Generally, my wife and I sail on Galveston Bay on Friday night and generally it is a pleasant and uneventful sail. This past weekend we sailed on Saturday night and it was simply awful. There were boats out there in the black of night with no lights and just a flashlight to shine on their sails as they sped passed. There were others who had every light on board turned on so you couldn't tell if they were anchored, steaming or undersail. We saw two near misses when boats just had no idea who had the right-away (right of way). When we reached the first set of channel markers on the way in we actually turned around and went back out and stood off until a large portion of these freeway drivers were gone. Now, here's the question. Is this what happens around the US or is this just a part of living in Houston and sailing in Galveston Bay. I have an urge to call the Coast Guard and get some order out there, but I probably won't. Interested in your replies???? Ron/KA5HZV
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Allen Schweitzer
I hear ya!!
I sail at least 2 evenings per week in Boston harbor and it never ceases to amaze me how dumb people can be. There are usually 2 guys running their offshore racing powerboats at full throttle trying to out-do each other (this is at dusk in a congested channel). Then there are those who don't have lights & don't care, those who always have their steaming lights on or anchor lights, too, when they're only under sail. My favorite is the guy in the 19' bow rider who likes to run at night with his docking lights on! I guess he thinks he's in a car, or he just thinks he looks cool. I actually called the coast guard on channel 16 when the offshore racers were speeding by at 60 to 70 miles per hour & they responded that the powerboaters weren't breaking the law. They told me that if their wake or their vessels caused damages, then I could sue. It's too bad that we have to wait for someone to get hurt before some regulations are put in place. I motion that we place a speed limit on narrow inland channels & that we require that all boaters pass a Power Squadron or Coast Guard course in basic boating safety. Anyone second it? Allen Schweitzer s/v Drambuie C-30, Hull# 632
I sail at least 2 evenings per week in Boston harbor and it never ceases to amaze me how dumb people can be. There are usually 2 guys running their offshore racing powerboats at full throttle trying to out-do each other (this is at dusk in a congested channel). Then there are those who don't have lights & don't care, those who always have their steaming lights on or anchor lights, too, when they're only under sail. My favorite is the guy in the 19' bow rider who likes to run at night with his docking lights on! I guess he thinks he's in a car, or he just thinks he looks cool. I actually called the coast guard on channel 16 when the offshore racers were speeding by at 60 to 70 miles per hour & they responded that the powerboaters weren't breaking the law. They told me that if their wake or their vessels caused damages, then I could sue. It's too bad that we have to wait for someone to get hurt before some regulations are put in place. I motion that we place a speed limit on narrow inland channels & that we require that all boaters pass a Power Squadron or Coast Guard course in basic boating safety. Anyone second it? Allen Schweitzer s/v Drambuie C-30, Hull# 632
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Mike Casucci
Powerboaters woest
My wife and I sail on Long Island Sound and have to go up the Housatonic River about a mile to get there. The channel is narrow and shallows out rapidly. Most of it is a steerage only area adjacent to a bird sanctuary, yet the power boaters roar past, creating large wakes from astern and causing damage. I have only seen one person pulled over and he got a warning.
My wife and I sail on Long Island Sound and have to go up the Housatonic River about a mile to get there. The channel is narrow and shallows out rapidly. Most of it is a steerage only area adjacent to a bird sanctuary, yet the power boaters roar past, creating large wakes from astern and causing damage. I have only seen one person pulled over and he got a warning.
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John J 310 #23
No lights
When we sailed on a lake in Kansas there was a cigarette boat that generally went roaring out late ,1-3 a.m., with no lights and full speed ahead. One night with their bow up in the air they did not see the anchored house boat. The results were three deaths, all on the powerboat. Many people had complained about these guys before, and nothing was done. It's sad that it ended the way it did. Some people just don't get it,it is everyone's responsibility to keep it safe on the water
When we sailed on a lake in Kansas there was a cigarette boat that generally went roaring out late ,1-3 a.m., with no lights and full speed ahead. One night with their bow up in the air they did not see the anchored house boat. The results were three deaths, all on the powerboat. Many people had complained about these guys before, and nothing was done. It's sad that it ended the way it did. Some people just don't get it,it is everyone's responsibility to keep it safe on the water
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Bob Howie
Time to license
Hey, Ron, I've seen the same thing and it's just not really worth dark-night sailing on Galveston Bay anymore. I don't give a flyin' rat's fanny about the other guys, but I do care quite a bit about my own fanny and those of my guests to risk it anymore unless we have one of those Harvest Moons hanging above us, so you can pretty much see. I don't mean to get off on a rant here, but it's time Texas mandated a required Boater's Safety Course resulting in a Recreational Boating License like a few others states, most notably Alabama, have done. In the Alabama case, boating accidents and boating-related injuries and deaths have dropped substantially. Lake Conroe, near where I live here, has been victimized for years by idiots upon whom the only levied requirement to helm a 45' Cigarette boat capable of doing 80mph is that their check didn't bounce! I'm not just picking on the Cigarette community in general either; just those very, very few who give us all bad names. And, before the nay-sayer's pummel me for suggesting a boating license please consider that to drive, you have to have a license AND insurance; to scuba dive, you have to have a minimal certification; fly? gotta have a license; deer hunt? you guessed it, gotta have that ticket in your pocket, so what's wrong with a mandatory Boater's Safety Course? Hell, I've been on the water for nearly 45 of my 48 years and if the Texas Legislature would only grow some balls when it comes to this issue, I'll be the first one to sign up for the course! As the other guy so aptly said, it's a sad state of affairs that requires someone to be hurt or killed before the state does something about wontonly careless boaters.
