[Outlaw]

Here's a question that will stir up things.......

Let me stage a picture in your mind. It's Saturday, July 2nd, 2005 a long holiday weekend at 2:00 PM and there are in excess of 100 boats in the Broads alone and at least 1/2 that in Paugus Bay and in at least 100 boats elsewhere on the lake (not anchored or docked). For argument sake, lets say 20% of these boats are technically in violation of the proposed 45mph.

How would you propose this law be enforced? Meaning, how would violators be detected, stopped, and written up. Not to mention how the whole process would work in the courts when tickets are protested - "who" would be responsible to show up to enforce the violation.............

Now keep in mind that New Hampshire Marine Patrol came out against this proposed bill last time it was out.


Why do you think these boaters are violating the (proposed) speed limit? Is it because they can? Well, that is probably true - why not, we do it on the roads, so why not do it on the water. At least on the roads we have rules and laws that are enforced such as white lines, yellow lines, traffic lights and signs (a million signs of all sorts). None of which exist on the water. We do have rules and laws for the water, many of which I am most confident the average boater who comes to Winni may not be aware of. I'm sure you've all heard them at least once in your lifetime (hopefully). Maybe even some of you took a boating safety course to learn more about them. But how many boaters out there either haven't yet taken the course, or did but did not take is seriously, but rather just to pass and get the required certification, because that's what NH says we must do. How frustrating it must be for those boaters who did take the course and took it seriously and abide by the rules and regs and each day encounter someone who does not. Similar to why insurance rates continue to sky rocket, we all end up paying for those select few who continue to ignore the laws. I can only hope that some day those select few will meet with 'justice'.

I can quote you all the boating safety laws for NH, but better yet, why not just visit one of the following web sites to learn about them. The more you know the better empowered you are to operate your vessel in a safe manner and avoid dangerous situations, of which speed can be one of them.

Many of you have done this last year (and thank you all), and you need to do it again this year, is visit the Town Docks (usually Meredith, Wolfeboro and Alton) on one of the predefined Vessel Safety Check days. Not only to have your boat inspected for NH safety rules and regs, but to learn more about NH Boating Rules and Regs in general from your Vessel Examiner. There are two dates scheduled at this time: June 11th and July 23rd, 2005 (typically 8AM to 4PM).

Also, May 21 - 27, 2005 is National Safe Boating Week. Check with your areas local Marina to see what activities are planned around the lakes region.

Here are the sites I spoke of:
http://www.lrsps.org
http://usps.org/national
http://state.nh/us/safety/ss/

Thank you and safe boating to all this summer.