Runaway boat in Gilford
 

Not much info on that article, but the video—posted on the iBoat Facebook page last night as well—is impressive. Those guys deserve a bonus!

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Perhaps we need a billboard campaign...

"GOT LANYARD?"

X2. That is beyond impressive. That could have been really ugly.

More to the story:
https://www.wmur.com/article/teenage...ee-nh/61511204

Alan

Wow! So rare to see a spontaneous heroic act, that could have been a very bad scene. Also charming that he is modest. Make sure to watch the whole video, it takes a few minutes to get to his jump.

Lanyard Law
 

Didn’t the lanyard law pass this year?

Glad everyone is OK!

Dan

Until you need it...
 

I guess the lanyard law doesn't apply...until you need it! :eek:

Dave

In a situation like that I believe jumping into the boat is certainly NOT recommended.

A much safer response would be to throw a line (floating, if possible or one with fenders tied to both ends) in the path of the circling boat. The line, if thrown properly- it might take more than one attempt, will get fouled in the prop- thus stopping the boat safely.

New Hampshire Marine Patrol- your thoughts? Best course of action?

It passed a couple of years ago.

I just heard on WMUR that the lanyard law goes into effect on August 13. As far as the operator of the runaway boat in smith cove he would not have been required to wear a lanyard assuming he was operating under headway speed. I think we have to say it was a freak accident. Thankfully the young guy who jumped into the boat didn't get hurt. It could have ended badly.

Here's the original full video, if you haven't seen it yet:

https://youtu.be/79W09Cx5PL4

How it happened:

The LWSA uses tennis balls as a training aid for the students.

The instructor (capt that fell out) was reaching down over the gunnel to grab a tennis ball in the water. At that moment, one of the student's boat tipped and his boom struck the throttle forward and threw the instructor out of the boat.

Luckily it was running in a tight circle, and no one was hurt!

Yes, I saw most of it, except the capt getting thrown out.

Brady (the teen that jumped into the runaway boat) is only 17 and is headed to the Navy in two months.

They tried to throw a line, unfortunately it didn't work.

I am not sure where you are getting your information. It does not matter what speed you are going.

New April 1, 2021 safety lanyard wearing rule applies to 3-hp and larger engines on boats up to 25' 11" in all the 50 states, inland waters and coastal ocean waters. It applies to all U.S. navigable waters.

My understanding of the law (regulation?) is that the lanyard is not required when docking or operating at low speed.

Is the definition of "low speed" idling, headway or no wake?

I do not know.

Perhaps a link to the exact text can be found.

New Lanyard law effective Aug 13.
 

Here's a link https://trackbill.com/bill/new-hamps...speed/2456425/

Only applies for boats under 26 feet, more than 3hp and only when going above headway speed.

Sununu signed it on June 14, 2024 and it goes into effect on Aug 13, 2024.

So typical that there are so many loopholes. Most significant is that boats manufactured prior to 2020 are grandfathered with no requirement. That's well over half the boats on the lake.

The article linked says it works if the operator falls overboard.

It also works if the operator stays aboard but falls away from the helm.

It is hard to get a regulation approved or law passed if it requires the expensive retrofitting of the entire pleasure boat fleet.

Going forward the lanyard switch will become the norm.

Outboards with tillers can be especially dangerous if the operator falls out.

I have installed lanyard switches on several of mine that were not equiped with them when built.

Here is the text of the bill: https://legiscan.com/NH/text/HB1045/id/3009358
In it, the part regarding exceptions reads: " III. Paragraph II shall not apply if:

(a) The main helm of the vessel is installed within an enclosed cabin.

(b) The vessel or outboard engine was manufactured prior to 2020 and was not equipped with an ECOS."

That last part ("...and was not equipped...") implies that even if the boat were manufactured prior to 2020, if it has the ECOS then it must be used.

If it covers all 50 states, it's a federal law or regulation, not New Hampshire. And the federal definition of "navigable waters" varies depending on the context, so whatever federal law or regulation you are referring to may not cover Lake Winnipesaukee.

Edited to add: I found the relevant federal law, 46 USC Section 4312. https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/46/4312

The boat's speed does in fact matter under the federal statute: "An individual operating a covered recreational vessel shall use an engine cut-off switch link while operating on plane or above displacement speed."

Also, in section 4301, this federal statute specifically does not apply to certain waters that are entirely within the state of New Hampshire, including Lake Winnipesaukee. The recently enacted New Hampshire law will be solely applicable as of August 13th.

Give credit to the jetski driver!
 

The guy driving the jetski was pretty savvy, navigating next to the runaway boat, and jockeying in such a manner that he managed not to hit anything and made it as doable as possible for the 17 year old jumper. Yikes! Quite a feat for both, and miraculous that there were no injuries.

Yes, the guy driving the jetski did a great job. Both deserve a lot of credit.