The US Coast Guard has proposed a new rule to create the Regulated Navigation Areas (USCG 2008-1017) along the Oregon and Washington coasts.  This rule would include the coastal inlets and rivers that have hazardous bars, like the Columbia river bar.

This  rule would establish procedures for restricting recreational and uninspected passenger vessel traffic from crossing the bar within the RNA.  It would also establish clear procedures for closing the hazardous bars within the RNA during severe conditions.  You’d think recreational vessel owners would know better but hey, I’ve seen some pretty stupid people out there.

USCG-2008-1017  would also set additional safety requirements for recreational and small commercial vessels to comply with during certain hazardous conditions.  The US Coast Guard is encouraging the public to view the final rule and to participate in this rule making by submitting comments until March 16, 2009.  So if you’d like to read the proposed rule, make a comment or sign up for email notification, here’s your link.  There are several new regulations listed on that page  so as you scroll down remember to look for “Regulated Navigation Areas”.

After looking through what’s in USGC-2008-1017 it really seems to be a no brainer.  Unless there’s something hidden in the text it just boils down to ‘wear your vest’.  If you found this helpful, please remember I have a real estate license and if you’re going to buy or sell I’d love to refer a local agent for an interview.  It costs you nothing and if you use them, they pay me a percentage which helps me keep this blog on the web.  Remember, only an idiot would be crossing the bar in bad weather conditions wearing no vest!