In the Spirit of Compromise....

VtSteve · 08-14-2009, 08:29 PM

Case in point. It's going to be a crazy weekend out there because it's the first weekend of summer

I just witnessed something new here on Lake Champlain. Coming back at twilight, through 15 minutes past sundown, many, many boats heading through the bay. It's about six miles out to the broad lake. Coming in, at 21.5 mph.

I saw

1) six PWC's at full clip (no lights, law says no PWC's) off my port bow.

2) four different boats, no lights, willy nilly, too close, no right of way, etc...

3) worst of all, at the beginning of my return from pizza eating at sunset....

Two boats off my starboard bow, closing quickly. I was apparently in the middle

My lights were on, none from theirs. One was a Sea Doo small craft Boat, the other was a quai GF boat around 25/26'. The Sea Doo saw me. I might have actually made a mistake by immediately slowing to headway speed. (I was wondering if I should just turn around and gun it). The other larger boat?

He never changed course, never slowed down, AND NEVER EVEN SAW ME

He was standing in the center of the boat, head turned starboard towards the read, TALKING TO A PASSENGER!!!!

Both were doing probably around 35 to 40 mph.

But wait, it gets better.

A POLICE BOAT witnessed the boats and PWC's out at dark with no lights. He just kept going, and HE was too close to me.

Sad, so sad.

BroadHopper · 08-14-2009, 08:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtSteve

A POLICE BOAT witnessed the boats and PWC's out at dark with no lights. He just kept going, and HE was too close to me.

Sad, so sad.

I have witness similar episodes on Lake Sebago in ME. Lake Webster in MA. Lake George in NY, Lake Norman in NC, The intercoastal in FL. No wonder the Boneheads are from out of state!

We just need a law to make sure our MPs are fully funded and have the latest technology to enforce the current laws. Not more laws to burden the MPOs

VtSteve · 08-14-2009, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I have witness similar episodes on Lake Sebago in ME. Lake Webster in MA. Lake George in NY, Lake Norman in NC, The intercoastal in FL. No wonder the Boneheads are from out of state!

We just need a law to make sure our MPs are fully funded and have the latest technology to enforce the current laws. Not more laws to burden the MPOs

It won't happen. I sort of share BI's frustration in this. Many pretty much knew that funding wouldn't increase, and enforcement wouldn't be very good either. So, they reasoned that the SL law might cut down on cowboys and boat traffic, and have some positive impact.

Maybe they're not wrong.

But this is the reason that I'm not out there shouting about heroics on the water either. Some good is done, but bad as well.

08-14-2009, 08:29 PM	#1
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Case in point. It's going to be a crazy weekend out there because it's the first weekend of summer I just witnessed something new here on Lake Champlain. Coming back at twilight, through 15 minutes past sundown, many, many boats heading through the bay. It's about six miles out to the broad lake. Coming in, at 21.5 mph. I saw 1) six PWC's at full clip (no lights, law says no PWC's) off my port bow. 2) four different boats, no lights, willy nilly, too close, no right of way, etc... 3) worst of all, at the beginning of my return from pizza eating at sunset.... Two boats off my starboard bow, closing quickly. I was apparently in the middle My lights were on, none from theirs. One was a Sea Doo small craft Boat, the other was a quai GF boat around 25/26'. The Sea Doo saw me. I might have actually made a mistake by immediately slowing to headway speed. (I was wondering if I should just turn around and gun it). The other larger boat? He never changed course, never slowed down, AND NEVER EVEN SAW ME He was standing in the center of the boat, head turned starboard towards the read, TALKING TO A PASSENGER!!!! Both were doing probably around 35 to 40 mph. But wait, it gets better. A POLICE BOAT witnessed the boats and PWC's out at dark with no lights. He just kept going, and HE was too close to me. Sad, so sad.