New Hampshire to outlaw swimming

CHSLTD · 03-02-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpartri497

Zee:

you hit the nail right on the head.( I moved from mass. to NH to get away from this mentality,) Thats the whole problem in a nut shell hundreds of mass. people moving here.

(Im ready to get bashed for this one)

fpartri497

The beauty is ANYONE can move here. Just like you did.

Grant · 03-02-2006, 06:35 PM

What about skinny dipping? Do I need to wear a light? If so, what color?

Skip · 03-02-2006, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grant

What about skinny dipping? Do I need to wear a light? If so, what color?

Probably in your (and my) case, a black light would be appropriate...

Now, if we also have to fly a flag??????

Remember, 150' is more than enough!

Grant · 03-02-2006, 06:47 PM

Here's a semi-related story...

One night I was taking one of my customary post-dinner "au natural" swims, enjoying a nice warm night... I stood on the very end of the dock, marveling at the stars and bright moon...when I heard a cough...I looked over at the dock next door and saw the glow of a cigarette...

The neighbors were having a little laugh (or gasp), as I was totally oblivious to their presence, despite the bright moonlight...

fpartri497 · 03-02-2006, 07:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CHSLTD

The beauty is ANYONE can move here. Just like you did.

I didnt move here, I was Born here and will die here.

Live free or die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Silver Duck · 03-02-2006, 08:36 PM

The ideas in this bill all sound pretty good to me! Some of the wording may need a bit of tweaking; for instance, larger boats often use a split white light with the forwaed-facing light having a 240 degree coverage and a transom-mounted stern light with 120 degree coverage rather than an all-around light on a pole. But, the idea of an orange light added to the mix would really help in differentiating a boat's stern light from somebody's porch light!

As for Braun Bay and the West Alton sand bar, it sounds as though the commissioner has the authority to designate them as swimming areas. No problemo!

Silver Duck

fatlazyless · 03-02-2006, 09:19 PM

Well gee whiz and holly molly, some of the things that I say are so profound that I just like to go back and read them over and over, again. If "150 is far enough' gets attributed to me, then by golly I must have said it. Even if I didn't, I'm happy to take credit for this phrase. Must have been that Forest Gump education that I received growing up, or something.

As Forest always used to say: 45mph is hardly a slow speed for a boat. Is is, in fact a very fast speed!
But what does Forest know? He was a walker and not a boater. Duh!

Skip · 03-02-2006, 09:31 PM

C'mon FLL, we've got to get it right!

Momma always said "150' ain't a short distance....In fact it is a very great distance!"

I think she also said:

Taking the on-line boating test is like gettin' a box o' candy, you just never know what your gonna get fer questions!

'Course when me & Jenny were out on the big Lake and she saw them bad ol' Marine Patrolmen come snoopin' around, I'll never ferget those words she'd always bellow out:

Run FOREST, RUNNNNN!!!!!

Bear Lover · 03-02-2006, 09:43 PM

If the opposition thinks this is funny then the supporters are rolling in the aisles.

The live free or die crowd now thinks that a state law against swimming is reasonable.

Yankee · 03-02-2006, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fpartri497

I didnt move here, I was Born here and will die here.

Live free or die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cal · 03-02-2006, 11:54 PM

Like I said a while back "Be careful what you wish for........

Well get ready people here it comes again.
I can't for the life of me figure out how humanity has survived for so long with out all these laws , rules and regulations to protect us from ourselves.
Your elected officials just keep chipping away at yours , mine amd everbody elses freedoms and you allow it to happen and sometimes even ask for it as long as it doesn't effect you!
If my wife can't sleep tonight , it will probably be from me laughing in my sleep.
And Skip, with your earlier monolog on this , you should replace Jay Leno when he retires

