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Woodsy · 07-25-2005, 02:40 PM

Aubrey,

I don't think speed had much to do with that particular operators inattention, it doesn't matter what size boat or what speed it was traveling. If the driver of the boat had completed the Boater Safety Course, he/she would have known that by law they need to stay 150' off the shoreline if they want to remain on plane. That rule is there to protect swimmers and minimize shoreline erosion. If the operator of a boat is not paying attention and did not see those swimmers, the result would be the same, regardless of what size boat or speed....

The bottom line is, education is the KEY! This May, The NTSB has issued a Safety Alert urging all states to adopt a mandatory boater education requirement.

Here is the link: http://www.ntsb.gov/alerts/sa%5F007.pdf

According to the NTSB, BOATER EDUCATION WORKS! 80% of recreational boaters involved in an accident NEVER COMPLETED A BOATER SAFETY COURSE!

Of particular note is the NTSB Safety Alert makes no mention of speed limits.

NH already has a requirement for a mandatory boater safety course. Unfortunately it doesn't come into full compliance for eveyone until 2008. Alabama is the only state that requires a license to operate a boat. Maybe we should consider reviewing/adopting similar statutes on boater licensing?

Here is a link to an article published this sunday's Concord Monitor.

http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/...268&p_docnum=4

Interesting in that speed was not an issue again... I do have an issue with Rusty's comments at the first Public Hearing on HB-162, specifically about responsibility (no need to get into that here). However, I do think that he is right in that both sides are closer than they think. Everyone at the hearings pretty much complained about the same issues. Maybe instead of pushing for a speed limit, the Winnfabs & NHRBA folks could work together to address the real issues on the lake...

Woodsy

07-25-2005, 02:40 PM	#5
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,965 Thanks: 80 Thanked 979 Times in 440 Posts	Aubrey, I don't think speed had much to do with that particular operators inattention, it doesn't matter what size boat or what speed it was traveling. If the driver of the boat had completed the Boater Safety Course, he/she would have known that by law they need to stay 150' off the shoreline if they want to remain on plane. That rule is there to protect swimmers and minimize shoreline erosion. If the operator of a boat is not paying attention and did not see those swimmers, the result would be the same, regardless of what size boat or speed.... The bottom line is, education is the KEY! This May, The NTSB has issued a Safety Alert urging all states to adopt a mandatory boater education requirement. Here is the link: http://www.ntsb.gov/alerts/sa%5F007.pdf According to the NTSB, BOATER EDUCATION WORKS! 80% of recreational boaters involved in an accident NEVER COMPLETED A BOATER SAFETY COURSE! Of particular note is the NTSB Safety Alert makes no mention of speed limits. NH already has a requirement for a mandatory boater safety course. Unfortunately it doesn't come into full compliance for eveyone until 2008. Alabama is the only state that requires a license to operate a boat. Maybe we should consider reviewing/adopting similar statutes on boater licensing? Here is a link to an article published this sunday's Concord Monitor. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/...268&p_docnum=4 Interesting in that speed was not an issue again... I do have an issue with Rusty's comments at the first Public Hearing on HB-162, specifically about responsibility (no need to get into that here). However, I do think that he is right in that both sides are closer than they think. Everyone at the hearings pretty much complained about the same issues. Maybe instead of pushing for a speed limit, the Winnfabs & NHRBA folks could work together to address the real issues on the lake... Woodsy Last edited by Woodsy; 07-25-2005 at 03:29 PM.