Doug Creasy

I am a commercial small boat fisherman and have twenty five years experience crossing the Tillamook bar in small, fast boats. The following are my comments on the proposed regulations. 1) The proposed regulations severely damage the small boat fleet. They basically destroy the viability of these operations. The boats need to work when the weather lets them. 2) The proposed regulations make me less safe. I only cross the bar when I feel it is safe for going out and returning. Large storms move sand in and around my crabpots, therefore this makes it hard to pull the pot off the bottom of the ocean. So, when the weather subsides I need to tend my pots or they become stuck. Pulling a tacky pot takes more time and is difficult for small boats. 3) Being forced to sell my boat,which is paid for, and buying a larger boat creates boat payments. This creates more need to cross more difficult bars. 4) Speed and experience is very important when crossing the bar and you choose to ignore these. Why? 5) Your report has examples of recent boats sinking on our bars. Had all of these fatalities been wearing life jackets, many of these people would be alive. The Coast Guard tower is close. It has an excellent view of boats crossing during daylight hours and provides help quickly. Quick enough to rescue you if you are wearing a life jacket. I always wear a lifejacket and feel comfortable crossing the bar.