Boater Education cards and ramp etiquette-courtesy

[ol tuna skipper]

The majority of us ifishers appear to be experianced boaters that understand water safety quite well. [img]images/icons/smile.gif[/img] The Boater education card (soon to be required for 40 yrs. and under I believe, or is it 30 and under in 2002) Should help ensure newer boaters are at least aware of the safety issues, river markers, right of way on waterways, etc.

It may be a little late, BUT, could we (level headed ifishers) encourage the state marine board to add a chapter on boat ramp etiquette(finally looked the spelling up)to avoid the zoo at the ramps. [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Nothing has ever upset me more than to have a jetskier pull in front of the lineup I had been in for twenty minutes from the wrong end and back there pickup down the ramp to launch from their truck bed. They easily squeazed right in before anyone was wise to what they were up to. [img]images/icons/mad.gif[/img]

I think this would be a great service, and reduce temperments at the ramps. This year I heard of several state or county ramps closing due to heated conflicts. [img]images/icons/confused.gif[/img] At least the Marine Board could make some sensible recommendations, not necessarily laws. [img]images/icons/cool.gif[/img]

How about it guys. Anyone know someone at OSMB. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[Hookset]

You could email them with your suggestion. I just completed the boaters safety course last year through the coast guard auxiliary and ramp etiquette would make a great addition.
http://www.boatoregon.com/

Nice idea skipper,

hook

[hawgcatcher]

I have watched these boat ramp situations for years and friend it is getting worse with more boats and more idiots being raised. I must admit, it can sure be fun watching the different people trying to launch, falling in the water, launching their vehicles, getting their ropes caught up in the trailer, no drain plugs and my favorite, the person who has one foot on the dock and one in the boat and their partner busy rigging up, not holding on to the dock.

I am all for special training in some instances, but then the laughter at the docks would be curtailed. [img]images/icons/rolleyes.gif[/img]

[ol tuna skipper]

Hookset

Thanks for the reply. and the link. I have sent the following message to OSMB. If we all send a similiar request then things may happen and the ramps will be a safer less stressful place for us all. How about it. This includes the Washington folks and your marine board which I don't have a link to.
Feel free to copy my comments to the Washington State Marine Board


To OREGON STATE MARINE BOARD

It may be a little late, BUT, in the next publication of Boating Basics or in boater safety classes that are starting up, could the Oregon State Marine Board add a chapter on boat ramp etiquette to avoid the zoo at the ramps.

I would at least ask for some recommendations as to a courteous procedure for the lines when docking, launching, loading etc. This would be beneficial to present boat owners as well as for the new boat owners that will be using public docks in the years to come.

The key here is these docks are public and we need to share them peacefully. We have guidelines on river right of ways. Any recomendations would be appreciated if you have studied this situation.

I read the paragraphs on page 34 of the Oregon Boating Basics Guide. it gives good info on how to launch and retrieve and mentions the basics. Can it be expanded to include some ramp etiquette.

This is a hot topic on the ifish discussion board from time to time and obviuosly there is not a lot of direction from the state yet. The main question being, who has the right of way at the ramp, the line of trailers or the first boat in line that is waiting to pull out. Or is it still the biggest guy wins.

I appreciate all the information you have provided by way of the boating basics guide, and the boaters card is another good step in ensuring safe and pleasant boating.
Keep up the good work.

[ol tuna skipper]

Just a Follow up on the last post. OSMB retuned the following reply:


Appreciated your note. Actually, we replaced "Boating Basics" with a new book, "BoatOregon." And it does have a section on "Courtesy on the Boat Ramp."

It includes information on preparing your boat away from the ramp, use two experienced people to launch and retrieve (one to drive, one to get the boat), never block a ramp with an unattended boat or vehicle and a few more items. I think it's pretty well covered. It's much better than "Boating Basics."

At least we're on the same wavelength. Like you, I've seen some real dodos who just don't get it. I watched a guy launch his boat at the James M. Gliesen ramp last week and left his truck and trailer right there (in the water) for 20 minutes while he test drove his boat. Amazing. Fortunately, for people like him, we have citations. Hopefully some basic education helps most of the rest.

Thanks.

"Boat Safe, Boat Sober"

Randy Henry
Randy.H.Henry@state.or.us
Public Information Representative
Oregon Marine Board www.boatoregon.com
(503) 373-1405 x247

[boater]

up here in washington it goes by the order of your truck and trailer in line, sure there are cases when you have to let someone cut in front of you, a sinking boat etc, but the main rule of thumb is what order your truck and trailer are in line and if someone dont believe that go ahead and just pull in front of a bunch of waiting trailers and you "will" get what you asked for..any boater thats been around knows this

[ 06-19-2001: Message edited by: boater ]

[TheRogue]

That's great! A real, honest answer from a real person. It's good to see that they're in touch with reality.

T.R.

[KarenLee]

useful info [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]