Sad news for a family

And the week end has just started. Watching a parade of idiots in small boats and jet ski passing by the marina Already speeding... It's a popular launch spot and not a single law enforcement boat.

They have established an15kts speed limit in m out of the bay from 7pm to midnight tomorrow.

First 15kts is too fast at night in crowded conditions but worst it has not even been published in the LNTMs. Not that th average boater reads them anyway...

Glad we r heading out to the Bahamas tomorrow morning
 
When kayaking inlets in Barnegat Bay, I often encounter PWC's whipping around blind bends at top speed. They probably think they are safe since they won't encounter any big boats in the shallow water, but don't' consider that they could slam into another fool on a PWC.
 
We're on a 50-NM round trip for a fireworks safety zone tomorrow. DEFENSIVE is our watchword. Even more so than usual.

Be vigilant but ENJOY INDEPENDENCE DAY! Most of us'll have fun and come out fine.
 
The admiral just let me know that she doesn't want to watch the fireworks from our boat, something we haven't done before, because she is concerned about the idiots on the water and my ability to dock after dark. Our slip is an extremely tight one in a corner and requires me to go down the marina's channel, stop before hitting the dock, do a 180 degree turn in a channel only 10' or so wider than our boat, and then back into our slip while swinging 45 degrees to port. It's a very tricky slip to leave and in which to dock. After dark, it could be a 'bump and turn', not something I want to do. We'll watch the show from the second floor of the clubhouse. Have a safe Fourth, all. Hy
 
We went to Lanier Islands as we always do for fireworks. Compared to previous seasons, the GA DNR was really on the job last night.

We anchored and a few minutes later here comes a PWC with a child about 10 at the controls and a teenager about 17 behind him. Mind you it was 8:50 PM well beyond "lights on". I said, "No way that operator is of age and PWC at night, no nav lights. Smooth move" No sooner had the words came out of my mouth than, BLUE LIGHTS! They got him. So we sat there and watched them process those two, then they moved on. I swear that DNR boat could not go 100 yards without stopping for an open and flagrant violation. These were not boardings or inspections these were stark naked for all to see. Next one was under age life vest, then more nav lights etc.

So after the disappointingly short fireworks show (1/2 the usual) we haul anchor and start to head out. It is sort of a free for all, but still nav rules should apply right? Well I am idling along and this guy to my port speeds up then crosses me at a 90 degree from my port! I had to slam in reverse to keep from hitting him. I pick up my hailer and say, "So I guess you missed that whole port and starboard thing in safety class right?" He gives me a stupid look then BLUE LIGHTS!. So I say to the officer, "Do you want me?" He says, "No....Thanks for wearing your vests by the way". (We always wear our SOSpenders at night)

I just wish the DNR was out every night like that.
 
Our boat will stay on the lift today. Went out yesterday and two lake fleas tried to commit suicide by cutting right in front of me. The heck with it, I can go out anytime. Walk out the door, onto the dock and go. Too crazy today!

We will watch the fireworks from the dock and as a bonus we will have a large whiskey. That would not happen on the boat.
 
We went out during the daytime on the Fourth and met up with our daughter and son-in-law and their friends anchored in Manhassett Bay, Long Island. Enjoyed the water and then came back to the club, watching for the clowns on their jetskis. We stayed on shore and watched the fireworks with drink in hand until the rain became too heavy to stay outside. Said goodbye and went home, safe and sound. Great to live in the land of the free. Safe boating, all. Hy
 
Hy, I'm glad you're getting out and doing stuff. I remember last year you had to stop some engine work till you felt better. Have things cleared up?

OK, Boating Related... Jacksonville's show came off under clear HOT skies. They don't launch till 2145 so our 25-NM run home took us nearly two hours. Wind came up, river got choppy, and there were many boats headed our way. Poor lighting, NAVRULS violations, plain ol' rudeness. But we made it home IIF (Injury Incident Free).
 
Got out early on the 4th, wasn't too bad, but after lunch things really got rolling - I called it quits when I watched a pontoon boat come through the sandbar I was anchored at about 15-20mph, right between two shoal markers, 10 or so feet from anchored boats in about only a few feet of water, flying a full size American, Confederate and pirate flag off the stern - the bad part was the fat kid with his feet hanging off the front acting like he was skiing. Saw a couple of other "bow danglers", just makes me cringe seeing that.
 
Fireworks were GREAT.

We ALWAYS wait for the drunks to leave first, before heading home.

Coming into our canal system observed a boat in a turn, who then headed right for us, broadsides.

I hit the throttles to avoid him and continued on our way.

Looking behind us we observed him threading the wrong side of the markers, lucky for him it was high tide.

we were not at all surprised t see him whack the bridge, and bounce off of it.

oh well, 4th of july entertainment !

RWS
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top