Coast Guard Sector Columbia River concluded Buoy 10 operations at boat launches, marinas and on the water near the entrance to the Columbia River this week.

Buoy 10 is a popular fishing area near the Columbia River entrance where large numbers of salmon gather annually, attracting high volumes of fishermen.

Coast Guard Sector Columbia River active, reserve and auxiliary members were at marinas and boat launches in Ilwaco and Chinook, Wash., as well as Warrenton and Hammond to educate boaters about the dangers of the area, emergency and radio procedures, personal floatation devices and safe boating practices, Aug. 1-31.

“This operation is always a great opportunity for the boating public to interact with and receive information from Coast Guard Sector Columbia River during one of the busiest recreational fisheries on the Columbia River,” said Capt. Leonard Tumbarello, Sector Columbia River Deputy Commander.

“The overall objective of the operation is to ensure the public is educated on recreational boating safety in an attempt to minimize injury or loss of life during this recreational salmon fishery. Over the past 10 years, Buoy 10 operations have made an incredible difference in the number of injuries and fatalities during this time of year on the treacherous Columbia River.”

Seven people died in 2001 during the recreational salmon fishery on the Columbia River. These deaths were mostly attributed to the unsafe boating practices of inexperienced boaters, poor knowledge of the area and insufficient emergency procedures.

Coast Guard Buoy 10 operations have educated boaters, providing them with information on how to prevent and survive boating accidents. The number of deaths has been significantly reduced in recent years.

Leaders say that Coast Guard auxiliary embers have been especially critical to the success of Buoy 10 operations, volunteering thousands of hours each year in support of the Coast Guard.

Auxiliary members contacted 14,653 vessels and distributed 2,049 safety information packets this year.