MARINE PATROL

The Ocean Shores Police Marine Patrol Unit was instituted in 1989. Primarily funded through the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission's Safe Boating Program the Marine Patrol is responsible for the enforcement of boating regulations on Ocean Shores 26 miles of freshwater canals as well as Duck Lake and Lake Minard. This funding is generated through county vessel registration fees. A portion of these fees is returned to the county of origin and dispersed equitably among the agencies that have State approved Safe Boating Programs.

The Ocean Shores Police Department is capable of responding 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to vessel accidents and complaints. A 16-foot Campion boat as well as a SeaDoo personal watercraft patrol the waterways. The Marine Patrol Unit consists of 4 certified Safe Boating Officers, all of who have received specialized training in boat handling and laws related to the use of the waterways. Civilian Crime Watch Volunteers who have received special training are authorized to work as crewmembers for these officers.

Besides the enforcement aspect, the Marine Patrol Unit is tasked with public education on safe boating. One officer is designated as an Education Officer and is responsible for providing boating safety education to the community. Every fourth grade elementary school student receives instruction on safe boating practices. The Marine Patrol Unit also provides literature and presentations at public functions and is available to talk to specific interest groups or organizations.

Below are listed several of the more important regulations regarding safe boating. This is only a partial list and every boater is encouraged to read the Washington Boaters Guide of Rules, Regulations and Safety Afloat for more information. These guides are available from any boating officer and at the Police Department.

• All vessels must have valid registration, and registration decals must be properly displayed.
• Every vessel is required to have a Type I, II or III personal floatation device for each person on board.
• Children under 12, while on vessels 19 feet or less are required to wear a Coast Guard approved personal flotation device at all times.
• No one under 10 years old may operate any motorboat.
• No one under 16 years old may operate a motorboat with an engine larger than 10 horsepower unless under immediate adult supervision. ( This includes personal watercraft)
• Personal watercraft are prohibited from all freshwater areas within the City. (Law Enforcement is exempt from this restriction)
• The maximum speed limit on the lakes of Ocean Shores is 35 mph unless posted otherwise. All canals are 5-mph or wake speed.
• A vessel shal not exceed five miles per hour or wake speed when operating on Duck Lake north of the East Chance Ala Mer NE bridge
• The speed limit within 50 feet of any shoreline, buoy, dock or other vessels is 5 mph or wake speed.
• Boating While Intoxicated and negligent vessel operations are strictly forbidden.
• Any organized Marine Event (regattas, races, tournaments and exhibitions) require a Marine Event Permit issued by the Police Department.
• All vessels must stop when signaled to do so by the Marine Patrol.

For more boating safety information and resources, please check out Washington Boating Safety Officers Association web site at http://www.boatwashington.org/