Increased Marine Patrol Enforcements?

[The Worm]

I was on the lake last weekend, heading into Alton Bay just off Sandy Point near the sandbar. There was a bass boat (Ranger, Nitro style) towing a disabled PWC with the rider still on the PWC, maybe needed for steerage - I'm not familiar? I wanted to give them some space, and in an effort not to capsize the PWC with my wake I went as far right as I could toward the spar marker near the sandbar. Three boats, all Formulas - appeared to be together - came right up the middle between me and the bass boat at approximately 40-45mph. Clearly violated the 150' rule between me and the bass boat, and were very close together bow-to-stern. MP was right there in clear sight and did nothing. Impossible they could have missed it visually.

[RamJet]

We were on the lake for around 10 hours this weekend and saw a lot more MP presence and MP blue lights along with lots more boats.

At times there were 2 MP boats near Weirs and several in Paugus Bay. Many of the MP boat with blue lights were with PWCs and drivers that looked younger than 18.

[Gavia immer]

Originally Posted by The Worm

Three boats, all Formulas - appeared to be together - came right up the middle between me and the bass boat at approximately 40-45mph. Clearly violated the 150' rule between me and the bass boat, and were very close together bow-to-stern. MP was right there in clear sight and did nothing. Impossible they could have missed it visually.

They're not listening, either. There are plenty of loud boats.

[parrothead]

Originally Posted by Gavia immer

They're not listening, either. There are plenty of loud boats.

My father and I were stopped the year before last because his Sea Ray bowrider was too loud at headway speed. The boat was sold to my parents with a switch for the exhaust to go through the hull or through the props. The officer told us that the boat was too loud, and asked to look into the engine compartment, where he found the switch mechanism. Now right or wrong we didn't know the switch was illegal. The MP officer was nice and gave us a warning. The swtich had to be disabled with the exhaust running through the props, an appointment was made to have the boat decible tested a week later. If it didn't pass then he would have to pay a fine. To make a long story endless, after the MP officer was finished with us we went in opposite directions. He went back to sit off the Meredith Docks and we continued to head down Meredith bay. As we got to be about 300 feet apart a GFB with through stearn pipes came between us and the officer and began to throttle up. Now this boat was considerably louder than our Sea Ray and is getting louder by the minute. The MP officer didn't even turn around to look at the boat and kept heading back towards the docks. So now my Dad and I are confused, did the loudness of our boat damage the MP officers hearing so he could no longer hear? The only thing that we could think of was that he knew that Sea Ray had shipped boats to the Winni with this switch and he stopped us not because of the noise, but for the switch. So I guess there is a chance that they are still looking for certain boat brands to stop for the noise level.

[NightWing]

There are two different laws in play here. First of all, switchable exhaust systems are illegal in New Hampshire, regardless of the sound level. The db level is a separate issue altogether. The allowable sound level is determined by the year of the engine manufacture. In most cases, this is the same year the boat was built, unless the boat has been repowered. Throw in the third law that requires mufflers or underwater exhaust and you can understand that noise enforcement is quite involved.

For the record, through the transom exhausts are not illegal as long as there are mufflers installed in the pipes and the resulting noise level is within the requirements for that model year boat. FYI, all boats built since December 31, 1981 are required to meet the same sound level, which is 82dba @50 feet. Recently, a static idle test has been implemented as a supplement to the 50 foot test. That level is higher due to the nature of the test.

There is an exception to the muffler rule regarding classic or antique boats. Those vessels are exempt from mufflers as long as they do not exceed the sound level for their vintage, which could be as high as 86dba measured at 50 feet.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by NightWing

"...Recently, a static idle test has been implemented as a supplement to the 50 foot test. That level is higher due to the nature of the test.

This is Representative Whalley's newest change to the noise regulations?

(Representative and boat dealer).

Originally Posted by NightWing

"...Throw in the third law that requires mufflers or underwater exhaust and you can understand that noise enforcement is quite involved..."

It's especially "involved" when I'm reading that there are several manufacturers who are building custom through-hull exhausts that will pass 92dB tests to conform to other states' noise laws.

...But found this quote of particular interest to the MPs on the Big Lake:

"...Trick Marine. They are in the water when not on plane and they pass. "

IMHO, nothing on Lake Winnipesaukee has changed the lake's friendly nature more than the volume of noise, both amplified noise and barely-muffled exhaust noise.

Did I mention, "in my opinion"?

Yes, it appears I did!

[Gavia immer]

Originally Posted by parrothead

The MP officer didn't even turn around to look at the boat and kept heading back towards the docks. So now my Dad and I are confused, did the loudness of our boat damage the MP officers hearing so he could no longer hear?

