Despite many public warnings ahead of the summer, Oregon still saw multiple accidental drownings this year.
Seventeen people have died in boating-related accidents in 2024 so far, according to the Oregon State Marine Board, a slight increase from 2023’s total of 14. Those figures don’t include people who died in the water outside of a vessel.
One of the highest profile drownings came in July when famed chef Naomi Pomeroy got caught in a snag on the Willamette River near Corvallis. The Willamette saw four total boating-related deaths this year.
“I think sometimes people take the Willamette for granted,” said Bob Sallinger, executive director of the Willamette Riverkeepers. “They see it as kind of a lazy, slow moving, safe river. In fact, many parts are fast moving and have real hazards.”…