February 24, 2025 10:50 a.m. 

The Douglas County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting three boat safety inspection clinics throughout the county.

Undersheriff Brad O’Dell said this is a free opportunity to have a boat of any kind inspected to ensure it meets all legal requirements for the upcoming boating season. O’Dell said this is a great way to ensure boaters have all the required safety equipment, learn about life jacket safety or boating laws and ask any boating related questions of marine deputies. There are no penalties for failing an inspection at one of the clinics.

The motorized inspection will include checking for:

*Approved life jackets

*Working fire extinguishers

*Approved Type IV floatation devices

*Working engine blower fans, if required

*Assist with proper placement of Oregon registration numbers and registration stickers.

O’Dell said deputies can also answer questions about non-motorized boats and the requirements pertaining to them. Any non-motorized boat, including paddle craft, 10 feet or longer are required to have a waterway access permit.

The clinics will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.at:

*Winston Bi-Mart on Saturday March 29th

*Roseburg Bi-Mart on Saturday April 5th

*Sutherlin Bi-Mart on Saturday April 12th

If the boat passed inspection, a 2025 inspection sticker will be issued.