Oregon COVID-19 Boating Restrictions

2020 has certainly been a challenging year for everyone due to the ongoing COVID-19 (or novel coronavirus) pandemic, and many people are looking for ways that they can still safely enjoy outdoor recreation, including boating. Fortunately, boating with those you live with is a reasonably safe recreational pastime, provided you follow state guidelines and remain vigilant when it comes to hygiene.

Active Water Sports, with locations in Beaverton and Oregon City, is your Willamette Valley boat dealer. We’ve rounded up the restrictions and rules regarding the novel coronavirus so that you can stay safe and enjoy your summer boating trips.

1. Wear a Mask

Governor Kate Brown has recently extended mask-wearing to all interior buildings as well as outdoors if social distancing cannot be maintained. You must wear a mask to enter any public building, and you must wear a mask around other people. When putting on your mask, avoid touching it as much as you can and do not touch it once it’s on your face. Make sure that the mask is covering both your nose and mouth and that it fits comfortably and snugly around your face without any gaps. Wash your hands upon removing it. Wash your mask frequently. Many fabric masks can be easily washed to kill germs. You may remove your mask once you are aboard your boat and pushed off from the dock.

2. Practice Social Distancing

Social-distancing measures are in place all across the state. It is recommended that groups of no more than 10 people gather at once. While you may wish to boat with family or friends who don’t live with you, this isn’t advisable right now due to the increase of cases throughout the state. It is wise to only boat with those you have quarantined with until the risks around contact are lessened.

When you are in public, try to keep at least 6’ of distance between yourself and those around you (who are not with your boating party). You’ll have noticed many stores and public places have markings on the floor denoting 6’ of distance to help you out with this. More distance is always better; face masks help to reduce spread when distancing is not possible. Marine law enforcement officers are patrolling boat areas to ensure that everyone is in compliance with mask-wearing and social-distancing measures, as well as the other rules such as boating registration and licensing requirements. Make sure you’re still following the usual protocols for boating like wearing a life jacket and carrying safety equipment with you.

3. Wash Your Hands & Sanitize Items

Washing your hands thoroughly and frequently with soap and water is one of the best defenses we have against the coronavirus. If you cannot wash your hands, an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that has at least 60% alcohol in it will suffice. Wash your hands thoroughly as soon as you can when you return to shore.

High-touch surfaces can also harbor the virus for some amount of time which varies depending on the material it’s made from. Make sure that you don’t touch your face or eyes after touching anything at the dock until you have washed your hands. Carry a container of bleach wipes to wipe down the controls on your boat and any other high-touch surfaces.

4. Don’t Make Unnecessary Stops

One of the biggest risks regarding outdoor recreation right now is making stops along the way. Try to fill up your car with gas and bring all the snacks and drinks and supplies you’ll need so that you aren’t tempted to grab food or items anywhere else along the route. This will help you to avoid unnecessary contact with other people, especially in small convenience stores or bait shops where social distancing may be difficult and not everyone may be wearing a mask.

5. Check To See What’s Open

Finally, it’s wise to make sure that you aren’t going to a dock or marina or beach that’s currently closed due to the pandemic. Check websites in advance to ensure that wherever you wish to boat is open. See whether any public facilities you may need are also open; restrooms and other facilities may be closed to reduce spread of the virus. There may be some restrictions or lines to prevent overcrowding at boat ramps. 

Browse our website to check out the fine selection of new and used boats for sale at our locations in Beaverton and Oregon City, OR. Active Water Sports proudly serves the greater Portland metropolitan area, as well as our neighbors along the I-5 corridor in Salem and Eugene, OR.