Swim Platforms

bigpatsfan · 04-03-2010, 12:33 PM

What are the rules regarding the placements of swim platforms?

Over the past few years I have noticed swim platforms being anchored further and further away from the shore. As we all know, boats need to drop to headway speed within 150 feet of these platforms. The end result is each year boats need to stay further and further away from shore.

For example there is a raft located in Winter Harbor that is a good distance away from the shore. I would guess that this raft is at least 100 feet away from the shore, now add 150 feet onto that and the end result is a narrow boat passage. (The raft plus 150 feet puts you close to the navigation buoy.) I believe that due to this raft there is not room enough for two boats to pass each other without violating the 150 foot rule.

Are the locations of the platforms monitored by the State or the local Towns?

BlackCatIslander · 04-03-2010, 12:40 PM

Now that you have to register your swim raft this year I would expect that in a few years you will have to give the Marine Patrol coordinates of raft location.

LIforrelaxin · 04-05-2010, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlackCatIslander

Now that you have to register your swim raft this year I would expect that in a few years you will have to give the Marine Patrol coordinates of raft location.

Are we back to having to register them / or get a permit for them again.... I thought they abandoned that effort????

bigpatsfan · 04-07-2010, 09:57 PM

Thanks for the posts… It will be interesting to see how the swim platform registration pans out.

To me it makes sense that a State agency would be responsible for making sure that swim platforms placed in the water are not a hazard to navigation.

ITD · 04-08-2010, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

Are we back to having to register them / or get a permit for them again.... I thought they abandoned that effort????

They didn't abandon it, the legislature told them they couldn't do it. Hopefully the MP will be stopped again. Don't they have better things to do???

tis · 04-03-2010, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpatsfan

What are the rules regarding the placements of swim platforms?

Over the past few years I have noticed swim platforms being anchored further and further away from the shore. As we all know, boats need to drop to headway speed within 150 feet of these platforms. The end result is each year boats need to stay further and further away from shore.

For example there is a raft located in Winter Harbor that is a good distance away from the shore. I would guess that this raft is at least 100 feet away from the shore, now add 150 feet onto that and the end result is a narrow boat passage. (The raft plus 150 feet puts you close to the navigation buoy.) I believe that due to this raft there is not room enough for two boats to pass each other without violating the 150 foot rule.

Are the locations of the platforms monitored by the State or the local Towns?

I am pretty sure I know the raft you are referring to. I believe that house got sold this fall/winter so hopefully it won't be as much of a problem this summer. But who knows, maybe the new people will put it in the same spot.

TomC · 04-03-2010, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

I am pretty sure I know the raft you are referring to. I believe that house got sold this fall/winter so hopefully it won't be as much of a problem this summer. But who knows, maybe the new people will put it in the same spot.

If putting the raft out just involves hooking it up to existing anchors/blocks - it'll probably end up in the same spot.

Rattlesnake Gal · 04-05-2010, 09:20 AM

Save yourself a headache and put your telephone number on it. That way if it escapes the rescuer will know who to call.

I still wonder if the owners of the one we rescued thought we stole it!

In the past MP has relied upon the owners to be reasonable in the placement of a swim platform. That was the deal years ago when I called inquiring about any regulations. If someone does put one in a questionable spot, I would suggest calling Marine Patrol with your concerns. Enough complaints may get MPs to suggest a relocation of the platform to the owners.

ApS · 04-08-2010, 03:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

I am pretty sure I know the raft you are referring to. I believe that house got sold this fall/winter so hopefully it won't be as much of a problem this summer. But who knows, maybe the new people will put it in the same spot.

Is the one you refer to off Tuftonboro Neck or Wolfeboro Neck?

A recently-sold McMansion had a Sevylor (or maybe a Rave) raft re-e-e-ally stuck 'way out there. (Wolfeboro Neck). Its mooring line must have been stretched taut, 'cause it came drifting by my place early one morning while carrying its mooring block underneath.

The new people put it back in place—and closer to shore—but they've added so many optional floating gizmos, it's starting to look like an island.

tis · 04-08-2010, 08:05 AM

I can't speak for bigpats fan, but I thought he might be thinking of the raft above the Libby Museum because he mentions a narrow passage that two boats probably don't pass by without violating the 150'rule. He will have to clarify that for us.
I always thought you couldn't obstruct a passageway.

ishoot308 · 04-05-2010, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bigpatsfan

What are the rules regarding the placements of swim platforms?

Over the past few years I have noticed swim platforms being anchored further and further away from the shore. As we all know, boats need to drop to headway speed within 150 feet of these platforms. The end result is each year boats need to stay further and further away from shore.

For example there is a raft located in Winter Harbor that is a good distance away from the shore. I would guess that this raft is at least 100 feet away from the shore, now add 150 feet onto that and the end result is a narrow boat passage. (The raft plus 150 feet puts you close to the navigation buoy.) I believe that due to this raft there is not room enough for two boats to pass each other without violating the 150 foot rule.

Are the locations of the platforms monitored by the State or the local Towns?

I believe swim platforms must be within 150' from shore.

FYI... It is not a violation to pass another boat within 150'. Heck you can be 5' away as long as you are not going beyond headway speed.

Dan

04-03-2010, 12:33 PM	#1
bigpatsfan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 86 Thanks: 21 Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts	Swim Platforms What are the rules regarding the placements of swim platforms? Over the past few years I have noticed swim platforms being anchored further and further away from the shore. As we all know, boats need to drop to headway speed within 150 feet of these platforms. The end result is each year boats need to stay further and further away from shore. For example there is a raft located in Winter Harbor that is a good distance away from the shore. I would guess that this raft is at least 100 feet away from the shore, now add 150 feet onto that and the end result is a narrow boat passage. (The raft plus 150 feet puts you close to the navigation buoy.) I believe that due to this raft there is not room enough for two boats to pass each other without violating the 150 foot rule. Are the locations of the platforms monitored by the State or the local Towns?

04-03-2010, 12:40 PM	#2
BlackCatIslander Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 201 Thanks: 52 Thanked 17 Times in 11 Posts	Who Knows What The Future Is Now that you have to register your swim raft this year I would expect that in a few years you will have to give the Marine Patrol coordinates of raft location.

04-05-2010, 09:20 AM	#8
Rattlesnake Gal Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Central NH Posts: 5,252 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 1,451 Thanked 1,349 Times in 475 Posts	Swimm Platforms Save yourself a headache and put your telephone number on it. That way if it escapes the rescuer will know who to call. I still wonder if the owners of the one we rescued thought we stole it! In the past MP has relied upon the owners to be reasonable in the placement of a swim platform. That was the deal years ago when I called inquiring about any regulations. If someone does put one in a questionable spot, I would suggest calling Marine Patrol with your concerns. Enough complaints may get MPs to suggest a relocation of the platform to the owners.

04-07-2010, 09:57 PM	#4
bigpatsfan Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 86 Thanks: 21 Thanked 15 Times in 9 Posts	Thanks for the posts… It will be interesting to see how the swim platform registration pans out. To me it makes sense that a State agency would be responsible for making sure that swim platforms placed in the water are not a hazard to navigation.

04-08-2010, 08:05 AM	#10
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,774 Thanks: 755 Thanked 1,464 Times in 1,020 Posts	I can't speak for bigpats fan, but I thought he might be thinking of the raft above the Libby Museum because he mentions a narrow passage that two boats probably don't pass by without violating the 150'rule. He will have to clarify that for us. I always thought you couldn't obstruct a passageway.