Deschutes SO offers pre-season boat safety checks

On Saturday, April 20th (the Saturday before opening weekend of fishing season), from 9am-3pm , the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Marine Patrol Division will conduct its annual parking lot boat safety examination day.

Successful completion of the exam, which focuses on the mandatory equipment needed for your particular boat, earns you the annual safety sticker that goes on the back of your boat. This greatly reduces the chances of you being contacted on the water by marine patrol personnel for the same examination.

No punitive action takes place. If, for example, your fire extinguisher is expired, you have the opportunity to get a new one and then earn your safety decal.

The parking lot checks will take place at the following locations:

BEND : Wholesale Sports (North End of Bend)

REDMOND : Big Country RV (3111 N. Canal)

LA PINE : Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office substation

(The old Mid-State Electric building off Hwy 97 on the south end of La Pine)

These examinations are free of charge and the event is presented as a public service by the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office.