Lakegeezer · 03-03-2006, 12:30 AM

There are some interesting ideas in the proposed law, but it is scary that the vote could come as early as next week. The issues need to be chewed on a while - and positions need be taken. Some excellent points have already been made. This forum knows the drill. As for my take, it may be unsafe to stop the motor in the middle of the broads and jump out to swim a bit, but should it be illegal? Should the state be defining a new standard for boat lighting by requiring orange lights? NH already has unique spar standards; does it need to be more out of sync with common practices? On the other hand, I like the rule about no red/green lights on shoreline houses as I've been confused by lights on shore. A neighbor across the lake has red and green lights on their sides of their boat garage door. At night it really looks like a big boat sitting there. But, as a whole, the proposals seem to be another attempt at making laws which restrict people from taking responsibility for risky actions that usually go OK - (like going 50 in the broads on Tuesday October 8'th at 2PM) NH is trying to make life too safe at the cost of freedom. Our new motto is becoming "Live in compliance and stay safe". We should not gloat at the pro-speed-limit folks who may feel differently about this new proposal, but should welcome the dialog that exchanges our views.

ITD · 03-03-2006, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

There are some interesting ideas in the proposed law, but it is scary that the vote could come as early as next week. The issues need to be chewed on a while - and positions need be taken. Some excellent points have already been made. This forum knows the drill. As for my take, it may be unsafe to stop the motor in the middle of the broads and jump out to swim a bit, but should it be illegal? Should the state be defining a new standard for boat lighting by requiring orange lights? NH already has unique spar standards; does it need to be more out of sync with common practices? On the other hand, I like the rule about no red/green lights on shoreline houses as I've been confused by lights on shore. A neighbor across the lake has red and green lights on their sides of their boat garage door. At night it really looks like a big boat sitting there. But, as a whole, the proposals seem to be another attempt at making laws which restrict people from taking responsibility for risky actions that usually go OK - (like going 50 in the broads on Tuesday October 8'th at 2PM) NH is trying to make life too safe at the cost of freedom. Our new motto is becoming "Live in compliance and stay safe". We should not gloat at the pro-speed-limit folks who may feel differently about this new proposal, but should welcome the dialog that exchanges our views.

LG,

You make good points, I don't think many people are happy about these new rules. I also don't think anyone is gloating, but you have to admit the comedic value when one of the most prolific pro-speed limit posters is upset because her "fatality" posts helped cause a law to be proposed that will limit an activity on the lake she obviously enjoys. A clear case of what goes around comes around. I think the whole situation is sad, they've awaken big brother like kids poking a tiger with a stick.

And the line about the backdoor attempt by waterfront owners to limit rafting, priceless.

Island Lover · 03-03-2006, 02:02 AM

I think this new law is a good idea for the most part. But before we pass a law we need to reflect on the ramifications. We have been reflecting on HB142 for about 14 months now.

Somewhere along the line it was decided to extend HB162 to all NH waters. Then they realized this included the ocean, so they made an exception for the ocean, then they realized they had no clear definition for where rivers end and oceans begin. This is what happens when you don't think it through.

I never swim more than 150' from shore. But I don't think the person that wrote this bill thought about all the ramifications.

Contrary to what has been posted the Dept of Safety will only be able to make exceptions for "operators of youth camps, swim meets, and schools, and for other water events".

The really funny moment will be when the opposition stops laughing and discovers that the swimming ban effects boaters quite a bit, and residents of Bear Island not at all.

So as far as I am concerned lets pass this bill, it has my vote.

Mike M. · 03-03-2006, 01:32 AM

I agree people shouldn't be allowed to use navigation colors on the shore. That's law makes sense for other peoples safety...

What would the fine be for swimming more than a 150' from shore? I can't even believe there is going to be a law controlling the distance you can swim from shore without a boat.

I don't think I have been in excess of a 150' for a while but the fact I will be fined for doing that isn't right.

How much freedom are people going to give up before they wake up and realize we aren't free anymore.

This should be left to common sense.

"Live free or die"

ApS · 03-03-2006, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakegeezer

"...But, as a whole, the proposals seem to be another attempt at making laws which restrict people from taking responsibility for risky actions that usually go OK..."

