Oregon boaters get educated

According to officials at the Oregon State Marine Board, more than 80% of the state’s 30-year-old and younger boaters are complying with a state law that requires boating safety education to operate boats and personal watercraft above 10 hp. “We’re right on target with our goal of 80 percent compliance,” said Ashley Massey, mandatory boater education coordinator for the Board. “We estimated that 16,000 boat operators fell into this age class, and we’ve now issued nearly 14,000 cards to boaters 30 and younger.”
The only group that seems to be lagging is PWC operators, particularly those who have borrowed a friend’s craft. “Under this law, you must have your own boater education card to operate a PWC or you will be cited,” explained Massey. “PWC owners need to explain that requirement before loaning out their craft.”
In 2004, Oregon law will increase the number of boaters required to get boating safety education to those under 40 years of age.
STEP INTO LIQUID
Those who have read about the popularity of tow-in surfing, a sport that uses personal watercraft to launch surfers into waves previously un-catchable, will finally get the opportunity to see the sport up close and personal thanks to Hollywood.
Step Into Liquid, a documentary from Dana Brown, the son of legendary surf filmer Bruce Brown, is to be released in theaters across the country. The film is being touted as one of the best surf documentaries to ever hit the screen, with filmers venturing into the waves with the riders to get vantage points far better than the typical view from the beach.
Bruce Brown’s previous surf epics included The Endless Summer and The Endless Summer II.
WAMILTON’S SUFFERS TORNADO DAMAGE
A tornado ripped through the headquarters of Wamilton’s Customs in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Aug. 7, effectively destroying the building and forcing the company to quickly relocate. As of late August the shop was back up and running in their new location. The new mailing address is 3740 Prospect Avenue, Suite 2, West Palm Beach, Fla., 33404. Information requests can be directed to info@wamiltons.com.