Open Apology for Rude Boaters Everywhere
Rude boaters ruin fishing fun at City Dock
The Free Lance-Star
Date published: Mon, 08/13/2001
I have a request for all the boaters who frequent the City Dock area. Please respect the shoreline fishermen and other boaters who are using the dock area for their recreation.
My family and I went to the dock area to fish the other night as we do on a regular basis. On one side of us where we fish there is a huge sign that posts a "No Wake" zone. There was a red and white boat in the river whose driver seemed to think the sign did not apply to him. He was being very disrespectful to others, driving back and forth creating a wake that I know was illegal.
Despite the fact that we were trying to get away for an afternoon........
I know none of the fine boaters who read these pages would create such havoc ....well....I'll have to admit, uhh... maybe once I ....or was it my buddy... who zipped around that bend right past that elderly fisherman in a 10 ft,Jon' boat; allready half full of water. Sure; it happens ocassionally, and to the best of us. But really inconsiderate and careless owners need to be reported.....By Other Boaters. to keep the water safe for all of the responsible boaters,"such as we are".
O yeah, and as far as that elderly fisherman goes; let me just say that yes; we slowed, and turned around, and hung our head, and apologized; and actually ended up becoming a friend of his. He's moved up to a 14 Jon boat and still fishes 'right round that bend'.
When you disturb the leisure time of others accidentially; nothing goes as far as a "I'm Sorry" and a "Are Ya'll OK"
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Distress Signals
If you see a distress signal, you are required by law to determine whether you can assist those in distress without endangering your own life or safety of your vessel. Where possible, you must also contact the nearest Rescue Coordination Centre to inform them of the type and location of the distress signal you have seen.
Knowing the following distress signals will help you call for help in an emergency and recognize those in trouble.
Not only is it against the law to make a false distress signal, but false alarms commit search and rescue personnel making them potentially unavailable or further away from real emergencies.
Marine Radio
DISTRESS CALL
Use: 2182 kHz (MF) or channel 16, 156.8 MHz (VHF) DSC alert, channel 70 (only for DSC type radios and where the service is offered)
CALLING PROCEDURES
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Mayday-------------Immediate danger for persons OR ship
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Pan-Pan-----------Urgent message concerning safety of a person or ship
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A "No Wake Zone" may be better than a speed limit to prevent the pollution and water quality problems that can occur when pleasure boats stir up a lake bottom, according to a Penn State study presented 9 November.
The Penn State study, conducted by David Hill, assistant professor of civil and environmental engineering, and Michele Beachler, a master of science candidate in civil and environmental engineering, found that even at low speeds, boats can stir up sediment and block sunlight from reaching underwater plants.
According to research done with ski boats, including a 4.8-metre, 150-horsepower (hp) outboard and a 5.8-metre, 275-hp inboard, boats at very low speeds and very high speeds had little impact on the amount of sediment that was stirred up. However, at speeds near six to eight miles per hour, where the boat was "near plane" or close to skimming the water, there was maximum potential to stir up the lake bottom.
Hill said there was not much impact from personal watercraft in water depths greater than around 1.2 metres, and there was little difference between inboard and outboard boats.
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