Marine Patrol in Alton Bay
 

I went to dinner with some friends last night at Shibley's in Alton Bay. At about 7:45 (well before official sunset), a marine patrol "attack boat" came cruising into Alton Bay.

Immediately upon their arrival, it looked like they were seeking out targets for harassment. We watched several boats that were going headway speed just get stopped for no apparent reason. Again, it was before sunset, but most of the boats had their lights on. Most of the boats were just small bowriders that seemed to have families on board that were just trying to enjoy a quiet evening on the water. Perhaps all of the boats didn't have proper registration stickers (which we could not see), but I find that hard to believe. One boat came by with blue accent lights on the side of the boat, and blue underwater lights under the swim platform, and he got pinched too. I'd say that was the only reasonable stop that I saw. The marine patrol boat even hung out at a private dock on the east side of the bay, just waiting for someone else to harass. We thought they were going to hassle the owner of the property because they had a single white light on their boathouse. But apparently they were just stalking more prey.

They put on quite a show for the entire restaurant, with most people commenting how unreasonable this all seemed. I agree - why don't they spend more time pinching people that are violating laws and creating danger to others? For a state that relies on tourism, these overzealous tactics by marine patrol leave a bad taste in everyone's mouths. Who wants to get hammered on by a navy seal attack boat when they are just out for a quiet, headway speed cruise at sunset with their families? There were two cops on the boat, so that probably made it more intimidating for the families.

Maybe there is a reasonable explanation for all of this. If so, I would like to hear it.

The first thought that comes to my mind is violation of the no wake zone?

Second thought that it could be a routine boat inspection or Shibley's could have hired them to keep their customers entertainment. That way when eating you are more interested in them than you are with the taste of their food.:):laugh:

I don't think the boats could have been going any slower. Clearly there was some other motivating factor to all of this.

Marine Patrol?
 

The Marine Patrol has been much less visible in Alton Bay this summer compared to past years. The week after July 4th we hardly saw the Marine Patrol and there was plenty for them to do. One boater was out every afternoon towing 5 kids with a beige ski boat, 3 on a Big Mabel and 2 on either side on red zip sleds. They spent almost 2 hours each afternoon going from the Mt. Washington dock past Sandy Point, and many of us on shore kept saying "Where is the Marine Patrol?". He had 2 "observers" with him in the boat. Don't know if this clown is still in the area. There are several underage (14 and 15) kids using their parents' jet skis as well. These kids are small for their age, and yet the Marine Patrol never seems to be around when they are buzzing around Sandy Point on the weekends.

Maybe they were doing random checks for safety equipment, and oh yeah, maybe boating certificates?

Or maybe they are cracking down because of this:
http://www.wmur.com/news/powerboat-c...161274#!bm6pky

Sounds like they are damned if they do and damned if they don't.

But were they making a wake?

Nobody has any idea what Marine Patrol was doing out there. Everyone should shut their pie holes. I boat on this lake an average of 5 times per week and I for one am damn glad they are out there. I have NEVER needed them (knock on wood), but I know if I did they would be there within minutes!

Chill out!
 

pjard - Folks have a right to voice their opinions here. You weren't there to witness the events nor facts. Now keep your pie hole shut!

I agree. If they enforce the law, they are government goons attacking your "freedom"..... if you don't see them, they're lazy and out of sight....not doing their jobs.

It's a dangerous job, no matter the assignment. I like to give them the benefit of the doubt.

So mote it be, amen:)

I guess I'm not getting it, what is wrong with that? It sounds like they were having a lot of harmless fun.

Against the law and dangerous that is what is wrong.

NH changed the law a couple of years ago. It now reads:

No more than 6 persons may be towed on one or more inflatable tubes and no more than 2 persons may be towed on water skis, aquaplanes, or other devices from the same motorboat at the same time. When 3 or more persons are being towed, 2 observers, in addition to the operator, shall be in the towing vessel. Such observers shall be 13 years of age or older.

see: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/.../270-d-mrg.htm

Sorry for quoting prior law, so towing 6 kids with only two observers is now legal?

So that must make it safe? Sorry but not with my grandchildren.

But your grandchildren weren't the ones being towed.

