Recreational Boating Incidents and Fatalities in Oregon
Boaters need to make sure they have the skills and required equipment for the waters they enter. Accidents happen for all kinds of reasons. But 85-90% of drowning victims were not wearing
life jackets. The annual statistics illustrate this point very well. Another consistent cause is
boating under the influence of intoxicants (BUII). Nationwide, roughly 18% of recreational boating fatalities involve alcohol, drugs, inhalants, or a combination of impairing substances.
The Marine Board tracks all recreational boating-related fatalities (paddle, oar, sail, and motor). This is a federal requirement in each state by the U.S. Coast Guard for nationwide statistics.
Incident reports are, by statute, confidential and not open to the public or media review. Please note: recreational boating statistics do not include those deaths that happen across state lines, are commercial (charter, outfitter guide, industrial, etc.), or occur after a person purposefully left the vessel (to swim, etc.).
Most incidents and fatalities occur on rivers or in the Pacific Ocean's surf zone. Boat operators need to develop special skills to navigate any change in conditions safely.
If you've never boated a particular waterway or are new to boating, go with a registered outfitter/guide. It's also worth considering joining a boating club to gain more experience and skills to run a river. For the Pacific Ocean, go with a registered guide or charter.
Want to see if a charter or outfitter guide is registered with the Marine Board? Visit our Boat Oregon Store. Click on "Online Services" in the upper right-hand corner of the page. Then click on "Guides and Charters Lists" to search.
Plan and prepare for your trips. Take a boating safety course or specialized course from the ACA, other paddling associations, US Power Squadrons, or Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Know the duties of operators and if you witness an accident (ORS 830.475):
(1) A person commits the offense of failure to perform the duties of an operator if the person is the operator of any boat involved in an accident that results in property damage or fails to take reasonable steps to notify the owner or person in charge of the property of the damage and provide to the owner or person in charge of the property the operator’s name, address and the identification number of the boat.
(2) The operator of any boat involved in an accident that results in injury or death to any person must immediately stop the boat at the scene of the accident, or as close as safely possible, and remain at the scene of the accident.
(3) The operator of any boat involved in an accident resulting in injury or death to any person shall:
(a) Give to the other operator, surviving occupant or any person not injured as a result of the accident, the name, address, and the identifying boat number the operator is operating, and the name and address of any other occupants in the boat.
(b) Render reasonable assistance to any person injured in the accident, including calling first responders for help or making arrangements for the injured person to a physician, surgeon, or hospital for medical or surgical treatment, if it is apparent that treatment is necessary or if any injured person requests conveyance.
(4) Any witness to the accident shall furnish to the operator, occupant, or injured person, the name and address of the witness.
