US Coast Guard

[BroadHopper]

Anyone who actually believes what the media prints and what the internet says is the fact should check in at the local mental health center.

I really think the MP did a great job patrolling with what little manpower that they had, yet there are still a lot of mishaps and close mishaps during the season that should have not happen. I just notice when I put my registration sticker on the boat this year that I have actually forgot to put on last year sticker! I have been out on the lake countless of hours and I am a surprised no one notice!?!?!?! You think the wrong color would have triggered a check?

The MP is too busy for routine checks, which was common in the past. I used to get stopped for a safety check at least once a year. This did not happen in the last few years. I think it is time for the USCGA to step up to the plate and provide safety check and power boat courses which I think will go a long way to educating the public common sense and safety. The state boat certificate provided safety sense but no boating skills.

Let's stop bickering and for once get on the same track and educate those boneheads so that we can have a safe place to boat. Unless you are one of the boneheads that are afraid of being educated and caught it is for your own good.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

The MP is too busy for routine checks, which was common in the past. I used to get stopped for a safety check at least once a year. This did not happen in the last few years. I think it is time for the USCGA to step up to the plate and provide safety check and power boat courses which I think will go a long way to educating the public common sense and safety.

Let's stop bickering and for once get on the same track and educate those boneheads so that we can have a safe place to boat.

Well I certainly do NOT welcome the CG Auxillary to do unwarranted safety check stops to peaceful boaters on the lake and not sure why on earth you would want that type of intrusion! That is not their job and that is not my understanding of what they will be doing. Voluntary safety vessel checks at docks, sure, absolutely it's a great service, but no way do I condone the Auxillary "patrolling" the waters looking for vessels to board and checked at their discretion...NO WAY!

Also, since when is Winnipesaukee an unsafe place to boat?? During the entire speed limit debate you and many members of SBONH (including myself) relied on the safety history of the lake as the backbone to the argument against speed limits. Now all of a sudden the lake is unsafe without the CG Auxillary??... What gives you can't have it both ways??...

Personally I think the Marine patrol has been doing a great job even with their limited budget and the lake is and has been a safe and fun place for families to enjoy without any further town, state or federal intrusion.

Why fix what isn't broke?

Dan

[BroadHopper]

I did not mean that the auxilary should stop boats and do safety checks although the MP use to do it in the past. Why did the MP stop now? Just walking along the public docks, I can see boats with unsufficient life vests etc. I have not notice in the past.

How could one possibly boat a whole year without the required registration sticker? Makes me wonder how many unregistered boats are out there.

I called in early last summer that the northwest marker of the Witches being misplaced. As of last fall, the bouy was still in the wrong place. Have the MP stopped maintaining the bouys? A number of folks on this site noticed and called in.

As for safety, try kayaking, canoeing or sailing on the lake, I had many closed calls. How about the 150' rule. I've been buzzed numerous time, close enough to be sprayed. I can see where the speed limit supporters are coming from but speed is not the issue.

I'm not knocking the MPs. They do one heck of a job covering the lake, but it clearly shows they need more manpower.

[ishoot308]

[QUOTE=BroadHopper;203147]I did not mean that the auxilary should stop boats and do safety checks although the MP use to do it in the past. Why did the MP stop now? Probably because stopping someone without just cause is deemed unconstitutional. I for one would be very upset to be stopped for no reason at all! We do not live in a police state!Just walking along the public docks, I can see boats with unsufficient life vests etc. I can't comment on this since I don't go around looking at other peoples boats for safety infractions. I go boating for the pleasure aspect of it. I have not notice in the past.

How could one possibly boat a whole year without the required registration sticker? Probably because the Marine Patrol are keeping their eyes on more important SAFETY infractions. Makes me wonder how many unregistered boats are out there. Who cares, it's not for you and I to worry about, they will eventually get caught.

I called in early last summer that the northwest marker of the Witches being misplaced. As of last fall, the bouy was still in the wrong place. Have the MP stopped maintaining the bouys? A number of folks on this site noticed and called in. I too have called in many missing markers and in every instance the Marine Patrol responded very quickly, usually the same day.

