During the weeks of April 26 through May 9, newly recruited marine deputies and troopers from around the state will converge in Jefferson County for the Marine Board’s annual Marine Law Enforcement Academy. Students will learn marine laws, boat handling in motorized and non-motorized boats, accident and theft investigations, search and rescue and will practice administering standardized field sobriety tests on boaters suspected of boating under the influence of intoxicants (BUII), among other drills. This year’s academy will train 28 students from 13 counties, along with students from the Oregon State Police. “This marine academy is a very comprehensive, hands-on training and really challenges students mentally and physically,” says Dale Flowers, Law Enforcement Training Coordinator for the Marine Board. The two week training covers everything from knot tying to self-rescue in full utility gear in a pool setting. Students also learn about cold water immersion and hypothermia, first hand. “We put the students in real-world situations,” Flowers adds. “When marine deputies are out on the water, they’re our first line contacts with the boating public and serve as educators first, by explaining local safety issues and aim for compliance with marine laws, second. But they also need to be prepared for any emergency the public faces while minimizing risk to their own lives.” The Marine Board contracts with 32 counties and Oregon State Police for marine law enforcement services and as a function of this partnership, the Marine Board provides the training and equipment. Marine law enforcement partners make sure everyone is safe, informed and prepared when out on the water. This year’s Marine Academy is being held in Jefferson County and hosted by the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. In addition to classroom activities, students will be conducting pool exercises at the Madras Aquatic Center on April 30th from 9 am to 4 pm. On May 5th, 6th, and 7th , students will be conducting on-the-water scenarios and boat handling skills on Lake Billy Chinook. Students will be launching patrol boats from the Cove Palisades State Park. Patrol boats will be seen working in the central waterbody, and in and around the Cove Palisades Resort and Marina. Scenario boats will be marked with large, blue numbers near the bow. Some boats will be at anchor or beached on the shore. Every attempt will be made to reduce training congestion with anglers and other recreationists in the area, but boaters are asked to stay clear of any marked boat or shore based operations. The Marine Board thanks the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office for hosting the academy and especially Captain Marc Heckathorn from Jefferson County Marine Patrol and Gary Popp from Cove Palisades Resort and Marina, for their commitment to marine training.
