The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Lion, officers from Oregon State Marine Board and Clatsop County Sheriff's officers escort the motor vessel Global Hero through the Columbia River as part of Operation Make Way, Aug. 27, 2016.
Operation Make Way is a multi-agency effort to assist large commercial vessels through the narrow navigation channel often clogged by recreational fisherman.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lee Lafollette.
The crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Sea Lion clears the Columbia River's navigational channel of recreational boats for the motor vessel Global Hero as part of Operation Make Way, Aug. 27, 2016.
Operation Make Way is a multi-agency effort to enforce laws and teach boaters aboat navigational rules of the road in particular Rule 9, which states in part that smaller more manuverable vessels must clear the way for large ships using the deep water channel.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lee Lafollette.
Coast Guard Sector Columbia River Boarding Team members ride aboard a Clatsop County Sheriff's and an Oregon State Marine Board boats as they assist law enforcement officers enforce Navigational Rule 9 on the Columbia River, Aug. 27, 2016.
Rule 9 of the Navigational Rules of the Road states in part that a vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway.
U.S. Coast Guard photo by Lee Lafollette.
LONGVIEW, Wash. — Due to three narrowly missed incidents involving large deep-draft motor vessels and recreational fishermen last weekend, the Coast Guard and local law enforcement agencies will be reminding recreational boaters about the navigational rules of the road and actively enforcing boating safety laws as part of Operation Make Way on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers this weekend.
Last weekend two deep-draft vessels had to take evasive action to avoid running over fishermen near Longview and a large commercial passenger vessel had trouble maneuvering through the river due to the crowded waterway.
Operation Make Way is a joint recreational boater education and enforcement campaign designed to help boaters understand the need to give way and stay clear of commercial deep draft vessels.
Recreational fishermen, often caught up in the excitement of a day on the water, frequently neglect to give way to larger vessels in a timely manner. Waiting until the last second to move from the path of these larger vessels is illegal and highly dangerous.
“Our primary concern is preventing collisions, groundings or other incidents that could result in damage to the environment, injuries or death,” said Capt. David Berliner, deputy commander of Sector Columbia River. “Due to the narrow navigation channel, it is imperative deep draft vessels be given the space they need to safely maneuver.”
Commercial vessels such as tug and tows, deep draft vessels and passenger cruise vessels cannot maneuver quickly and must stay on course to remain in deep water. To maintain steerage on the river's powerful currents they must travel at a moderate rate of speed. At these speeds it can often take more than a mile for these heavy vessels to stop.
Rule 9 in the Navigational Rules of the Road states, "a vessel of less than 20 meters in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway, and a vessel engaged in fishing shall not impede the passage of any other vessel navigating within a narrow channel or fairway.”
The Coast Guard along with county sheriff marine patrol units and the Oregon State Marine Board are patrolling the Columbia River to observe fishing boats that disregard the vessels' attempts to warn them to move.
Violators of Rule 9 can be subject to civil penalties of up to $6,500, but may also be found guilty of additional civil and criminal violations meaning fines can far exceed this amount. In addition to these fines, a boater may be held accountable for costs for cleanup or reimbursement should it be found their actions led to a spill, damages, injuries or loss of life.
For more information on boating safety, please visit http://www.uscgboating.org/.