Take an Official State-Approved Boater Safety Course
Oregon boating laws require operators to avoid careless or reckless operation, follow slow-no wake rules near people, docks, and ramps, obey diver-down flags, and never overload or ride unsafely on a vessel. Teak surfing is illegal, local waterway restrictions apply, and law enforcement may stop or restrict boats operating unsafely or without required equipment.
Oregon has specific laws regarding boats’ operation to ensure water safety.
Unsafe operation is operating a boat in a manner that endangers or would likely endanger a person or property. An example of violation: Your boat wake causes a canoe to capsize.
It is considered a crime to operate a boat carelessly in willful disregard for the safety of others. An example of this violation would be pulling a skier through an area where swimmers are present despite the presence of boat exclusion buoys.
It is a crime to operate a boat carelessly and with willful disregard for others. An example of a violation is pulling a skier through an area where swimmers are present in spite of boat exclusion buoys.
A violation occurs if, due to a boat’s speed, it cannot be stopped by reasonable means in the clear distance ahead. Example of violation: Your boat runs over, or into, an object because you are traveling too fast to stop in time.
Certain Oregon water bodies may have local restrictions as to the type and size of boat or motor horsepower, restricted use areas, boat speed and times of use. Check local restrictions.
The operator of a boat shall keep a proper lookout at all times while underway. Example of violation: Pulling and watching the skier, not the water ahead.
No boat shall be loaded with passengers or cargo beyond its safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration weather and other normal operating conditions.
Operators of boats must observe slow-no wake, within 200′ of a boat ramp, marina or moorage with a capacity for six or more vessels; a floating home moorage with six or more structures; or people working at water level. The operator may be liable for damage caused by the wake.
A red flag with a white diagonal stripe is known as the “Diver Flag” and must be displayed on the water, when there is a presence of a diver(s) submerged in the immediate area; although diver(s) may stray from the boundaries of the marked areas. Operators should slow down to a slow-no wake speed and stay at least 200 feet away from a diver down flag. Do not drive your boat between a diver down flag and a nearby shore.
Teak surfing (a.k.a. platform dragging) is illegal in Oregon. Teak surfing is when a passenger hangs onto the rear of the boat to be pulled through the water until the boat’s wake builds enough to allow body surfing. People who operate a motorboat with someone holding onto or occupying the portion of boat aft of the transom could receive a citation.
Riding on bow, transom, or gunwale railings while underway is prohibited. No person operating a motorboat shall allow any person to ride or sit on the deck over the bow of the boat while underway unless the motorboat is provided with adequate guards or railing. No person operating a motorboat shall allow a person to ride or sit on the starboard or port gunwales or on the transom of the boat while underway at a speed in excess of 5 MPH unless the motorboat is provided with adequate guards or railings.
Standing on the decking over the bow is allowed for mooring or casting off.
Law enforement officers observing a boat being operated on Oregon waters in an especially hazardous condition may order the operator to move to the nearest safe moorage and remain there until the issue is fixed. An especially hazardous condition is:
Improper or insufficient personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, backfire arresting devices on carburetors, or navigation lights between sunset and sunrise.
Overloading.
Overpowering.
Leakage of fuel from the boat engine, fuel system, or fuel in the bilge.
Certain Oregon water bodies may have local restrictions as to the type and size of boat or motor horsepower, restricted use areas, boat speed and times of use. Check local restrictions.
There are restrictions near Columbia River dams, and certain rivers like the Chetco, Rogue, Yaquina, and others have areas that are closed to motorboat use. Zones indicated by signage, such as exclusion zones, swim areas, and areas with speed restrictions or motor type restrictions. Boaters must be aware of and comply with these regulations to ensure safety and protect the environment.
The Oregon State Marine Board provides information on statewide and local regulations, including restricted areas. You can visit the official Oregon State Marine Board website to find a complete list of restricted areas.
When operating or anchored on the Columbia River, Rule 9 requires recreational boaters to give-way to large vessels restricted in their ability to maneuver.
Commercial vessels, such as tug and tows, deep draft and passenger cruise vessels, transiting the river can only safely navigate within a narrow channel.
To maintain steerage on the rivers’ powerful currents, they must travel at a moderate speed. At these speeds it often can take more than a mile for these heavy vessels to stop.
An action such as crossing in front of a large vessel is also a violation if such a crossing impedes the travel of one of these vessels.
Fines range from several hundred dollars to $5,000 if found guilty.
Recademics is a nationally recognized provider of outdoor recreation safety education, offering online certification courses for boating, hunter education, bowhunter education, off-highway vehicles (OHV/off-road), snowmobiles, and personal watercraft (PWC). Our courses are built around nationally established standards and regulatory frameworks, with alignment to NASBLA (boater education) and IHEA-USA (hunter and bowhunter education).
We currently have more than 26 state-approved courses issued directly by state agencies across the United States, including approvals in Texas, New York, Florida, California, Georgia, Alabama plus many more & with additional states pending. Every course is developed and maintained by subject-matter specialists, instructional designers, and state-reviewing authorities to ensure accuracy, compliance, and a high-quality learning experience.
Recademics focuses on clear instruction, accuracy, and straightforward pathways to certification for outdoor enthusiasts across multiple disciplines. Our goal is simple: make it easier to get certified, stay compliant, and enjoy the outdoors with confidence.
