Marine Patrol in Alton Bay

[Chaselady]

Originally Posted by Farfrumbehavin

Totally agree, no excuse, however the question is, how do we avoid another mishap? I have also come up onto kayaks that were lost in the chop. I don't travel fast so it's not a problem to me but I have seen kayakers that have a high viz flag on a whip. I hunt and I where orange, I want to be seen, I don't want to get hit by a boat if I'm in a canoe or a kayak. Common sense is every ones responsibility. We try to spot buoys that are on the chart as we navigate the lake and sometimes stop and look around, confused, and OH Yeah, there it is, why couldn't I see that? I know a canoe is not a buoy but a flag would give something that could be seen over a bow that rides high. just sayin.

Good point. Maybe kayaks and other low to the water craft should have flags. Whoops, that would mean more laws?!!!!
My personal favorite...the fools that were kayaking Wolfeboro Bay during the fireworks finale. With a stern light. Legal, yeah. Would I be so crazy? No.
You can't legislate common sense, just sayin.
But in the meantime you just have to keep your eyes open.

[dickiej]

Vigilance, vigilance, vigilance! Being on the water is a huge responsibility and you must be aware of all that is going on around you all the time! Your head needs to be on a swivel! Down where I live, a newly licensed charter boat captain recently sliced a 16' runabout nearly in half, plowing right into him at 25 knots! Captain of the charter said he never saw him. Really!?

[KayakinKid]

I did some asking around, and come to find out, I know the driver of the boat, who feels awful right now. He's been a long time summer resident here, and knows the lake quite well. I'm told that it was a dark green canoe and neither he nor his passenger was able to spot the canoe in amongst the waves. Having a dark-colored canoe or kayak that's low in the water makes it much more difficult to spot. If the canoeist was wearing dark clothing at the time, that would make him blend in even more.

Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. Canoes can be replaced, people can't.

This accident should serve as a reminder to kayakers and canoeists that brighter is better when on the water. That's why I have a lime green kayak with solas tape, a red PFD with solas tape, white paddles with solas tape on each side, a bright orange boonie hat, and a YakAttack VISICarbon Pro flag/light mounted on the back of the kayak. If for some reason someone doesn't see any of that, there's the whistle and air horn to fall back on.

Just as people drive defensively on the road, kayakers and canoeists also need to paddle defensively when on the water. I've been known to paddle forward like a madman in some instances, and other times I've done a complete 180 and paddled in the other direction in order to put distance between myself and an oncoming boat. When they've passed or turned, then I do another 180 and continue on my way. I may get a little more exercise, but at least I'll get to my destination safely.

[CAVU]

Originally Posted by KayakinKid

I did some asking around, and come to find out, I know the driver of the boat, who feels awful right now. He's been a long time summer resident here, and knows the lake quite well. I'm told that it was a dark green canoe and neither he nor his passenger was able to spot the canoe in amongst the waves. Having a dark-colored canoe or kayak that's low in the water makes it much more difficult to spot. If the canoeist was wearing dark clothing at the time, that would make him blend in even more.

Fortunately, there were no serious injuries. Canoes can be replaced, people can't.

This accident should serve as a reminder to kayakers and canoeists that brighter is better when on the water. That's why I have a lime green kayak with solas tape, a red PFD with solas tape, white paddles with solas tape on each side, a bright orange boonie hat, and a YakAttack VISICarbon Pro flag/light mounted on the back of the kayak. If for some reason someone doesn't see any of that, there's the whistle and air horn to fall back on.

Just as people drive defensively on the road, kayakers and canoeists also need to paddle defensively when on the water. I've been known to paddle forward like a madman in some instances, and other times I've done a complete 180 and paddled in the other direction in order to put distance between myself and an oncoming boat. When they've passed or turned, then I do another 180 and continue on my way. I may get a little more exercise, but at least I'll get to my destination safely.

I do some kayaking, and I have a 23ft boat on the lake. After a few people scared me when I came up on them without seeing them. I attached a large orange bicycle flag to the kayak.. Although, I can say that I stay inside the markers, away from the boat channels and you wouldn't catch me out in the middle of the lake in kayak or canoe.. Way tooo dangerous..

[TheProfessor]

If so concerned.
Just go down to Marine Patrol in Gilford and request a copy of the Marine Patrol report - or the log book for that day and time.
All is public information.

[topwater]

Originally Posted by Chaselady

Good point. Maybe kayaks and other low to the water craft should have flags. Whoops, that would mean more laws?!!!!
My personal favorite...the fools that were kayaking Wolfeboro Bay during the fireworks finale. With a stern light. Legal, yeah. Would I be so crazy? No.
You can't legislate common sense, just sayin.
But in the meantime you just have to keep your eyes open.

But they had the right to be there, correct?

[Chaselady]

Originally Posted by topwater

But they had the right to be there, correct?

Yes, like I said in my post.....

[NH_boater]

I have a right to tread water, alone in the middle of Wolfeboro bay on a busy 4th of July, does not make it smart to do so. I could easily end up dead, right or not.

