Lightning danger versus no-wake zone rules

Glove · 06-22-2008, 08:46 PM

Question for the experienced boaters: We were out in the boat to swim and tube with the kids today around 11:30 am. We didn't stray more than 7 minutes from our dock. After about 45 minute, the skies became a bit darker, and at the first site of lightning off in the distance, we immediately packed it in. We had the kids on board and were on our way within 60 seconds of seeing the first lightning. On our way in, we note a few more bolts of lightning, and they were clearly getting closer. And whereas the timing between the bolt and the thunder was 5 seconds (e.g. 5 miles) when we first saw the lightning, it was now about 1-1/2 seconds (e.g. 1.5 miles). Unfortnately, there is a no wake zone to get through on our way back to the dock, and this no-wake zone stretches for about 300 yards. I came off plane, but kept it at about 7 - 8 knots to hurry our return. (We have about another 4 minutes to our dock once we get out of the no wake zone.) I was cognizant that at 7 - 8 knots, we had a wake, albeit very small one. I've always maintained headway speed in this channel out of courtesy to the property owners (and the law). But this time, I was anxious to get off the water with lightning overhead. A man came running out of his house onto towards his dock waving his arms, yelling at me "this is a no wake zone, slow down!" I yelled back, "I'm sorry, there's lightning and we need to get off the water." He yelled back, "I don't care, slow down!"

As it pertains to the "no wake zone" in this situation, it seems to me that health and safety of people take priority over property. But I've only been boating for a few years, and defer to the judgement and advice of experts here. What is the proper thing to do here?

06-22-2008, 08:46 PM	#1
Glove Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 19 Thanks: 2 Thanked 6 Times in 2 Posts	Lightning danger versus no-wake zone rules Question for the experienced boaters: We were out in the boat to swim and tube with the kids today around 11:30 am. We didn't stray more than 7 minutes from our dock. After about 45 minute, the skies became a bit darker, and at the first site of lightning off in the distance, we immediately packed it in. We had the kids on board and were on our way within 60 seconds of seeing the first lightning. On our way in, we note a few more bolts of lightning, and they were clearly getting closer. And whereas the timing between the bolt and the thunder was 5 seconds (e.g. 5 miles) when we first saw the lightning, it was now about 1-1/2 seconds (e.g. 1.5 miles). Unfortnately, there is a no wake zone to get through on our way back to the dock, and this no-wake zone stretches for about 300 yards. I came off plane, but kept it at about 7 - 8 knots to hurry our return. (We have about another 4 minutes to our dock once we get out of the no wake zone.) I was cognizant that at 7 - 8 knots, we had a wake, albeit very small one. I've always maintained headway speed in this channel out of courtesy to the property owners (and the law). But this time, I was anxious to get off the water with lightning overhead. A man came running out of his house onto towards his dock waving his arms, yelling at me "this is a no wake zone, slow down!" I yelled back, "I'm sorry, there's lightning and we need to get off the water." He yelled back, "I don't care, slow down!" As it pertains to the "no wake zone" in this situation, it seems to me that health and safety of people take priority over property. But I've only been boating for a few years, and defer to the judgement and advice of experts here. What is the proper thing to do here?