Angry at Captain of The Millie B
 

Sunday,my wife and I were anchored out by the Varney Islands tucked in tight to one of the islands out of the boat path. We were about 50 feet off the shore of the island. Twice ,within a couple of hours the Millie B came around the corner as usual up on plane and and cruised right by us about 50 -60 feet from the bow of our boat. I definitely read his bow numbers although I forget them now. (I think 9021 or 9091)Both times the captain of the boat turned and looked at us. We weren't so far in that he couldn't have seen us. Both times we got tossed. Coming around the corner you have two choices to go,either in between the island and the marker or way outside the far marker. I know going wide can be blocked by other boats so you go inside. I'm sure that the captain knows that boats anchor there all the time. I understand hes running a business but I don't think that should excuse breaking the rules. I don't mean to be a whiner and don't expect the lake to be calm and peaceful just for me but I do try to be aware of anchored boaters and what my wake will cause. Normally I don't complain but this has happened on other occasions and this time he came very close.
Sorry for the rant but this time I got a little angry at the disregard for fellow boaters.

I also had a run in with this idiot on Saturday in that exact area.

He basically forced me to come off plane and forced me toward a marker to my starboard, I had no place to go.

As he came by me, well within 150 ft, he waved his hands at me as if I did something wrong. I had no place to go. He had all sorts of room to his starboard.

The guy is an idiot.

I've been told by someone who sees the Millie B go by daily that the captain/owner often violates the 150 foot rule and seldom gives way when encountering a "stand-on" vessel on the lake.

You Might Want to Report Him!
 

This isn't the first complaint about the captain of the Millie B.

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopo...m/DSC_0427.JPG
From the Gallery of Sunset Bob

http://www.wolfeborotrolley.com/images/charter_scan.jpg

Wolfeboro Trolly Company
PO Box 1020
Wolfeboro Falls NH 03896
603-569-1080
info@wolfeborotrolley.com

Not New
 

We are (unfortunately) well experienced in the idiocy of the Millie B. In fact, do a quick search on the boards here, and you'll find many other posts about it. Ignoring the give-way rule, not looking where he's going, blatant violations of the 150ft rule with boats and skiers in the water, etc.

I once called and left them a message about being more responsible out there, but obviously it has had little or no effect.

They have three captains that I know of. The Millie B is now owned by the boat museum.

millie B
 

We at the NH Boat Museum, hear you loud and clear. The Millie B should be adhering to all NH State Boating laws including the 150-foot safe passage law. We have five different skippers and will be getting together before next weekend to review all complaints and comments. Please feel free to email our Operations Manager Kathy Eaton at info@wolfeborotrolley.com or call her directly at 603-569-1080. Thank You.

Thanks Bob, I was going to put in a call to you or Mal before I saw your response!!

FYI, Classic 22 is a director (volunteer) for the NH Boat Museum.

minor correction....Actually a trustee and not a director.

That's the way to handle problems !

Terrific! Thanks!

This really doesn't have anything to do with courtesy, or the lack of, but it's interesting that New Hampshire doesn't have a requirement for "Ride Boat" skippers to have a US Coast Guard Captains Licence...Even The Mount Washington is exempt.

This may have to do with the Lakes not being subject to CG jurisdiction. :look:

Anywhere else, the skipper of the Millie B. would be required to have "The CG License". The lowest CG License is called the Six Pack and allows skippers to carry up to 6 paying passengers. From there up, the license is by tonnage. There is a rigorous exam, and prior experience level that has to be met. :) NB

PS: When this topic first came up I didn't connect the Name with the Boat. I was thinking Sophie C, and/or Doris E.... until someone posted the picture of the Hacker Runabout Millie B.

There is a NH requirement that the operator of a commercial boat have a NH Commercial Boat License. I'm sure that the NH license test is not as rigorous as that for a CG license, but the test is not a "give me" either. Many people don't pass it on the first (or second) attempt. The operator of any commercial boat on NH waters, including the Mt. Washington and the Millie B., should hold a NH Commercial Boat License.

