Scary situation

[MJM]

Originally Posted by SteveA

........
I think, that they think, they have some sort of special rules because they have someone in tow. They don't. They are required to obey all of the 150' and "give way" rules.

http://boat-ed.com/nh/handbook/ski.htm

Right on the money! Over the years, I have had this conversation with MANY friends/aquaintances, most of whom are experienced boaters and safety-concious. They thought the fact that they had someone in tow gave them the right of way.

[Sue Doe-Nym]

Thank you all for your responses. I got more info on the situation.

My neighbor, who I know to be extremely conscientious, took his grandkids out at 9 am on a weekday to take advantage of the low boat traffic and calm waters. Apparently, there were no other boats in sight, yet the Maragaret Ann came right for them. The evasive action he took was to power the boat down to neutral.

As the many stories here can attest, there are plenty of irresponsible boaters who don't yield, or don't know when to yield, when towing people (or not towing people). From what Lakegeezer says, the owner of the Margaret Ann seems to be one of them. I hope he isn't boating recklessly deliberately, but it sounds like he has endangered the safety of a few boaters.

So, if you are out on the lake and see the Margaret Ann coming towards you, take evasive actions, quickly, and if you can't, close your eyes, say a prayer, and for your sake, I hope you had the foresight to bring a change of underwear.