A little bit of a side track from the title, but many feel fun is priceless until something tragic happens then they are left devastated thinking it would never happen to them.
At the same time only having a single person tube to tow, we always see large multi person toys and stare in aw imagining how much more fun it must be having multiple kids having the time of their lives on the water.
I suppose it's what ever the comfort level of those involved is, instead of those watching.

Either way be safe everyone!

We've towed 7 kids on 3 tubes (in another state) many times and it's a blast for all involved. Never had any injuries, just lots of laughing and smiles. Sure kills gas mileage though...

I think it's pretty safe. Once you get more than one person on a tube, the ability for them to stay on in radical turns diminishes dramatically, so when you have a big group, the speeds and G forces are, by necessity, much lower.

That said, there's tons of less safe things adults and children can legally do in NH. I bet there are substantially more injuries from team sports, skiing, ATVs, etc. than there are from tubing.

It is also great to see kids swimming, until one drowns. You will never live it down if it is one of your children..

I imagine that would be horrible, but I would not want my government to outlaw kids swimming.

Guess I'm wrong as I thought it was a (1) spotter for every 2 people. Am I wrong?? Just a question and thanks for any come back..:)

You need a maximum of 2 spotters, and then only of you have 3 or more people being towed.

Your entire post speaks of resentment toward authority.

"Marine Patrol attack boat"?

"Waiting for someone else to harass"?

"Seeking out targets for harrasment"?

"hassle the owner of the property"?

"stalking more prey"?

You have no idea why they stopped the boats that they stopped and as an uninformed person your complaints are meaningless.

I have been on this lake every summer since 1970 and I appreciate the job that the Marine Patrol does, They seem to realize that everyone is here to enjoy their day and they step in only when necessary. People with the same outlook you have criticize police officers but have no appreciation for what they do or why they do it.

In my opinion the Marine Patrol does a great job of walking the fine line between strict enforcement of every law and maintaining a safe atmosphere on the lake.

Sometimes, when you do not have all of the facts it is best to say nothing!

I've been on the lake since 1958..I grew up learning about boating & boats. I freaks me out when I'm out there these days, watching the clowns. I am all for the Marine Patrol stopping boaters. There are so many that don't have a clue. Just the other day I watched a guy go about 30 ft from the shore over near the Barber Pole. Entered the area from the broads and flew down the channel on the wrong side of the buoy, waving, to boot:eek:

Sound like there were 3 towables, or am I wrong?

I thought Marine Patrol, like regular police, needed reason to stop you, some probable cause. Maybe not. The only time I have been stopped was on Winnisqaum (spelling) and the officer could not have been any nicer. My bow #'s had faded and were difficult to read. That was his reason to stop me, everything else was in order. My experience with law enforcement has been mixed, there are a few that have caused a bad attitude with some people. There are laws that make no sense that they are expected to enforce. For example, My 10 yr old niece can operate my 20ft 150hp motor boat under my supervision, but my 56 yr old wife ( who has the physical ability to do so and can also see over the windshield) can not. I know sometimes it's the wording and nobody noticed but, in cases like that common sense should prevail and with some LE it simply does not. Now if the guy that stopped me took my fire extingusher and shook it and the indicator needle fell off the shaft because it was corroded, should I get a ticket? The MP that taught the class when I took my boater safety told us he will right you up for this. There are situations where nobody was placed in harms way but, bang, ticket anyway. That kind of crap does not help peoples attitude about them. What we should be doing is all working together to make it a safe activity, and sometimes that means educating people, a needles citation could do more harm than good. Hat's off to the Fish and Game guys at the Laconia and Alton launches, really nice bunch of guys. Doesn't look like LE work to me but they don't seem to mind and they are very helplful like friends should be. Great job guys!

Strong supporter of the MP, however, there are always going to be gaps in training and human imperfections which will cause frustration.
Recently, in a NWZ I was at absolute slowest speed, making no more wake than a speeding duck. I was glad to see an MP floating just off the docks since there had been so many no wake violators recently. As I passed to his stern, to my surprise, he waves my over. Stated that I was making a wake and passed 3 boats on the way in.
A. Yes, the bow does part the water, but, my idle speed is such that I get passed Much more often than not in NWZs,
B. actually 3 boats passed in opposite direction. I was the only boat inbound.

He told me to get the idle adjusted or bump in and out of gear. (we're talking single engine bowrider, not Outer Limits)
Bottom line, frustrating, but, no ticket and I chalked it up to being the end of a long day on the water for him, and, overall, yes, I was glad he was there to bust the true offenders.

