The Fourth of July weekend - and a prediction of high temperatures – will find many Oregonians heading out for fun on boats.

KGW file photo

The Lane County sheriff’s office is joining other police agencies statewide in issuing some reminders and tips. Go here for a complete list of boating regulations.

All boats are required to have a properly fitting life jacket for each person on board. Take the extra step and wear it, not just having it handy.

Imagine if you will, says Sgt. Cliff Harrold of the Lane County Marine Patrol, trying to put on a seat belt as your crashing your car. The same poor decision mirrors grabbing a life jacket as a boat suddenly capsizes.

Drinking and boating accounts for one in five boating-related deaths, according to U.S. Coast Guard statistics, Harrold says.

Boating under the influence with a blood-alcohol level is against the law and can lead to fines totaling $6,250, a year jail and loss of boating licenses. In Oregon, even with a lower blood-alcohol level, a flunked field sobriety test can still lead to an arrest, says Harrold. Abuse of drugs other than alcohol can also lead to an arrest.

Even without heavy drinking, alcohol can impair the ability to drive boat. It can enhance fatigue at the worst of times, for example, falling into frigid water. Passengers should also avoid intoxication. It’s easy to just fall out of a boat, Harrold says.