1) True. I hardly ever swim, but I do a lot of "floating".

I was very unhappy to see an MP escorting two tubers closer to shore once. One was on a large tractor tube, and the other on a towing-type tube. Have Winnipesaukee speeds gotten so bad that you can't dive, kayak, fall off your skis, or even float in a tube?

2) Remember that "no-rafting" bill early last season? There could be a link to that aborted SB-155FN bill co-sponsored by Rep. Whalley of the "unlimited Winnipesaukee speeds" crowd.

3) However, it is reminiscent of New Jersey's laws regarding visibility and their high-speed boat problem. New Jersey had recent headlines about three brothers—of the same family—killed in a NJ GFBL crash.

New Jersey should worry about their allowing unlimited speeds, uninsured boaters, and still having a skier, diver, and kayak "problem". It's that same old GFBL refrain: "We can't see them". (Unless they slow down for speed bumps, but slowing is completely unacceptable). OTOH, New Jersey has the highest concentration of humans (per square mile) than even China! Perhaps the day will come that such a bill could seem reasonable for Winnipesaukee.

4) According to the Coast Guard, you can swim anywhere in the ocean! Seems these HB-1463 people have their priorities wrong. At first glance, this proposal reads like something at "The Onion" or "Scrappleface"; i.e., a parody of HB162.

5) I'd like to know who the sponsor of this bill is—if it's not a parody.

Otherwise, it's only a flat-lander reply to HB162, with one good shoreline idea thrown in—just to give it "legs".

BTW: The most sensible dock-lighting suggestion appeared here.

03-02-2006, 06:35 PM	#2
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,503 Thanks: 382 Thanked 231 Times in 125 Posts	What about skinny dipping? Do I need to wear a light? If so, what color? __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

03-02-2006, 06:47 PM	#4
Grant Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Pennsyltuckey, Tuftonboro, Moultonborough Posts: 1,503 Thanks: 382 Thanked 231 Times in 125 Posts	Here's a semi-related story... One night I was taking one of my customary post-dinner "au natural" swims, enjoying a nice warm night... I stood on the very end of the dock, marveling at the stars and bright moon...when I heard a cough...I looked over at the dock next door and saw the glow of a cigarette... The neighbors were having a little laugh (or gasp), as I was totally oblivious to their presence, despite the bright moonlight... __________________ "When I die, please don't let my wife sell my dive gear for what I told her I paid for it."

03-02-2006, 08:36 PM	#6
Silver Duck Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Billerica, MA Posts: 364 Thanks: 40 Thanked 4 Times in 3 Posts	Serious safety improvements The ideas in this bill all sound pretty good to me! Some of the wording may need a bit of tweaking; for instance, larger boats often use a split white light with the forwaed-facing light having a 240 degree coverage and a transom-mounted stern light with 120 degree coverage rather than an all-around light on a pole. But, the idea of an orange light added to the mix would really help in differentiating a boat's stern light from somebody's porch light! As for Braun Bay and the West Alton sand bar, it sounds as though the commissioner has the authority to designate them as swimming areas. No problemo! Silver Duck

03-02-2006, 09:19 PM	#7
fatlazyless Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 8,805 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 301 Thanked 1,026 Times in 746 Posts	...well golly gee willikers! Well gee whiz and holly molly, some of the things that I say are so profound that I just like to go back and read them over and over, again. If "150 is far enough' gets attributed to me, then by golly I must have said it. Even if I didn't, I'm happy to take credit for this phrase. Must have been that Forest Gump education that I received growing up, or something. As Forest always used to say: 45mph is hardly a slow speed for a boat. Is is, in fact a very fast speed! But what does Forest know? He was a walker and not a boater. Duh!

