The Oregon State Marine Board is stepping up its game to ensure the safety of the boating community. With the summer season quickly approaching, they're not just waiting for boaters to come to them; they're heading out into the fields, rivers, and classrooms. The agency's Boating Safety Advocates (BSAs) are already out there, making rounds across Oregon waters and community spaces to dish out information and resources on boating and water safety. Essentially, these BSAs are set to become a familiar sight, as they mix and mingle, advocating for safer boating practices in a state that treasures its waterways.
According to the Oregon State Marine Board, the Boating Safety Advocate program is part of a broader initiative to modernize and sharpen up boating safety education and community engagement. "We are focused on decreasing boating fatalities in Oregon," says Brian Paulsen, Boating Safety Program Manager for the Marine Board. So many preventable incidents boil down to not only having the right safety gear but also getting informed about the risks at hand. The BSAs' mission is to reinforce how to not just play, but also stay safe on the water.
These newly introduced roles are less about enforcement and more about interaction. BSAs are poised to be a friendly face for the board, collecting casual feedback and observations about boating activities. They are meant to be approachable, encouraging boaters to share their stories and insights, which in turn could help shape future safety measures. "Engaging with boaters on waters across the state creates an opportunity to have conversations and learn what the agency can do to serve boaters better," Paulsen added.
