Lightning danger versus no-wake zone rules

twins · 06-24-2008, 07:48 PM

Here's my story about this...The storm was coming across the lake and everyone was scrambling to get home before it hit. I was headed through the Barber Pole with a line of boats in each direction. It is narrow, but if everyone gives way and stays to the side, you can stay on plane. Of course, here's comes a pontoon boat at 5 mph on a nice ride right down the middle, oblivious to everyone else.

Everyone had to basically stop and here are two Marine Patrol boats rafting by the Pole chatting. My boat is fairly large and even at slow speed it kicks up a bit of a wake, I was trying to get away from the pontoon boat so I could get back up on plane. The MP motions for me to slow down, which I do. As I went by I said "We're just trying to get home before the storm hits, I have 2 5yr olds with me" MP yells at me "I don't care, that's no excuse for breaking the law!" The discussion basically went downhill from there, I was looking behind me the rest of the way home waiting for him to come get me.

I respect what they do out there, especially when they are patrolling in weather I wouldn't step foot off the dock in, but I just had to shake my head
and wonder if they see all boaters as the enemy.

06-24-2008, 07:48 PM	#11
twins Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gem Island/St Petersburg FL Posts: 33 Thanks: 1 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	Here's my story about this...The storm was coming across the lake and everyone was scrambling to get home before it hit. I was headed through the Barber Pole with a line of boats in each direction. It is narrow, but if everyone gives way and stays to the side, you can stay on plane. Of course, here's comes a pontoon boat at 5 mph on a nice ride right down the middle, oblivious to everyone else. Everyone had to basically stop and here are two Marine Patrol boats rafting by the Pole chatting. My boat is fairly large and even at slow speed it kicks up a bit of a wake, I was trying to get away from the pontoon boat so I could get back up on plane. The MP motions for me to slow down, which I do. As I went by I said "We're just trying to get home before the storm hits, I have 2 5yr olds with me" MP yells at me "I don't care, that's no excuse for breaking the law!" The discussion basically went downhill from there, I was looking behind me the rest of the way home waiting for him to come get me. I respect what they do out there, especially when they are patrolling in weather I wouldn't step foot off the dock in, but I just had to shake my head and wonder if they see all boaters as the enemy.