Waterskiing etiquette and 150' rule

KonaChick · 07-30-2007, 04:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LocalRealtor

I'm not usually one turn people in, as I feel it would be nice if Marine Patrol did their job on their own. But, they never seem to be in the right place at the right time. In this instance, I think reporting the offender, and a subsequent visit from Marine Patrol might help. It seems as though this person knew they were breaking the rule and glaringly at that. I think we all should start writing down bow numbers and take action against these reckless offenders.

I agree wholeheartedly. Several weeks ago i witnessed two children (under age 12 in my estimation) coming out their cove a few coves over from us on a jet ski. Well, I thought no problem..they will eventually get caught and hopefully that will solve that problem. They did this on an off for several hours. MP even cruised by twice but did not see them. I kept thinking to myself...get caught get caught!! Well..the last trip out the two girls were arguing with one another loud enough for me to hear and the girl in the back grabbed the throttle and pushed down and the both of them almost went a$$ over tea kettle as the jet ski lurched forward out of control. They both screamed and started hitting each other. That was the last straw and I called MP. Of course a few minutes later they were back in hiding in their cove. I was smart enough however to get the bow #'s off the jet ski. MP did their job and 20 minutes later i saw them going into their cove. Good job MP. The sad part of the story is two days late i see 3 young girls coming out of the same cove again on that jet ski. All they probably got was a warning because MP didn't witness the incident. I guess we shouldn't be calling MP for every little infraction but for the really big ones...it's all of our responsibility!!

Gavia immer · 07-30-2007, 04:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KonaChick

The sad part of the story is two days late i see 3 young girls coming out of the same cove again on that jet ski. All they probably got was a warning because MP didn't witness the incident. I guess we shouldn't be calling MP for every little infraction but for the really big ones...it's all of our responsibility!!

You did the right thing. The third girl was probably 16 or older. But the "one broken window" theory that cleaned up New York City targeted the smallest infractions. Methinks Winni could use your kind of help.

Rattlesnake Guy · 07-30-2007, 05:27 PM

Having people pass within a 75 foot distance is getting to be so common to us that we are thinking of getting an inexpensive camera to keep on the boat at the ready to capture these fools in action. I have to believe these folks are repeat offenders and could be easily found to have dozens of violations in a single trip out on the water.

I wonder if their is a simple technique to give the snap shot some credibility for a judgment of distance. (For example, no zoom) Picture of a 20 and 30 foot boat at a measured 150 foot distance for reference. Perhaps if the MPs had a bunch of pics to show the repeat offenders, they could pay them an interesting visit. Or give more than a warning when they do get stopped.

Just getting tired of having to kill the engines every time one of these geniuses come buy.

MJM · 07-31-2007, 09:30 AM

The ability to judge the distance (scale) in a photo is a challenge. How about having a person visible in the foreground? That would likely help.

We've talked about, but fortunately haven't had to resort to, using our video camera to capture the offender. Being able to show more than just a snapshot would be a lot easier to estimate the distance. Convert it to an mpg, and email it off to MP!

BroadHopper · 07-31-2007, 11:19 AM

I have to drop of my ski(s) along the 150' of safe passage. I had one ski chopped up by a propeller and I had skis picked up by the Marine Patrol twice. The MP consider the skis a hazard. I did not get a warning or ticket but I had to wait up to 4 hours for them to return the ski. I had to sign a form as proof of ownership.

I always drop off the skis as close to the dock as possible and out of boat traffic. Is there anyone that had the same problem?

Rattlesnake Gal · 08-03-2007, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

I always drop off the skis as close to the dock as possible and out of boat traffic. Is there anyone that had the same problem?

The day our son decided to try and drop his ski, I was out behind them (yes, over 150’ away) and retrieved it immediately.

Is wakeboarding and skiing with one ski similar?

