Boating Safety – Crabbing

While the Fall months offer the best crabbing opportunities in our local bays, crabbing is open year round in our bays. The Yaquina and Alsea bays are the most productive in Lincoln County. With the addition of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to Yaquina Bay, it is important to understand where it is safe to place crab traps or anchor boats. NOAA Ships are very large vessels that need to operate in the dredged channels, so other vessels should not interfere with their ingress and egress to the bay. Listed below are suggestions and rules which apply to placement of crab traps and anchoring boats.

• Place crab traps or rings outside the navigational channel.
• Use appropriate rope/line for depth of water. A rope too long for the depth of water may float on top creating a navigational hazard. If your rope is too long for the depth of water a small weight attached between the float and trap will help keep it under the surface.
• Add weight to the trap which will help prevent it from “walking” or moving with the strong tidal flows.

Boating Safety – Anchoring

Each year, improper anchoring is the cause of injury and death. Swift currents, high flows and cold water make the following anchoring procedures imperative. Please be aware that strong tidal currents change approximately every six (6) hours.
• Use anchor line five to seven times the depth of the water.
• Bring the bow into the wind or current; place motorboat engines into neutral.
• Lower the anchor over the bow, do not toss or throw it overboard.
• Always secure the anchor line to the bow.
• Never anchor over the stern or sides of boats; this has caused many boats to capsize and sink.
• Make sure arms, legs, hands, and feet are completely clear of the line before lowering the anchor.
Anchoring in a position that obstructs a passageway ordinarily used by other boats is prohibited by law. For additional boating tips, call the Oregon State Marine Board and request a copy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers “Anchor Safely” tip sheet.

For further information on Boating in Oregon, people are encouraged to pick up the Oregon Boaters Handbook available at your Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office or you can visit the Oregon State Marine Board website.

For more information and tips, visit our website and on your Smartphone via the “MobilePatrol” app and Like us on Facebook.