Hey, Ron, I've seen the same thing and it's just not really worth dark-night sailing on Galveston Bay anymore. I don't give a flyin' rat's fanny about the other guys, but I do care quite a bit about my own fanny and those of my guests to risk it anymore unless we have one of those Harvest Moons hanging above us, so you can pretty much see. I don't mean to get off on a rant here, but it's time Texas mandated a required Boater's Safety Course resulting in a Recreational Boating License like a few others states, most notably Alabama, have done. In the Alabama case, boating accidents and boating-related injuries and deaths have dropped substantially. Lake Conroe, near where I live here, has been victimized for years by idiots upon whom the only levied requirement to helm a 45' Cigarette boat capable of doing 80mph is that their check didn't bounce! I'm not just picking on the Cigarette community in general either; just those very, very few who give us all bad names. And, before the nay-sayer's pummel me for suggesting a boating license please consider that to drive, you have to have a license AND insurance; to scuba dive, you have to have a minimal certification; fly? gotta have a license; deer hunt? you guessed it, gotta have that ticket in your pocket, so what's wrong with a mandatory Boater's Safety Course? Hell, I've been on the water for nearly 45 of my 48 years and if the Texas Legislature would only grow some balls when it comes to this issue, I'll be the first one to sign up for the course! As the other guy so aptly said, it's a sad state of affairs that requires someone to be hurt or killed before the state does something about wontonly careless boaters.
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Don B.
hear your pain but....
I live, work, drive, & sail here in New Jersey which is the most densely populated state in the country. If we have just our share (percentage) of idiots out there on the water (and I believe we have more than our share), we will have quite a few more than you folks out there in "big ol' TEXAS. I hear your pain and get just as frustrated and angry as anyone when it comes to these obnoxious jerks, but friends, I'm not convinced more laws are the answer. You mentioned flying, driving, hunting etc and yet have you considered all the jerks on the road, in the air, out there shooting guns? Licensing didn't stop them, did it? Bottom line here is you can't legislate common sense or courtesy. Licensing will just create another bureaucracy that will cost us all $$ and some of our freedoms. So what’s the answer? My opinion? Defensive sailing and use the laws we have to the fullest. Report the jerks and sign the complaints. Don’t just expect law inforcment agencys to do it all. Carry a camara & take pictures. I know this wont work in the dark, but if more good boaters took “a bite out of crime” on the waters, the bad guys might start thinking twice about misbehaving. Don Bodemann
I live, work, drive, & sail here in New Jersey which is the most densely populated state in the country. If we have just our share (percentage) of idiots out there on the water (and I believe we have more than our share), we will have quite a few more than you folks out there in "big ol' TEXAS. I hear your pain and get just as frustrated and angry as anyone when it comes to these obnoxious jerks, but friends, I'm not convinced more laws are the answer. You mentioned flying, driving, hunting etc and yet have you considered all the jerks on the road, in the air, out there shooting guns? Licensing didn't stop them, did it? Bottom line here is you can't legislate common sense or courtesy. Licensing will just create another bureaucracy that will cost us all $$ and some of our freedoms. So what’s the answer? My opinion? Defensive sailing and use the laws we have to the fullest. Report the jerks and sign the complaints. Don’t just expect law inforcment agencys to do it all. Carry a camara & take pictures. I know this wont work in the dark, but if more good boaters took “a bite out of crime” on the waters, the bad guys might start thinking twice about misbehaving. Don Bodemann
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LaDonna Bubak - CatalinaOwners.com
You're not special
Well, I'm sure *you* are special but your problem isn't! It flabbergasts me how ignorant people are and apparently have no desire to learn proper etiquette/rules of the road. "Screw everybody else; it's all about me!" I NEVER take my boat out on holidays cuz they're the days all the nimrods who never boat are out. I don't need a new bow pulpit or paint job, thank you very much! :-( LaDonna
Well, I'm sure *you* are special but your problem isn't! It flabbergasts me how ignorant people are and apparently have no desire to learn proper etiquette/rules of the road. "Screw everybody else; it's all about me!" I NEVER take my boat out on holidays cuz they're the days all the nimrods who never boat are out. I don't need a new bow pulpit or paint job, thank you very much! :-( LaDonna
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Bill
Sail boaters no angels!!!
