After reading the entire posting in this chain, I think we can all agree that it’s obvious that a clear answer to the unsafe boating problem doesn't exist.
I have been thinking about ways to address the problem.
Let's discuss this one:
As we all know, there is a requirement that by a certain date, we all have to take the boaters safety course (and I agree that the on-line course is a joke). Once we have taken the course, we all receive this official looking card that provides registered proof that we are in compliance with the regulation. Some people actually think this document is a license.
In the event that you are not in compliance with the regulation, you MAY get a ticket and be forced to take the course + pay a fine. Many people will say "Big Deal", and continue boating.
If we all think about this, you might ask yourself when was the last time you’ve been stopped by Marine Patrol? Personally, I have been stopped three times in my entire boating life = 42 years of boating. The first time was to warn me that I had passed a marker on the wrong side and the officer wanted to tell me about the hazard; (this was on Ossipee Lake about 10 years ago). The second time was in Winter Harbor about 4 or 5 years ago and the officer asked me if he could inspect my boat – he did and everything was in order. The third time was on Winnisquam and the officer (part time summer help) told me I was speeding – I asked him if I had passed anyone unsafely and he said no; I had to remind him that I was not speeding since there was no speed limit in the main part of the lake and he agreed and went on his way – note; I was traveling about 55 mph.
My point here is that unless there is a sufficient penalty in a regulation, there is no reason for the irresponsible boaters to have any concern for the rules.
Potential Solution:
Any boat operator should be required to hold a boaters license and actually take a so-called road test. With an actual license requirement, boaters that break the rules get tickets under the same points system that is in place on the states highways. If you build up to many points, yes you lose your boating license, but is this enough? If the boating license is tied to your motor vehicle driver’s license and the points are applied to both, perhaps this would be sufficient cause for boaters to abide by regulations. I am not truly in favor of more laws, however, a law like this would have NO impact on safe boaters.
Last item for now:
Again, in my opinion: The suggested implementation of controlled traffic patterns will only move the problem to another area of the lake and pass the problems off to others.
John/NH
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