To all of our old and new members here, please have a happy 4th but please be very smart and very safe out there. We have all seen the video of the boater on Lake St Cliar, anger and alcohol. Today I read that 6pp, all boaters, have passed away on the Chesapeake Bay since Saterday. Two just yesterday morning when they went JetSking at 2am and hit a marker, no life jackets. Your paddle craft does no need a life jacket, the person on it does! It's amazing how fast the wind and the current will take one of those away from its owner.
If you have to drink, drink on the hook or at the dock. Wait for the idiots to get out of the anchorage after the fireworks. If you've done some or little night runs, slow down and have your head on a swivel. Use your radar if you have it, charts and plotter but remember your eyes and brain work the best. We have all added LED lighting to our cockpits, dim it down or cut it off while underway.There is no need to rush. Many paddle boaters seem to think it's fine to go out at night and none have any lights at all. Be ready to be boarded, officers will be out in full force. Have all paperwork ready, all in one place. Be nice to the officers, they are just doing a job. If your boat isn't in order it's not their fault.
Be safe and come back to tell us about you boating day
If you have to drink, drink on the hook or at the dock. Wait for the idiots to get out of the anchorage after the fireworks. If you've done some or little night runs, slow down and have your head on a swivel. Use your radar if you have it, charts and plotter but remember your eyes and brain work the best. We have all added LED lighting to our cockpits, dim it down or cut it off while underway.There is no need to rush. Many paddle boaters seem to think it's fine to go out at night and none have any lights at all. Be ready to be boarded, officers will be out in full force. Have all paperwork ready, all in one place. Be nice to the officers, they are just doing a job. If your boat isn't in order it's not their fault.
Be safe and come back to tell us about you boating day
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