03-02-2006, 09:31 PM	#8
Skip Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 1,615 Thanks: 256 Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts	Ah, Gumpisms C'mon FLL, we've got to get it right! Momma always said "150' ain't a short distance....In fact it is a very great distance!" I think she also said: Taking the on-line boating test is like gettin' a box o' candy, you just never know what your gonna get fer questions! 'Course when me & Jenny were out on the big Lake and she saw them bad ol' Marine Patrolmen come snoopin' around, I'll never ferget those words she'd always bellow out: *Run FOREST, RUNNNNN!!!!!*

03-02-2006, 09:43 PM	#9
Bear Lover Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 96 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	If the opposition thinks this is funny then the supporters are rolling in the aisles. The live free or die crowd now thinks that a state law against swimming is reasonable.

03-02-2006, 11:54 PM	#11
Cal Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Pitman , NJ Posts: 627 Thanks: 40 Thanked 21 Times in 12 Posts	Like I said a while back "Be careful what you wish for........ Well get ready people here it comes again. I can't for the life of me figure out how humanity has survived for so long with out all these laws , rules and regulations to protect us from ourselves. Your elected officials just keep chipping away at yours , mine amd everbody elses freedoms and you allow it to happen and sometimes even ask for it as long as it doesn't effect you! If my wife can't sleep tonight , it will probably be from me laughing in my sleep. And Skip, with your earlier monolog on this , you should replace Jay Leno when he retires Attached Images __________________ Paddle faster , I think I here banjos

03-03-2006, 12:30 AM	#12
Lakegeezer Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Moultonboro, NH Posts: 1,680 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 355 Thanked 640 Times in 291 Posts	Not funny There are some interesting ideas in the proposed law, but it is scary that the vote could come as early as next week. The issues need to be chewed on a while - and positions need be taken. Some excellent points have already been made. This forum knows the drill. As for my take, it may be unsafe to stop the motor in the middle of the broads and jump out to swim a bit, but should it be illegal? Should the state be defining a new standard for boat lighting by requiring orange lights? NH already has unique spar standards; does it need to be more out of sync with common practices? On the other hand, I like the rule about no red/green lights on shoreline houses as I've been confused by lights on shore. A neighbor across the lake has red and green lights on their sides of their boat garage door. At night it really looks like a big boat sitting there. But, as a whole, the proposals seem to be another attempt at making laws which restrict people from taking responsibility for risky actions that usually go OK - (like going 50 in the broads on Tuesday October 8'th at 2PM) NH is trying to make life too safe at the cost of freedom. Our new motto is becoming "Live in compliance and stay safe". We should not gloat at the pro-speed-limit folks who may feel differently about this new proposal, but should welcome the dialog that exchanges our views. __________________ -lg

03-03-2006, 02:02 AM	#14
Island Lover Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 213 Thanks: 0 Thanked 3 Times in 1 Post	I think this new law is a good idea for the most part. But before we pass a law we need to reflect on the ramifications. We have been reflecting on HB142 for about 14 months now. Somewhere along the line it was decided to extend HB162 to all NH waters. Then they realized this included the ocean, so they made an exception for the ocean, then they realized they had no clear definition for where rivers end and oceans begin. This is what happens when you don't think it through. I never swim more than 150' from shore. But I don't think the person that wrote this bill thought about all the ramifications. Contrary to what has been posted the Dept of Safety will only be able to make exceptions for "operators of youth camps, swim meets, and schools, and for other water events". The really funny moment will be when the opposition stops laughing and discovers that the swimming ban effects boaters quite a bit, and residents of Bear Island not at all. So as far as I am concerned lets pass this bill, it has my vote.

03-03-2006, 01:32 AM	#15
Mike M. Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 40 Thanks: 3 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I agree people shouldn't be allowed to use navigation colors on the shore. That's law makes sense for other peoples safety... What would the fine be for swimming more than a 150' from shore? I can't even believe there is going to be a law controlling the distance you can swim from shore without a boat. I don't think I have been in excess of a 150' for a while but the fact I will be fined for doing that isn't right. How much freedom are people going to give up before they wake up and realize we aren't free anymore. This should be left to common sense. "Live free or die"