Help Define Boat “Wakes”, Dec. 18

The Oregon State Marine Board will be holding an open forum meeting in Portland on Wednesday, December 18, to gather ideas from Oregon boaters on how to best describe and define a “boat wake.” The current rules regarding “slow no wake” zones need to have a better definition of wake. The Marine Board looked to other states for their definitions and will share them at this meeting to find out what the public sentiment is. A more specific definition for boat wake and “slow no wake zones” in Oregon would help clarify this issue for the public and for law enforcement.  The meeting will also discuss how boaters define the difference between a transom and a sundeck on modern ski and wakeboard boats, and what boaters think about carrying fire extinguishers on open motorboats.  This informal session will be held on December 18 at the Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office, 12240 NE Glisan Street in Portland, OR 97230 from 4 pm to 6 pm. Boaters and other water recreationists are encouraged to stop by and share their thoughts with the Marine Board staff.  For more information, contact Rachel Bullene, Marine Board Policy and Planning Analyst, at 503-378-2836 or Rachel.e.bullene@state.or.us.