Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Offers Free Boat Safety Inspections

Marine deputies will provide no-penalty inspections to ensure vessels meet safety requirements before boating season.

Apr. 10, 2026 at 8:25pm

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An extremely blurred, impressionistic photograph of a small boat floating on a calm lake, with the surrounding landscape and sky rendered in soft, hazy tones of green, blue, and yellow.The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is helping local boaters prepare for a safe season with free, voluntary safety inspections.Bend Today

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is hosting free, voluntary boat safety inspections on April 18, 2026 at two locations in Bend and La Pine, Oregon. DCSO Marine Deputies will conduct the inspections, answer questions, and help boat operators prepare their vessels for a safe boating season. Boats that pass the inspection will receive an official sticker, while those that don't meet requirements will receive guidance to bring them into compliance, with no citations issued.

Why it matters

These safety inspections provide an opportunity for local boaters to ensure their equipment is up to state and federal standards before launching onto Oregon's waterways, promoting safe recreational boating and reducing potential accidents or incidents on the water.

The details

The free boat safety inspections will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. on April 18, 2026 at two locations: the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office main office parking lot in Bend and the La Pine County Services Center. DCSO Marine Deputies will conduct the inspections, answer any questions boaters may have, and provide guidance to help operators bring their vessels into compliance if they do not initially meet safety requirements.

  • The boat safety inspections will take place on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
  • The inspections will run from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The players

Deschutes County Sheriff's Office

The law enforcement agency for Deschutes County, Oregon, which is hosting the free boat safety inspection event.

Ty Rupert

The Deschutes County Sheriff, who emphasizes the importance of promoting safety for local boaters before the start of the season.

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What they’re saying

“These inspections give boaters an opportunity to ensure their equipment meets safety standards before launching. While enforcement is part of our daily work, we also want to help citizens be in compliance before they hit the water this spring and summer. This free event is a great opportunity.”

— Ty Rupert, Deschutes County Sheriff

What’s next

Boaters can learn more about the voluntary vessel safety checks by visiting the Deschutes County Sheriff's Office website.

The takeaway

The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office is proactively promoting safe boating practices by offering free, no-penalty safety inspections to local residents, helping ensure their vessels meet all necessary requirements before the start of the season.