What’s wrong with some boaters? Last week on the biggest part of the lake with no one around, Capt’n Bonehead violated us with a skier in the water! We started freaking out and he just waved at us as if we were just saying hello

Kamper · 08-03-2007, 08:03 AM

FWIW - A square orange flag is required in some locales to indicate you have a water-skier or other towed recreation. It's not required in NH, but if you have one there will be something handy to wave for attention.

It's not a safety guarantee but most folks will slow down when you waive something other than your hand.

Good luck!

wildwoodfam · 08-03-2007, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamper

FWIW - A square orange flag is required in some locales to indicate you have a water-skier or other towed recreation. It's not required in NH, but if you have one there will be something handy to wave for attention.

It's not a safety guarantee but most folks will slow down when you waive something other than your hand.

Good luck!

We were always taught to get the ski off as quick as we could and hold it up out of the water - so we were more visible to boaters and that would in turn HOPEFULLY cause them to slow down if they were near.

Do folks still do this? WE DO!

But I rarely see others holding up their ski!

IN VT my cousins have the red flag in their boat and when someone goes down the flag goes up! Its not a bad idea - but in NH it would confuse folks - who at least on Winni - appear easily confused more often than not!

Kamper · 08-03-2007, 05:29 PM

[QUOTE=wildwoodfam]We were always taught to get the ski off as quick as we could and hold it up out of the water - so we were more visible to boaters and that would in turn HOPEFULLY cause them to slow down ... QUOTE]

Yes. That's the technique for the person in the water. It's makes them a more clear target. For recovery that is.

Hopefully we wont have to start requiring skiers and tubers to carry strobes or other stuff.

07-30-2007, 05:27 PM	#3
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	We need a deterent to violation Having people pass within a 75 foot distance is getting to be so common to us that we are thinking of getting an inexpensive camera to keep on the boat at the ready to capture these fools in action. I have to believe these folks are repeat offenders and could be easily found to have dozens of violations in a single trip out on the water. I wonder if their is a simple technique to give the snap shot some credibility for a judgment of distance. (For example, no zoom) Picture of a 20 and 30 foot boat at a measured 150 foot distance for reference. Perhaps if the MPs had a bunch of pics to show the repeat offenders, they could pay them an interesting visit. Or give more than a warning when they do get stopped. Just getting tired of having to kill the engines every time one of these geniuses come buy.

07-31-2007, 11:19 AM	#5
BroadHopper Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Laconia NH Posts: 5,619 Thanks: 3,247 Thanked 1,117 Times in 802 Posts	Unfortunately I have to drop of my ski(s) along the 150' of safe passage. I had one ski chopped up by a propeller and I had skis picked up by the Marine Patrol twice. The MP consider the skis a hazard. I did not get a warning or ticket but I had to wait up to 4 hours for them to return the ski. I had to sign a form as proof of ownership. I always drop off the skis as close to the dock as possible and out of boat traffic. Is there anyone that had the same problem? __________________ Someday may never be an actual day.

08-03-2007, 08:03 AM	#7
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,312 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	Orange Flag FWIW - A square orange flag is required in some locales to indicate you have a water-skier or other towed recreation. It's not required in NH, but if you have one there will be something handy to wave for attention. It's not a safety guarantee but most folks will slow down when you waive something other than your hand. Good luck!

07-31-2007, 09:30 AM	#4
MJM Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 262 Thanks: 0 Thanked 23 Times in 11 Posts	The ability to judge the distance (scale) in a photo is a challenge. How about having a person visible in the foreground? That would likely help. We've talked about, but fortunately haven't had to resort to, using our video camera to capture the offender. Being able to show more than just a snapshot would be a lot easier to estimate the distance. Convert it to an mpg, and email it off to MP!

08-03-2007, 05:29 PM	#9
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,312 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	[QUOTE=wildwoodfam]We were always taught to get the ski off as quick as we could and hold it up out of the water - so we were more visible to boaters and that would in turn HOPEFULLY cause them to slow down ... QUOTE] Yes. That's the technique for the person in the water. It's makes them a more clear target. For recovery that is. Hopefully we wont have to start requiring skiers and tubers to carry strobes or other stuff.