Registration and Marina Sheriff Services
Did you know that if your boat breaks down, or you need help while out on the water, you may call the HR Sheriff’s non-emergency number and if they are available they will come help you or tow you in, free of charge? Yes, it’s true. Please put the number below in your cell phone just in case! If it’s an emergency call #911.
Hood River Marina Sheriff – 24 Hr. Non-Emergency: (541) 386-2711
Registrations: On another note, our Marine Sheriff Joel Carmody, is partially sponsored by the Oregon State Marine board. Your registration fees help fund his position. The Sheriff and Port staff will be conducting a registration inspection sometime the first week of April so please be sure to have your up to date stickers affixed to the hull of your vessel. If you have renewed your registration but not yet received your tags please put the paperwork in the window of your boat where he can see it. He will be issuing tickets. It is part of your moorage agreement for compliance. Joel let me know that if any of you would like an inspection of your vessel he would be happy to do so. He typically works weekends so that is helpful.
What size boat needs to be registered in OR? All motorized vessels need to be titled and registered, including dinghies. All sailboats 12 feet and longer in length need to be titled and registered. Non-motorized boats less than 12 feet in length do not need to be titled or registered.
New Oregon Marine Rule: E-foils now require OSMB registrations like boats.
Waterway Access Permits:
Who needs to carry a permit? Paddlecraft (SUPs, rafts, drift boats, kayaks, canoes, etc.) 10 feet long and longer will need to purchase and be able to digitally display (or have a print copy), one permit per boat, when in use.
| Type of Boat | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Out-of-state motorized boat | Out-of-state Aquatic Invasive Species Permit |
| Oregon and out-of-state non-motorized watercraft 10 feet or longer | Waterway Access Permit |
| Out-of-state sailboats 12 feet or longer | Out-of-state Aquatic Invasive Species Permit |
| Oregon sailboats 10 feet to 11 feet 11 inches long | Waterway Access Permit |
| Oregon sailboats 12 feet or longer | Oregon sailboat title and registration |
Here is the link to purchase a permit: https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/Pages/AIS-FAQs.aspx
Water Safety: Think about what you would do if you fell overboard. Could you self-rescue? What would you do if you have a man/woman overboard? What do you do if your boat breaks down? Thinking is a necessity in boating. Act with intention. Be smart about your activity and understand how your activity impacts those around you. There are some great resources on the OSMB website: https://www.oregon.gov/osmb/boater-info/pages/safety-and-education.aspx . Remember, early season conditions consist of very cold water temperatures that can be life threatening and lots of debris flowing out of the rivers. Pay attention, be safe, and dress accordingly.
Got Kids?
- Check out the Gorge Jr. Sailing kids learn to sail programs for this summer: https://gorgejuniorsailing.org/
- Wylde Wind and Water for kids SUP & Wingfoil programs: https://www.wyldewindandwater.org/
- and Big Winds for kids windsurfing camps: https://bigwinds.com/kids-camps-2024/
What equipment do you need on Motorboats 16’ and over in Oregon? Plan ahead and be prepared!
- Wearable Life Jackets
- Boats under 26 feet need to carry properly-fitting, U.S. Coast Guard -approved wearable life jacket(s) for each person on board and the life jacket must be readily accessible. The boat must also carry a Type IV throwable cushion. All children 12 and younger are required to wear a life jacket while on an open deck or cockpit when a boat is underway or being towed.
- *Motorboats less than 16 feet in length and all paddlecraft need to carry properly-fitting, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket(s) for each person on board and the life jacket must be readily accessible, but are not required to carry a Type IV throwable cushion.
- Sound Devices?
- A boat less than 39 feet 4 inches (12 meters) must carry a sound producing device such as a whistle or compressed air horn. It’s easy to attach a whistle to a life jacket. Both are required equipment.
- Fire Extinguisher when no fixed fire extinguishing system is installed. Every motorboat, except outboard motorboats less than 26 feet in length of open construction, shall carry on board, fully charged and in serviceable condition a B-I (or 5-B) type hand portable, marine-approved fire extinguisher.
- Carburetor Backfire Flame Arrestor is required for inboard motors not exposed to the atmosphere above the gunwale.
- Muffling System for the exhaust of each internal combustion engine.
- Ventilation System
- The particular type depends on when the boat was built.
- Navigation Lighting? -Lights are required only when the boat is underway or at anchor between sunset and sunrise and during restricted visibility.
Part of your motorboat registration fees go into the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program and Abandoned/Derelict Vessel Removal Fund, as well as helping fund marine law enforcement and boating facility grants.
Looking forward to another great summer!