As for safety, try kayaking, canoeing or sailing on the lake, I had many closed calls. How about the 150' rule. You really want to know what I think of the 150' rule... I think it's the most ridiculous rule we have on the lake! Do you honestly get scared if someone goes by 100' from you? If so try boating anywhere else in the world. Heck I just came back from the Turks and Caicos Islands, there were boats and jet skis buzzing through swim areas within feet of people swimming! They never have any accidents and people and other boaters are not afraid. Watch this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YnbMWF_UjHM do these boats look 150' apart??... does it look unsafe?? Ask Scott Verdonk what it's like to go "Jammin On The James" when boats are going 60 - 70 MPH just a few feet apart!! Why is it only on Winnipesaukee do people make a big deal about a boat that is 100' away!! If people are that scared to be out there it's time for a new hobby! I've been buzzed numerous time, close enough to be sprayed. I can see where the speed limit supporters are coming from but speed is not the issue. Agreed There will always be boating accidents just like there will always be car accidents. Sometimes people do stupid things and make mistakes it's called being human. When someone accidentally runs a red light or a stop sign sometimes the outcome is a fender bender or worse. We can try and minimize it but we can never stop it as long as the human factor is there.

I'm not knocking the MPs. They do one heck of a job covering the lake, Agreed! but it clearly shows they need more manpower.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

I'm not knocking the MPs. They do one heck of a job covering the lake, Agreed! but it clearly shows they need more manpower.

It can't hurt to have more "eyes" on the water... ...but let's be vigilant of this "nose of the camel".

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by ApS

[/B]

It can't hurt to have more "eyes" on the water... ...but let's be vigilant of this "nose of the camel".

We had more "eyes" on the water with the Marine Patrol Aux.

I like your "nose of the camel" analogy.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

You really want to know what I think of the 150' rule...I think it's the most ridiculous rule we have on the lake! Do you honestly get scared if someone goes by 100' from you? If so try boating anywhere else in the world. Heck I just came back from the Turks and Caicos Islands, there were boats and jet skis buzzing through swim areas within feet of people swimming! They never have any accidents and people and other boaters are not afraid.

Of the 700 islands in the island-nation known as The Bahama Islands you're aware that
the only island that enforces drunk-driviing laws is New Providence Island?
(Nassau).

Originally Posted by ishoot308

There will always be boating accidents just like there will always be car accidents.

I'd agree, but that statement doesn't "wash" with your prior statement:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Heck I just came back from the Turks and Caicos Islands, there were boats and jet skis buzzing through swim areas within feet of people swimming! They never have any accidents and people and other boaters are not afraid.

Originally Posted by Rusty

We had more "eyes" on the water with the Marine Patrol Aux.

We "know" how many "eyes" the Marine Patrol Aux. brought to the lake?

How many "eyes" will the CG-Aux. bring to Lake Winnipesaukee?

Don't we need those figures to actually "know"?

[tis]

How many eyes DID the MP Aux. bring to the lake?

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by ApS

Of the 700 islands in the island-nation known as The Bahama Islands you're aware that
the only island that enforces drunk-driviing laws is New Providence Island?
(Nassau). [/COLOR]

I'd agree, but that statement doesn't "wash" with your prior statement:

We "know" how many "eyes" the Marine Patrol Aux. brought to the lake?

How many "eyes" will the CG-Aux. bring to Lake Winnipesaukee?

Don't we need those figures to actually "know"?

Turks and Caicos Island is a British Overseas Territory and does in fact enforce their drunk driving laws! The Bahamas were granted their independence in 1973. Not sure what any of this has to do with the C.G. auxillary...

As far as a better example... I thought when I said "the rest of the world" that pretty much covered it.

The fact is if your scared when a boat goes by you 100' away, you have no business being behind the wheel of any boat. If your only nautical skills evolved in and around Lake Winnipesaukee, there is a whole other side to boating and seamanship that the rest of the world enjoys where common sense and good judgement prevail.

Dan

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by ApS

Of the 700 islands in the island-nation known as The Bahama Islands you're aware that
the only island that enforces drunk-driviing laws is New Providence Island?
(Nassau).

