FLORENCE, Ore. — The Oregon Coast has some of the most treacherous river bar crossings in the country, but U.S. Coast Guard rules don’t require charter boat passengers to wear life jackets when braving those waters — at least not yet.

The federal government is considering rules to require people on the decks of recreational and uninspected boats off the coast of Oregon and Washington to wear life jackets when crossing a restricted bar. Bars can be restricted but not closed in severe weather.

Dan Shipman, a recreational boating safety specialist with the Coast Guard, says the reason for the proposed change is simple: Too many people have died.

Since 1992, the Coast Guard has counted 39 vessel capsizings that have resulted in 66 deaths. Eleven of those deaths occurred in 2003 when the charter boat Taki Tooo sank off Garibaldi. In that incident, passengers weren’t wearing life jackets.

“There’s been an accumulation of fatal accidents,” said Shipman. “We’re looking at these regulations again to make it safer for everyone.”

The rules also would require life jackets be worn by passengers on deck when commercial vessels cross a restricted bar, and keep some recreational and uninspected passenger vessels from crossing restricted bars altogether.

The proposed bar restrictions could hurt business for some, said Robert Waddell, a Newport charter captain.

He suggests authorities require recreational vessels follow new guidelines, but not necessarily charter boats.

“Charter and commercial boats have licensed captains that should be allowed to make their own decisions,” he said. “We’ve been doing this our whole lives.”

Oregon fishermen, meanwhile, say they don’t mind the new rules, especially in light of recent tragedies.

“I don’t think you’ll find too much interference,” said Mark Newell, a Newport commercial salmon troller. “I don’t think it’s unreasonable to ask guys to either put life jackets on or go in the house.”