The loudness of the MP inboards themselves are enough that the MPs might not have heard even louder boats in their vicinity!

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by parrothead

. Now this boat was considerably louder than our Sea Ray and is getting louder by the minute. The MP officer didn't even turn around to look at the boat and kept heading back towards the docks. So now my Dad and I are confused, did the loudness of our boat damage the MP officers hearing so he could no longer hear? The only thing that we could think of was that he knew that Sea Ray had shipped boats to the Winni with this switch and he stopped us not because of the noise, but for the switch. So I guess there is a chance that they are still looking for certain boat brands to stop for the noise level.

I'd guess nearly any late model bowider with through-hull exhaust also has a switchable exhaust. The other boat probably did not have switchable exhaust (dumb law eh?) He went for the boat owner that was obvioiusly flaunting the law and probably gave a warning because you didn't know the law.

[parrothead]

Originally Posted by Dave R

I'd guess nearly any late model bowider with through-hull exhaust also has a switchable exhaust. The other boat probably did not have switchable exhaust (dumb law eh?) He went for the boat owner that was obvioiusly flaunting the law and probably gave a warning because you didn't know the law.

That's what we figured, also our situation was reversable. I don't know how a through transom exhaust could be converted to a through prop exhaust. While the switch can be disabled and the marina was nice enough to do it at no cost.

[jrc]

If NH marinas are selling boats with switchable exhausts, the MP should be going after them. It's against the law to own or operate a boat with a switchable exhaust in NH. Since the marina usually owns the boat before you do, the MP could just walk through the showroom writing tickets. That's better than some unsuspecting new boat buyer getting hassled. Not to mention that the buyer paid for an option that's illegal.

This only applies to boats with manual switches. Some boats switch automatically depending on RPM, those seem to be legal.

[Gavia immer]

Originally Posted by jrc

Since the marina usually owns the boat before you do, the MP could just walk through the showroom writing tickets.

How's that going to hold up in court?

[NightWing]

It won't. The dealers don't own the boats, they are on floor plan. Besides, most dealers are corporations and you can't write a ticket to a corporation.

It is not illegal to sell a boat with switchable exhaust. It is illegal to own or operate one. Dealers can and do sell these boats for use out of state, where their use is not restricted.

[jrc]

Ok, how am I on the wrong side of this?

It's damn sleazy for a boat dealer in NH to sell a boat in NH, for use in NH, that can't be legally owned or operated in NH.

270:25 Muffling Devices.
....
II. No person shall own or operate, within the jurisdiction of this state, a boat equipped with a lever, cable, or other device that may be used to adjust the muffling device.
....

In this context, person usually includes corporations. I'm not a lawyer, but you can't ignore laws just by incorporating. Some entity always owns the boat, so once it's crosses the state lines, the violation has been commited.
Even if I'm wrong, the second a test drive occurs, a violation occurs.

[NightWing]

OK, so write a $43 ticket to Brunswick Corporation.

[Senter Cove Guy]

I was traveling through The Graveyard this afternoon and 2 PWC's were approaching me from the opposite direction. I slowed down to obey the 150 foot rule and so did they. To my amazement, they were both uniformed Marine Patrol officers and their PWC's were clearly labelled Marine Patrol without a logo. The guy behind me didn't obey the rule and the MP stopped him. That's the first time I've seen MP patroling on PWC's.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

"...That's the first time I've seen MP patroling on PWC's..."

Interesting. Now they have something fast enough for Speed Limit enforcement. Maybe the PWCs were a gift?

It wouldn't be a first for the Town of Tuftonboro. A government agency there accepted a PWC from a dealership as a gift a few years ago: Fire/Rescue, as I recall.

(Forgotten which dealership did the donating, though).

[tis]

Yes and they now have a unmarked Sea Doo jet boat which is mostly white with some red.

[NHskier]

We passed the Marine Patrol SeaDoo today coming through Weirs Channel. Did a double-take when I looked over and saw "Marine Patrol" on the backs of their black rain gear. Until today I had no idea they used "unmarked" boats to patrol, but I suppose it's just the same approach used by police departments.

NHskier

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Senter Cove Guy

That's the first time I've seen MP patroling on PWC's.

The MP had those PWC last year.Same one's as mine.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by parrothead

"...The boat was sold to my parents with a switch for the exhaust to go through the hull or through the props..."

A New Hampshire dealer would be subject to your expenses and troubles—provided the official "noisy boat" form was not signed by your father.

The form acknowledges that your noisy boat purchase will be operated away from NH. It should apply to 2nd-hand boats as well, but I can't say.