What do drunk driving laws have to do with a discussion about the CG Auxillary or the 150' foot rule in NH?

[ApS]

Originally Posted by chipj29

What do drunk driving laws have to do with a discussion about the CG Auxillary or the 150' foot rule in NH?

I'd be concerned if drunks were operating their boats in disregard to NH's RSAs, and at less than prudent distances. IMHO, the CG Auxillary "help" is welcome to observe—and perhaps limit—such reckless behaviors.

(The long and contradictory complaint of New Hampshire's RSAs appeared here: http://www.winnipesaukee.com/forums/...3&postcount=37).

When the MP Auxillary was active, there was an extended period between drunken Winnipesaukee fatalities. A letter to the Granite State News editor complained that authorities had dropped their support for the MP Auxillary.

That timely letter was written by an MP Auxillary member—and Tuftonboro resident—in mid-August of 2002.

—> I welcome more "eyes"—the MP Auxillary would have been my first choice.

[NHBUOY]

Serendipitously timely articles in today's LDS regarding "eyes", Marine Patrol & Coast Guard.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

How about the 150' rule. You really want to know what I think of the 150' rule... I think it's the most ridiculous rule we have on the lake!

I abide by all local regulations, no matter how "ridiculous" they may appear to an outsider.

[fatlazyless]

So, what happened to the Coast Guard Auxiliary coming to Lake Winnipesaukee? Did they ever show up? I never saw one of their Aux marked boats so what was up with that?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by ishoot308

Well I certainly do NOT welcome the CG Auxillary to do unwarranted safety check stops to peaceful boaters on the lake and not sure why on earth you would want that type of intrusion! That is not their job and that is not my understanding of what they will be doing. Voluntary safety vessel checks at docks, sure, absolutely it's a great service, but no way do I condone the Auxillary "patrolling" the waters looking for vessels to board and checked at their discretion...NO WAY!

Also, since when is Winnipesaukee an unsafe place to boat?? During the entire speed limit debate you and many members of SBONH (including myself) relied on the safety history of the lake as the backbone to the argument against speed limits. Now all of a sudden the lake is unsafe without the CG Auxillary??... What gives you can't have it both ways??...

Personally I think the Marine patrol has been doing a great job even with their limited budget and the lake is and has been a safe and fun place for families to enjoy without any further town, state or federal intrusion.

Why fix what isn't broke?

Dan

Very well said Dan!

The US Coast Guard Auxiliary should volunteer to report to the NH MP and take their Aux uniform off while on the Lake. If the NH MP wants to give them a uniform that makes them feel that they are part of the MP then go ahead and do it.

If the Aux has so much time on their hands that they can volunteer to patrol Lake Winnipesaukee then make them part of a volunteer force of the NH MP.

We don’t need people dressed up like US military police patrolling NH's inland waters.

Maybe I’ll dig out my old Air Force uniform and wear it while boating on the Lake. Then I’ll get my boat painted red, white, and blue and put antennas all over it. That should keep people in line when they see me.

[ApS]

Member Rusty has been visited by the ghost of Gov. Meldrin Thompson, Jr.!

[fatlazyless]

In the late 1970's NH boats had those small boat license plates and there was no reciprocity agreement between Massachusetts and New Hampshire which was a money-maker for New Hampshire since boats towing their Mass registered boats to New Hampshire had to purchase a NH boat license plate in addition to their Mass hull numbers registration.

By allowing the Coast Guard to patrol Lake Winnipesaukee, the State of NH would have had to agree to reciprocity with the other 49-states and Gov Thompson probably thought that would be a money loser for NH.

So's....just don't forget to smile and wave when you go past a Coast Guard Auxiliary boat becuz u will probably be on their candid camera.

So's..... best to be polite.....and not flip them the bird or throw empty beer bottles or anything?

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by ApS

Member Rusty has been visited by the ghost of Gov. Meldrin Thompson, Jr.!

His name is Thomson and not Thompson.


Personally I couldn't stand Thomson when he was Governor...however..He was a strong proponent of state sovereignty and so am I.