Sailing out of Mystic I set my sails in the sound and douse them while outside of the river. Noooooow, it is posible to sail down the river and in fact it is fun, but the channel is narrow and the trafic is large, so I chose to give the other people a break and motor (and observe the rules of under power) while in the narrow channel. I have to say it is VERY OFTEN that it is a fellow sailboat that decides to sail the channel and cause numerous boaters to give way and guess when they will tack. I guess there are fools in all types of boats.
Sailing out of Mystic I set my sails in the sound and douse them while outside of the river. Noooooow, it is posible to sail down the river and in fact it is fun, but the channel is narrow and the trafic is large, so I chose to give the other people a break and motor (and observe the rules of under power) while in the narrow channel. I have to say it is VERY OFTEN that it is a fellow sailboat that decides to sail the channel and cause numerous boaters to give way and guess when they will tack. I guess there are fools in all types of boats.
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Dennis Thomas
Bob -- It's already here!
Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. Anyone born on or after September 1, 1984 must complete an approved course and be crtified with TPWD to operate and vessel over 10 hp, any sailboat over 14 ft and all PWC. Game wardens as well as other law officers can enforce the rules and ticket offenders. It certainly happens here on Texoma (though not enough). S/V Anodyne
Check out the Texas Parks and Wildlife website. Anyone born on or after September 1, 1984 must complete an approved course and be crtified with TPWD to operate and vessel over 10 hp, any sailboat over 14 ft and all PWC. Game wardens as well as other law officers can enforce the rules and ticket offenders. It certainly happens here on Texoma (though not enough). S/V Anodyne
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JPF
At Least Minimal Instruction...
I have to agree that it would be good to have boaters pass a "rules of the road" test prior to being issued their registration stickers. Perhaps a short written test you mail in with your registration. It's not a license, per se, but it would require that owners / operators know or review the basic rules of the road at least once a year. It would be relatively painless and it might help a little. My two cents worth, (or maybe not worth that much.. Julio Focaracci 1983 Seafarer 30
I have to agree that it would be good to have boaters pass a "rules of the road" test prior to being issued their registration stickers. Perhaps a short written test you mail in with your registration. It's not a license, per se, but it would require that owners / operators know or review the basic rules of the road at least once a year. It would be relatively painless and it might help a little. My two cents worth, (or maybe not worth that much.. Julio Focaracci 1983 Seafarer 30
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Nick
Too Concerned with Poop . . .
I'm not for licensing boaters, there are too many laws already, and it won't change the habits of people who just don't care. Look at our highways . . . What we should do is replace those mandatory "no dumping" decals we must plaster on our boats with decals that instead depict night lighting requirements and rules of the road. Nick "Julia Bell" C-27, #86
I'm not for licensing boaters, there are too many laws already, and it won't change the habits of people who just don't care. Look at our highways . . . What we should do is replace those mandatory "no dumping" decals we must plaster on our boats with decals that instead depict night lighting requirements and rules of the road. Nick "Julia Bell" C-27, #86
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Jose Venegas
Nick imagine the roads if there was no..
driver's licence requirements. I have sailed for 20+ years and started taking the power squadron safe boating course to get my wife and 12 year old son interested. Even with my prior sailing experience, I have picked up new stuff in that course that I did not know. A licence requirement will not remove all irresponsible boaters from the waterways, but will minimize accidents caused by ignorance of the rules.
driver's licence requirements. I have sailed for 20+ years and started taking the power squadron safe boating course to get my wife and 12 year old son interested. Even with my prior sailing experience, I have picked up new stuff in that course that I did not know. A licence requirement will not remove all irresponsible boaters from the waterways, but will minimize accidents caused by ignorance of the rules.
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Tom Monroe
An interesting twist ...
