I am very sorry to report that on September 19, 2014, on the Willamette River at approximately river mile 134, I had a very terrifying experience.

I am a woman in my 70’s and my kayaking partner is in his 60’s. We are able and experienced kayakers who paddle several times a week and have traveled this run between Peoria Park and Michael’s Landing numerous times.

At about 12:15 p.m., we were paddling downstream just to the right of the center of the river when we saw a large motor boat traveling upstream toward us at great speed. We began to move toward the right, which is the norm, expecting the motor boat to move to his right as well. Instead, he continued to aim directly toward us, still at great speed. We paddled hard for the bank, alternately signaling with our paddles, because we thought he must not have seen us. He essentially ran us off the river.

Only when he finally slowed and came to a stop next to us could we see that his boat was marked “Benton County Sheriff.” Until then, I thought we were about to be assaulted by thugs.

At that point, we could see that he was wearing a badge and that there were two other men in the boat with him. He never identified himself or offered any credentials. We were very shaken and it sort of ran through my mind that they must be out tracking dangerous criminals on the river and wanted to question us as to whether we had seen anything. We mentioned that we had been terrified and the officer responded that it wasn’t his fault we were terrified and that he was within the law.  We commented that we believe that motorized boats always cut their speed and give way to paddlers. He strongly argued the point in a very intimidating manner and said that traveling upstream required that he not reduce his speed significantly and he only had to reduce his wake near a dock. He actually said, “You are not a dock.”   [I am sure you can guess what I had to bite my tongue to keep from saying at that point.]

In fact, Oregon boating regulations (OAR 250-021-0030) clearly state that owners/operators of motorized vessels must ”  “observe a slow-no wake, maximum 5 mph speed limit within 100 ft. of any anchored or non-motorized vessel.”

Now, I am sure that officers would be within their rights to disregard these regulations when in pursuit of a criminal or when rushing to protect a citizen.  Neither was the case in this situation.  We were just two old folks, paddling along, having a lovely day on the river. He continued to speak to us in a very intimidating manner and asked to see our whistles and invasive species permits, which we gladly showed him.  Never was any identification offered nor was a word of courtesy said by him. He then started on up the river and after a few yards continued at high speed.

We still do not know why he ran us aground,  We sat there on the shore for a few minutes trying to recover and I considered dialing 911 but was afraid my call might be routed to this same person. Eventually, we took out at Michael’s Landing and loaded up our boats.  We discussed the incident at length and decided to find our way to the Benton County Sheriff’s headquarters to report what had happened. I was very politely given directions there by a Corvallis police officer I saw on the street who expressed concern for my distress.

At the Sheriff’s department, we were courteously received and thoroughly interviewed by Lt. Clay Stephens.  He asked us whether we wanted to file an official report. We decided to do that and are following through with this procedure because we sincerely hope no one else will have to undergo a similar experience. Never in my long life have I ever felt other that safe and secure when approached by law enforcement because I knew they were there to keep me safe. That was clearly not my experience today.