Marine Academy hits the lake to learn what it takes

The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has been hosting a Marine Law Enforcement Academy for new marine patrols from around the state, and their final “classroom” came Wednesday on the waters of Lake Billy Chinook.

A total of 28 students from 13 counties, including Oregon State Police, were in their second week of training. The two-week hands-on training teaches students boat handling, marine law and different drills. Earlier lessons included a visit to the Madras Aquatic Center.

At the lake on Wednesday, student Tanner Cooney from Morrow County spent a lot of time working with his instructor, Scott McDowell of Multnomah County.

Cooney said it’s a great program that allows you to be one-on-one with your teacher.

“Every day, I go out with my instructor on this boat,” Cooney said. “We start at 7:30 a.m., we get to the lake and, for that whole day, I’m with my instructor.”

From high-speed turns to how to rescue a man who’s gone overboard, there’s plenty to learn.

Students are also taught how to recognize boaters under the influence (BUII) and how to safely pull a boat over.

Cooney said patrolling on the water is entirely different than from land.

“There’s a whole lot of water around us,” he said. “If something were to happen in a boat — I don’t want to say it’s more serious than in a car, but you have to take action. Otherwise, you’ll find yourself in a real crummy situation.”

Another student, Scott Vaughn, a senior OSP trooper stationed out of Prineville, said for some of the students, they are honing boating skills they already have. For others, it’s their first time.

“Sharpening our boating skills, or learning skills we didn’t have before,” Vaughn said.

Vaughn also stressed how getting law enforcement from different counties together to learn helps keep everyone on the same level and provide the public the same information.

“Largely, so we’re all on the same page when we’re contacting the public, giving the same information and also showing proper boating skills,” he said. “And that they’re not going to go from one body of water to another and get told or shown something different.”

Graduation comes Friday afternoon. .

For Cooney, it’s a line of work he’s just happy to be part of.

“I get to go out on sunny days and drive around on a boat,” he said. “There’s not a whole lot to complain about.”

The Marine Board contracts with 32 counties and Oregon State Police for marine law enforcement services and as a function of this partnership, the Marine Board provides the training and equipment. Marine law enforcement partners make sure everyone is safe, informed and prepared when out on the water.