I sail an inland lake, and it's the local sheriff's patrol that monitors safety. I got "pulled over" in the middle of the lake one evening for a safety inspection, and passed quite nicely. I asked the deputy about all the boats with improper use of lights. Get this ... he said the law requires a boat to HAVE the proper lights, but DOES NOT require them to USE to proper lights. Go figure. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
I sail an inland lake, and it's the local sheriff's patrol that monitors safety. I got "pulled over" in the middle of the lake one evening for a safety inspection, and passed quite nicely. I asked the deputy about all the boats with improper use of lights. Get this ... he said the law requires a boat to HAVE the proper lights, but DOES NOT require them to USE to proper lights. Go figure. Tom Monroe Carlyle Lake
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Ron
COLREGS
There are U.S. and International laws that prescribe the rules, safety equipment, and usage -- consult the "COLREGS" document. Many states have additional laws, too. The U.S. Coast Guard is required by U.S. Public Law to enforce those rules on both inland, near-coastal and offshore waters within the U.S. security and economic zones contiguous to the U.S. coastline. Closer to home, state (Fish & Game, Environmental, Police, etc) and local law enforcement (Police, Harbor Master, etc) agencies have some jurisdiction too. Anyone running around out there at night without lights, or displaying improper lights, or in a "manifestly unsafe" manner (day or night) can be nabbed by almost any of those agencies and prosecuted. If a "Coastie" tells you they can't do anything, then he/she is really saying they aren't resourced to do their job. Go complain to your Congressional reps. That said, about all you can do after notifying the authorities of a flagrent violation is to get the offenders boat description, name, hail port, etc. and file a formal complaint. And sail defensively. Personally, I haven't witnessed any of this behavior. I've sailed at night on New England coastal passages and generally only see fishing boats at work out there (usually very brightly lit, too). Now, if you want to discuss those lobster trap floats out there and in the navigation channels, well .... --Ron s/v Lady Jane
There are U.S. and International laws that prescribe the rules, safety equipment, and usage -- consult the "COLREGS" document. Many states have additional laws, too. The U.S. Coast Guard is required by U.S. Public Law to enforce those rules on both inland, near-coastal and offshore waters within the U.S. security and economic zones contiguous to the U.S. coastline. Closer to home, state (Fish & Game, Environmental, Police, etc) and local law enforcement (Police, Harbor Master, etc) agencies have some jurisdiction too. Anyone running around out there at night without lights, or displaying improper lights, or in a "manifestly unsafe" manner (day or night) can be nabbed by almost any of those agencies and prosecuted. If a "Coastie" tells you they can't do anything, then he/she is really saying they aren't resourced to do their job. Go complain to your Congressional reps. That said, about all you can do after notifying the authorities of a flagrent violation is to get the offenders boat description, name, hail port, etc. and file a formal complaint. And sail defensively. Personally, I haven't witnessed any of this behavior. I've sailed at night on New England coastal passages and generally only see fishing boats at work out there (usually very brightly lit, too). Now, if you want to discuss those lobster trap floats out there and in the navigation channels, well .... --Ron s/v Lady Jane
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cole
Whats the point
Did you know that more people drown in pools every year, more so than boaters. I think the last years toll was around 750 boaters. Half of those were PWC's. many of the others died of exposure after falling overboard. Come on people you just arent trying hard enough. I think the colregs say you must display your correct lighting and be visable for some distance.
Did you know that more people drown in pools every year, more so than boaters. I think the last years toll was around 750 boaters. Half of those were PWC's. many of the others died of exposure after falling overboard. Come on people you just arent trying hard enough. I think the colregs say you must display your correct lighting and be visable for some distance.
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jeribelle
plan to be safe and plan for an accident
We had the same problems when we ran the ditch up from Stewart, FL, to Savannah. Our philosophy is that planning for anything disastrous, and being defensive, is much easier than being injured when you're in the right. We never, ever, single-hand, at night. If we are in congested waters, we both stay up top, once everything loose has been secured, and always assume we are going to be waked by the grand-daddy of all wakes. I keep my digital camera up top, ready to go, and have snapped more than a couple of jerks in the act. While it doesn't guarantee a prosecution, it is additional insurance documentation, should we sustain damage from another's wake.
We had the same problems when we ran the ditch up from Stewart, FL, to Savannah. Our philosophy is that planning for anything disastrous, and being defensive, is much easier than being injured when you're in the right. We never, ever, single-hand, at night. If we are in congested waters, we both stay up top, once everything loose has been secured, and always assume we are going to be waked by the grand-daddy of all wakes. I keep my digital camera up top, ready to go, and have snapped more than a couple of jerks in the act. While it doesn't guarantee a prosecution, it is additional insurance documentation, should we sustain damage from another's wake.
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J. Tesoriero
Same thing in New Jersey
We have the same problem here in New Jersey. There are all manner of power and sail boats with no lights, the wrong lights, or too many lights. I even encountered a power boat with the red/green nav lights on the wrong sides. The worst are the BIG power boaters who shine their million+ candle power spotlights right in your face as you are trying to pick out the channel markers. I always give them a special toot and friendly wave.
We have the same problem here in New Jersey. There are all manner of power and sail boats with no lights, the wrong lights, or too many lights. I even encountered a power boat with the red/green nav lights on the wrong sides. The worst are the BIG power boaters who shine their million+ candle power spotlights right in your face as you are trying to pick out the channel markers. I always give them a special toot and friendly wave.
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