OSU Small Boat Program

With next week's Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) upon us, here are some highlights from our last MOTC in June!

While we’ll be training in the Yaquina Bay next week, these photos were taken on the Willamette River in Corvallis, OR. This was our first time hosting training in Corvallis, and we hope to do the same in the future for those wanting to operate more inland, or for those who struggle to make it out to the coast!

If you’re not signed up for our August class, we encourage you to sign up for our last class of the year October 6th-9th! We’re looking forward to getting out on the water next week with a new batch of operators 🛥️

Summer’s here, and so is our busiest field season!

We kicked things off aboard the R/V BBQ and R/V Mishki with divers from Oregon’s Reef Check team. While sunny skies weren’t present, calm waters allowed us to help Reef Check monitor the health of Oregon's kelp forests.

We’re excited to be supporting researchers this summer and beyond!

Join us tomorrow (4/11) for Marine Science Day at the Hatfield Marine Science Center in Newport, OR from 10am–4pm.

Stop by to explore hands-on exhibits, connect with marine scientists, and check out Mishki, the newest addition to our small boat fleet, on display.

First work day aboard Mishki!

Great to get our newest addition to the centralized fleet out on the water. This trip brought together partners from OSU, ODFW, and the Oregon Coast Aquarium to train marine reserve divers who will be monitoring the health of Oregon’s five marine reserves.

Looking forward to many more days supporting research, training, and collaboration on the water!

Today we took OSU’s newest addition to the centralized fleet, Mishki, out for her maiden voyage—and it was a huge success. This moment marks the culmination of 6 months of work acquiring, repairing, and preparing this 27' Boston Whaler Guardian for scientific boating.

Big thanks to Ethan and Pete for being part of this milestone day. I could definitely get used to cruising at 30+ knots.

Looking ahead to an exciting boating field season! 🚤

Last week the OSU Small Boat Program hosted two days of vessel safety inspections, one in Corvallis and one in Newport. We had 15 participants and completed inspections on 10 boats.

Annual vessel safety inspections are a key step in preparing for boating operations. Your boat is your life support system on the water, and taking time ahead of the season to check equipment, safety gear, and overall condition helps ensure you are ready for the work ahead.

If you are an OSU boat operator and you need to schedule a vessel safety inspection, please get in touch with the Small Boat Program.

OSU Fieldwork Safety Day in Corvallis is tomorrow! The Small Boat Program will be there conducting hands-on fire suppression training. This event is limited to 50 participants so make sure to register soon! Registration can be found at this link: beav.es/NBk

OSU Fieldwork Safety Day will be from 8:00am - 12:00pm at the LaSells Stewart Center - Agriculture Production Room. This event includes presentations about off-road driving and wildland fire safety, followed by hands-on training at Parker Plaza. This will include using a live fire extinguisher training, fire safety gear demonstration, and vehicle safety equipment practice and vehicle safety checks!

This Day, we're inviting alumni and supporters to power the future of hands-on marine education and safety through the OSU Small Boat Program. Your donation helps train the next generation of scientists, researchers, and professionals in safe boating practices and field readiness.

From equipment upgrades to student training, your gift directly fuels real-world learning and research.

Give back to the program that makes a difference — in the classroom, on the water, and beyond.
Donate today: https://www.damproudday.org/organizations/small-boat-program

Thank you for keeping our waters — and our students — safe and strong.

OSU's Small Boat program is excited to share this collaborative project with a talented OSU undergrad, Luke Hunter! Luke created the very first logo for our program!

Luke is a freelance graphic designer and a 4th-year Design & Innovation Management major (with a minor in Graphic Design), also pursuing a career in brand and project management.

If you’ve created Scientific Boating or Boating Safety-themed artwork, we’d love to see it. With your permission, we may feature your work on our website, socials, or even as printed stickers!

Climb aboard the R/V Kalipi during Hatfield Marine Science Day on Saturday. April 12, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m!
Visitors are invited to go up on deck to learn about this unique 29’ aluminum nearshore research vessel. The Kalipi was built specifically to be used year-round on Oregon's inland and nearshore coastal waters. It is capable of towing nets, deploying oceanographic equipment, and supporting diving operations. You can learn more about this craft at the OSU Small Boat Programs at https://research.oregonstate.edu/ori/boating
Find a full list of exhibits and Marine Science Day events at https://hmsc.oregonstate.edu/marine-science-day.

Also, look for our table at upcoming events! We were at the Oceans and Coasts Resource Fair last week and enjoyed meeting everyone who showed up.