Funny you should post that, I was curious if any of their "captains" held any sort of formal training or certifications? Based on the posts here, it sounds like at least some of the "captains" are more like "casual boat drivers".

Similarly related to this, the wife and I were coming out of Meredith Bay a couple of weeks ago and the Doris E was next to us on the way out. About 150' *before* the end of the NWZ, the boat speeds up and starts throwing a pretty significant wake.

Maybe commercial skippers on the lake should go through some additional training?

No excuse for anyone to be breaking the law. I'd start calling M<P with their bow numbers, position aqnd heading. I am a fisherman and don't fish Winni between July 4 and the Tuesday following Labor day.

Too many ding bats riling my temper so I go else where.

NBR Do you drive a car?

CG Captains License
 

The requirements for the CG captain’s license are very difficult. Many who start out to get this never meet many of the requirements needed before even taking the test.
Then there is the retest every so many years.
My wife holds one.

For those of you who may be apprehensive about riding on the Milly B.......I have personally noted over the years that the Skipper of the Milly B. always wears a nifty "Yachting Cap"....which the casual tourist will take as a badge of Rank.. Authority and Accomplishment. :look:

I don't take..or use the term CAPTAIN.. Lightly....such as those who toss around the term "Captain Bonehead". Those people that use that term... also show their ignorance. Just Sayin.....:(

Bottom Line: Lets lose the term "CAPTAIN" Bonehead. :D NB

I wonder if the no-wake markers are correctly placed in Meredith. My electronic bizer chart shows them a lot closer to the public docks than they are currently placed. Maybe the Captain of the Doris E knows where the no wake zone really ends, according to the law???

A very good thought. I'll have to pay closer attention to my chart and the marker locations next time I am out.

Rail Road Joe
 

Yep, I drive a car. Before retirement between 25,000 and 40,000 miles a year. Less now. Only accidents with any damage were 3 deer that insisted on sharing my lane and a guy who cut the corner short and hit me head on me while I was stopped for a stop sign. He was ticketed.

So far, I think you are the only one who is using the term on this thread. I think most of us agreed to abandon the term long ago.

Outside of a military or police context, captain means nothing. Any bozo driving a boat can call himself a captain. The USCG issues Master or Operators licenses, no captains.

:DMy apologies RG. I seem to see the term every few days on the Forum...but... I may have missed that Memo. :D :D NB

NoBozo,
I stand corrected. Just checked and there are 7 threads since ice out this year that contain the term (including this one). I agree with the others who have abandoned it's use. I think we are on the same side on this one.

Is it OK ...
 

... if we use the term, "Boneheaded, wanna' be captain!"?

There is a Ship Simulator facility on the Navy Base in Newport, RI where Navy Officers are trained in the handling of various Navy ships prior to being assigned to those ships. The instructors for these "training courses" are retired Navy Captains. (O-6 Rank)

There are also Merchant Marine instructors: ..."Master Mariners". On the bridge, they are ALL addressed as CAPTAIN. Just Sayin. :) NB

PS: Just about every significant Ship ..and Harbor.....in the world has been "modeled" in this Ship Handling Simulator....Military and Civilian.

FYI... In Navy parlance, "Captain" can denote either a rank (O-6), or a position of responsibility (commanding officer of a ship). Not all ship COs are O-6s, in fact most probably hold the rank of Commander (O-5). Some smaller ships are even commanded by O-3s (Lieutenants), but they sre still addressed by their crews as "Captain." Probably more than you wanted to know. In any event, I'm sure that not all of those retired guys instructing in the ship handling simulator in Newport are retired O-6s.

Thanks TMI Guy: (Too Much Information..??) I am familiar with Navy Parlance... having served. The last time I checked (Today)..all the "Ship Simulator Instructors" are Retired O-6 ....OR.. Master Mariners. :D I won't elaborate any further. :look: NB

Elaborate all you want, shipmate; I enjoy hearing sea stories, having also served.