Lake Winnisquam rower killed by pontoon boat

rick35 · 07-29-2024, 04:25 PM

I have an orange kayak, wear an orange pfd and have reflectors on my paddles and I still almost got run over a few years ago. In that case the boat driver was looking aft watching his skier. It wasn't until I blew my whistle that he turned away. If I had been rowing I never would have seen him and he probably would have run over me.

ApS · 08-25-2024, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rick35

I have an orange kayak, wear an orange pfd and have reflectors on my paddles and I still almost got run over a few years ago. In that case the boat driver was looking aft watching his skier. It wasn't until I blew my whistle that he turned away. If I had been rowing I never would have seen him and he probably would have run over me.

You don't have to be rowing (while facing aft). Devices are available to enable rowing while facing forward.

https://www.frontrower.com/

But the same hazard exists. Facing forward doesn't protect you from being run over by an inattentive boater. Every US boater is still required to maintain a proper watch and adjust speed for conditions.

https://www.boat-ed.com/florida/stud...0101002_30085/

In New Hampshire, also to keep 150-feet from shore, swimmers, rafts, floats and other boats--whether moving or stationary.

Requiring NH vendors of PFDs to have NH-specific rules printed on PFD backs would direct boat operators' ["drivers"] attention to those rules--especially when youngsters are wearing them--as required by present rules. (e.g., 50-feet rules, licensure rules, children's PFD rules, speed-limit rules, rafting rules, spotter rules).

Boat-rental businesses, among "vendors", would also be included under these provisions.

Not far from Tuftonboro Road is a rack with several rowing shells; oftentimes, under calm conditions, rowers are out on Winter Harbor rowing their light, but fragile, shells.

How long before rowing shells go the way of canoes on Lake Winnipesaukee?

Descant · 08-25-2024, 11:37 AM

Your local bicycle shop has flags on fiberglass whips and helmets with rear view mirrors.

07-29-2024, 04:25 PM	#1
rick35 Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Bear Island/Merrimack Posts: 807 Thanks: 58 Thanked 203 Times in 130 Posts	I have an orange kayak, wear an orange pfd and have reflectors on my paddles and I still almost got run over a few years ago. In that case the boat driver was looking aft watching his skier. It wasn't until I blew my whistle that he turned away. If I had been rowing I never would have seen him and he probably would have run over me.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to rick35 For This Useful Post:
ApS (08-25-2024), FlyingScot (07-29-2024)

08-25-2024, 11:37 AM	#3
Descant Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Merrimack and Welch Island Posts: 4,449 Thanks: 1,373 Thanked 1,650 Times in 1,078 Posts	Your local bicycle shop has flags on fiberglass whips and helmets with rear view mirrors.