Lake Host documenting personal info?

[Skip]

I want to thank the staff at the Association for taking my call and explaining their program, and satisfying my curiosity about the taking down of bow numbers when an individual voluntarily participates in the inspection.

The link I had provided earlier explains the whole program in detail, includes the actual form being used and clearly indicates in its instructions to its hosts that interaction with the public is strictly voluntary.

They are violating no Local, State or Federal law by annotating the bow number in their form, and they are not linking any address, name, dob or any other personal information on the form to the bow number.

As has been previously stated, the bow number they are using for tracking is a public number. That is why it is required by law to be prominently displayed on the bow!

It took me less than a minute doing an internet search to find the answer to every question posed in this thread.

It took me just a few minutes on the phone with a very courteous staff member to explain the allegations being made here, get clear answers to the program and be satisifed that no one's privacy was nefariously being invaded.

I just don't understand why people don't talk on the phone anymore. Whether its the Marine Patrol, local or State officials or the fine folks at the NH Lakes Association there usually is someone always available to answer your question.

Anyway, I thank the Lake Association for tackling this very serious issue and tip my hat to them for coming onboard here in an attempt to clarify their important program.....

[DEJ]

I think some here have missed the point. From the first post "my wife asked the two Lake Host people who approched the boat we were launching, NOT to record our bow and/or licence plate numbers and they responded that they would not. They did any way."

From the very informative post from the NHLA I understand why they do it however I believe loopcharged asked that they do not for whatever reason however they did so anyway. I believe this was their problem and I see no answer from anyone here as to why that happened.

[NH LAKES ASSOCIATION]

Originally Posted by DEJ

I think some here have missed the point. From the first post "my wife asked the two Lake Host people who approched the boat we were launching, NOT to record our bow and/or licence plate numbers and they responded that they would not. They did any way."

I believe that was their problem and I see no answer from anyone here as to why that happened.

DEJ - That is a good point, and I believe you are right that loopcharged's original issue was with the Lake Hosts recording his bow number after he asked them not to. Like I said before, there are two sides to this story.

Skip - Thank you for your kind words and for spending some time researching our organization. We are very proud of our Lake Host program and how successful it has been over the years. It is important that people realize that our goal is to stop the spread of exotic aquatic species through education and outreach. This involves thousands of interactions with boaters each year, and, unfortunately, it is likely that a few interactions, like the one that spurred this duscussion, will not be positive.

[MAXUM]

Hmm this is kind of interesting.

Since I have to launch every time I go to the lake I've gotten to know a couple of the lake hosts that typically sit at the ramp that I use. They have been very nice and courteous. The first time I see a new person they are friendly, introduce themselves and explain what they are there for and as a personal aside I think this program is more worthwhile, if for nothing else to educate people. Anyways never have I had any one of them just come up and inspect, rather they ask which I am more than happy to oblige.

Now that all said, every time I go in my bow numbers are recorded, I was not aware they were taking my plate number too, but as already stated it's out there for everyone to see so I see no harm. I don't subscribe to the conspiracy theory that somehow your being tracked other than maybe at the end of the year the NH Lakes Assoc may compile the data to see how boats may be used or not in various water bodies and which ones to determine where they should focus their efforts.

If anyone is that worried about this information, believe me there is so much personal information that can be gotten with a computer, a little money and a few simple sites on the internet. There is no such thing as private data anymore. The lake host program is the last thing I'd be worried about. However if the kids doing it are not respectful of anyone who requests their information not be recorded that puts a bad face on an organization who is trying to do something worthwhile and noble. That is unfortunate.

[Sman]

If you do NOT want to be found do the following...

1: Get your name recorded in a police report
2: Start a forum thread about it with a facebook link
3: Start a blog about it, no start 2 blogs
4: Provide information on past employment
5: Provide information on where you live and how long you have lived there

But do not under any circumstance provide your bow number

Seriously, you sound genuinely upset about the events at the dock and it makes sense that your mad that someone lied to you for no good reason, who wouldn't be, and we are told here that hosts have been trained to not do the exact thing you claimed they did (I know 2 sides to the story) if they did, then shame on them, but... the steps taken here are not consistent with trying to not be found

[Skip]

HERE is a direct link to the form in question.

Only boat bow numbers are recorded if applicable. No personal information is recorded, and no vehicle plate numbers are recorded.

A bow number in and of itself is not personal. Only when that number is researched and a name attached does it become personal. The bow number also only indicates the registered entity, it does not have the ability to list who the operator or occupants are at any given time.

The NH Lakes Association does not inquire of the State who the boat is registered to. The information is only used on site that day at that ramp to keep track of who has already been inspected and given the presentation.

Finally, none of us know what the verbal exchange was at the ramp that day. We have one anonymous version. There is also another version that I am sure is held by the Lake hosts, and probably a third version held by the Police department.

But unless any of us were there any conversations, accusations or actions is mere speculation on are part.

That said, I am glad thart the original post appeared. It allowed me a reason to be aware of the program, motivated me to call the NH Lakes Association and get straight answers to their actions and has allowed me to develop an informed opinion that they have an excellent and well needed program in place.

Thank you NH Lakes Association. I hope you folks post regularly here on the dangers of invasive species and what we can do as boaters to mitigate the risks...

[loopcharged]

My wife asked Lake Host not to record the numbers and that should have been the end of it. I can only hope that in the future Lake Host representatives will respect the wishes of PRIVATE citizens and perform accordingly.

[DEJ]

I still do not understand why the lake host recorded their bow number when asked not to. Seems like a simple question however no answer has been given.

[Skip]

Originally Posted by DEJ

I still do not understand why the lake host recorded their bow number when asked not to. Seems like a simple question however no answer has been given.

Simple.

You were not there so you have no way of knowing the sequence of events.

The bow number could have easily been put on the form prior to the request being made not to do the inspection.

"...it helps to jot down the bow number so that the next Lake Host on duty is aware that the boater will not want to be approached once he or she departs the lake..."


As noted above, the spokesperson for the Lakes Association already indicated that bow numbers are recorded at times even when the boat is not inspected, so that the same boat will not be approached again.

None of us have no way of knowing who said what to who that day, or when the number in question was actually "jotted down" and we never will.

[DEJ]

No skip, this is simple, why did the lake host record that info when specifically asked not to, that is the question. You were not there either might I remind you so your scenerio of events is a moot point. Seems like a pretty simple question to me.

[loopcharged]

Actually, My wife was present as the Lake Host people approched the boat in question and was witness to the documentation of the bow numbers. When she witnessed the Lake Host man writing she asked "are you writing down the bow numbers" . He replied, yes. She then asked him to remove the number from the list. He assured her he would. He did not.

[DEJ]

Thank you for that reply loop, perhaps now skip has the info he needs from someone who was there. The question still remains, why did they record this info when asked not to? Since you were not there skip let those that were handle this from here. It is a little concerning that the NHLA has skirted the original question of why did they record the numbers against the wishes of the boat owner?.

[jrc]

I subscribe to the belief that anytime you give information to anyone it can be abused. But since the numbers are in 3 inch high across the bow or slightly smaller on the bumper, what can you do?

Given what Google can do these days, there is no real expectation of privacy anymore, have you looked at street view or Bings birdeye? Google reads every Gmail, they will read this after it's posted. It's enough to make you a little paranoid. These groups all promise to "do no harm" but data has a tendency to leak out and data lasts a lot longer than the "good" people now in charge. Look at the news. This is small potatoes.