and experts alike need to be familiar with boating rules. Boating safety courses are inexpensive, offered locally, and often completed in a day, in-person or online.
Get a free vessel safety check.
The Lincoln Sheriff’s Office Marine Team and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of specific safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. Free of charge, they also offer virtual vessel exams. Contact a Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Marine Deputy to complete your boat inspection.
Follow a pre-departure checklist.
Utilizing a pre-departure checklist is a helpful way to check the boat and ensure the proper gear is onboard.
Be weather-wise.
Always check local, route, and destination weather and water conditions before departure and ensure it is safe to go out. When in doubt, reschedule your boating, floating, or water fun.
Never drink and drive a boat.
Operating a boat while intoxicated is illegal. Nearly half of all boating accidents involve alcohol. Designate a sober skipper before leaving the dock.
Be aware of carbon monoxide.
Maintain fresh air circulation throughout the boat. Educate all passengers about the symptoms of CO poisoning and where CO may accumulate.
Stay clear of the engine.
Drivers should always wear the boat’s engine cut-off switch lanyard. Keep watch around the propeller area when people are in the water. Never allow passengers to board or exit your boat from the water when engines are on or idling. Take extra precautions near boats towing skiers or tubers.
Never jump from a moving boat.
Passengers should never participate in boat jumping. Instead, wait to exit the boat once the captain has announced that the boat’s engine is off, and the boat is at a standstill. Jumping from a moving boat is extremely dangerous and can result in severe injury or death.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office Marine Team can answer questions and offers free vessel safety checks. Have a safe boating season.