This has never happen in the past, but has been frequent lately. I'm not sure if it is the same officer but he insist I tell my mechanic to adjust my idle speed down. The speed is 600 rpm and I am barely making a ripple. But, if you take a look at his wake, he is not practicing what he preach!

Maybe this particular officer is unaware that you can legally make a wake in a NH "no wake" zone. Anything above 4 MPH on a typical family boat will produce a wake, 6 MPH will produce a very noticeable wake, but it's still legal.

What's an "attack boat"? Is it something different from their twin engine ribs or center consoles?

Could this have been the boat the MP was patrolling in?

http://i109.photobucket.com/albums/n...psaca009cf.jpg

This all proves what I said (and got argued with) in a previous thread that they can and will stop you for making a wake, even if it is a little wake. Many MPs believe a wake is a wake and if it is a no wake zone you should not be making a wake. I happen to agree with them. Most people make a wake through the no wake zones. It depends on the officer how much wake they will allow.

You really don't know what they were stopping people for, so the criticism lacks any real validity. Like Fish&Game, MP's budget comes from registrations, fees, licenses, and maybe even fines (correct me if I'm wrong). Unfortunately, that gives an agency like that more incentive to be strict. The law enforcement agency I work for gets it budget from taxes and grants. We do not get anything from fines, the schools and courts do.

Understand that when you suddenly see a "crackdown" like that or even from a local PD it is often in response to a complaint. It is often in response to a complaint from an "important person" who saw one thing they did not like and called another important person. That important person then tells the troops to go "crackdown" to make the important complainant happy. We get this all the time from important local business people, politicians, or friends of those people. Suddenly we are sitting on ABC street running radar because Mrs. Jones who is friends with a city council person says there is a speeding problem there. Then we have to report back with results and there better be some results! Welcome to the world of politics.

Who knows what MP was looking for that evening, but criticizing without any knowledge of their intent is foolish and ignorant. And using terms like attack and harass only cheapens the argument.

Sort of
 

In general I agree with your post but you have to remember that you are not alone out there. I have been in the Weirs Channel many times and been behind boats that were going so slow that it was difficult to maintain a heading. This is especially a problem when the current is strong. A boat sitting still in a strong current will still leave a wake.

The boats following you may have a larger profile and be more affected by wind and current. While you think you are doing a great, safe job operating your boat you may be causing problems for others.

So, look behind you and see if you are going so slow that you are causing problems for boats behind you. Not all boats handle the same at low speeds and we all need to be aware of how other boats around us are affected by what we are doing.

So the best use of MP resources is to "stop" (I will not call it harass) people making a ripple behind their boat and tell them to go have their mechanic adjust their idle? Tell that to the poor guy in the canoe that almost killed yesterday over by Sleeper's island.

I'd love to see 2-3 times the number of MP on the lake every weekend over the summer and I don't care if it may seem like harassment to some. As is so very clearly evident by this thread some may "think" they know what the law is but laws do change and maybe you aren't as smart as you think you are! Doesn't matter if you think what you're witnessing is (or not) safe, prudent, legal, or even that it's been that way on this lake since the Indians were here. What matter is these guys are doing their darnedest to make sure that everyone can enjoy the lake in a safe and responsible way within the confines of the law. Thankless job for those guys but I applaud their efforts!

I made the mistake of being out there yesterday afternoon. Now I remember why I don't take the boat anywhere on weekends in the middle of the day. What a zoo. Can't wait till September is all I'm sayin.

If it were the MP in this case I would have asked the guy in the CANOE, um excuse me sir but being in a canoe between sleepers and Rattlesnake island in the middle of the summer on a Friday afternoon... let me ask you, do you NOT SEE A PROBLEM WITH THIS? I'd have given the guy a ticket for stupidity.

Most boat will go slow enough without an adjustment to not make a wake. It is just that people are impatient and don't want to go slow enough. And no, I don't think they need to be stopped for a ripple, although I have seen it done, but I think they should be stopped for a small wake. Believe me after people learn that MP is around and are stopping people for making a wake, you won't see any wakes for a while. And when MP is sitting near a no wake zone there are many less wakes. Magically they are able to drive without making a wake!!!! :D