Oregon USCG Wants PFDs for Bars

The Oregon Coast has some of the most
treacherous river bar crossings in the country, but U.S. Coast Guard rules don't
require charter boat passengers -- or recreational boat passengers -- to wear life
jackets when braving those waters. At the suggestion of the USCG, the federal government
is considering rules to require people on the decks of recreational and uninspected
boats off the coast of Oregon and Washington to wear life jackets when crossing
a restricted bar. (Bars can be restricted but not closed in severe weather.) We
think that is a very good idea, and, further, we urge our readers to wear life jackets
when entering any inlet when conditions are foul.

This pilot boat works the Columbia River inlet in Oregon. It is probably the consistently most treacherous inlet in the U.S.

Dan Shipman, a recreational boating safety specialist with the Coast Guard, says
the reason for the proposed change is simple: Too many people have died.



Since 1992, the Coast Guard has counted 39 vessel capsizing that have resulted in
66 deaths. Eleven of those deaths occurred in 2003 when the charter boat Taki Tooo
sank off Garibaldi. In that incident, passengers weren't wearing life jackets.

While this inlet is notorious trouble lurks in many inlets around the country for people in small boats in rough conditions.

Grim Details



"There's been an accumulation of fatal accidents," said Shipman. "We're looking
at these regulations again to make it safer for everyone."



The rules also would require life jackets be worn by passengers on deck when commercial
vessels cross a restricted bar, and keep some recreational and uninspected passenger
vessels from crossing restricted bars altogether.



The proposed bar restrictions could hurt business for some, said Robert Waddell,
a Newport charter captain. He suggests authorities require recreational vessels
follow new guidelines, but not necessarily charter boats.



"Charter and commercial boats have licensed captains that should be allowed to make
their own decisions," he said. "We've been doing this our whole lives."



Oregon fishermen, meanwhile, say they don't mind the new rules, especially in light
of recent tragedies. 

A Columbia River pilot clings to his vessel before he prepares to jump aboard a tanker ready to enter the river. Pilots and the helmsmen of their boats are paid handsomely.