Laws cannot prevent all stupid behavior or decisions. Legal activity may not be smart or safe activity. Personal decisions and accountability still come in to play.

I personally would not float around in a kayak at a fireworks show in the middle Wolfeboro Bay. I would think it was a good way to invite trouble. If someone else thought it was a good idea, well this is their decision. I guess they can except the results. Of course, they might attempt a law suit.

[HellRaZoR004]

I think it was 3-kayaks in Wolfeboro during the private fireworks display. Thanks to the gentleman that announced on CH16 that they were there with very dim headlamps.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by NH_boater

I have a right to tread water, alone in the middle of Wolfeboro bay on a busy 4th of July, does not make it smart to do so. I could easily end up dead, right or not.

Laws cannot prevent all stupid behavior or decisions. Legal activity may not be smart or safe activity. Personal decisions and accountability still come in to play.

I personally would not float around in a kayak at a fireworks show in the middle Wolfeboro Bay. I would think it was a good way to invite trouble. If someone else thought it was a good idea, well this is their decision. I guess they can except the results. Of course, they might attempt a law suit.

Treading water alone in the middle of Wolfeboro Bay could be the result of accident, misadventure, collision, capsize, or ejection—especially on a 4th of July. "Legal" need not apply—because it could cost you in Civil Court.

Assume nothing—maintain a proper watch—night or day.

[tc_mike]

Originally Posted by ApS

Treading water alone in the middle of Wolfeboro Bay could be the result of accident, misadventure, collision, capsize, or ejection—especially on a 4th of July. "Legal" need not apply—because it could cost you in Civil Court.

Assume nothing—maintain a proper watch—night or day.

Yeah, I suppose that is a good rule to live by - but back to the point it would really be very selfish for someone to make a conscience decision that very much increases the chance of putting someone else in such a potentially tragic and life-ruining scenario - even if they did not happen to care all that much for their own well being.

[NH_boater]

Originally Posted by ApS

Treading water alone in the middle of Wolfeboro Bay could be the result of accident, misadventure, collision, capsize, or ejection—especially on a 4th of July. "Legal" need not apply—because it could cost you in Civil Court.

Assume nothing—maintain a proper watch—night or day.

The point you may have missed is that it would not be smart (although legal) to do it intentionally. The captain who hits you may be at fault in civil or criminal court, but still.....

Of course, every captain needs to always keep an active lookout.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by NH_boater

The point you may have missed is that it would not be smart (although legal) to do it intentionally. The captain who hits you may be at fault in civil or criminal court, but still.....Of course, every captain needs to always keep an active lookout.

Monday, just 300' from my dock, five new renters swam out about 600', and paddled around. (First picture).

About ten minutes later, four had headed to shore, leaving just "Mom". (Extreme right in second picture).

When "Mom" returned to shore, a lone Donzi came by and just stared down at the woman who'd been in his path just seconds earlier.
(Third picture).

Yes, swimmers are hard to see, even in calm waters—in broad daylight.



.

[SIKSUKR]

I'm amazed at how stupid people are.

[tis]

I have to agree. I always cringe when I see people swimming out in the middle. You just cannot see them.

[ishoot308]

Same thing happened to me Wednesday morning when I was coming in to the Glenadale docks to go to work. Two swimmers swimming from Belknap point to Varney point. Luckily I have good eyesight and spotted them in plenty of time to slow down, my wife who was with never saw them. They had black wetsuits on and blue caps. Very hard to see!

Dan

[Rusty]

I'm glad that I'm not a neighbor of Aps. Posting images (and video tapes) on local forums of your neighbors (or their renters) activities whether legal or illegal is somewhat disturbing.
Maybe your neighbor who rents their home should post a sign that says: "Warning, you may be video taped of your activities and they could be posted on the internet".

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by Rusty

Posting images (and video tapes) on local forums of your neighbors (or their renters) activities whether legal or illegal is somewhat disturbing

I agree and have removed pictures like this in the past when the people or boat were clearly identifiable. In this case the swimmers are just dots and no one can tell who they are.

[Dave R]

I was surprised by a pair of swimmers more than 1/4 mile away from shore on a choppy and cloudy day a few years ago in Alton Bay. They were incredibly hard to see. Since then, I have learned to keep a sharp lookout dead ahead for stuff low in the water; I don't want to be the guy that runs over a swimmer, stupid or not. That habit paid of handsomely last week when I was dodging all kinds of flotsam on the Hudson River. That's a river that you could never safely navigate at speed, at night. Saw some really big stuff floating on it.

[Chaselady]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

I'm amazed at how stupid people are.

Not me, not anymore.

[Webbsatwinni]

APS, what is the point of this post? That people swim in the lake, or that people own Donzi's and that make of boat is bad?

Originally Posted by ApS

Monday, just 300' from my dock, five new renters swam out about 600', and paddled around. (First picture).

About ten minutes later, four had headed to shore, leaving just "Mom". (Extreme right in second picture).

When "Mom" returned to shore, a lone Donzi came by and just stared down at the woman who'd been in his path just seconds earlier.
(Third picture).

Yes, swimmers are hard to see, even in calm waters—in broad daylight.



.