Quote:
Originally Posted by Descant
I feel like there was a bit of a leap from a simple question about overnight anchoring to an assumption that there would be inappropriate discharges. Decades ago, when fewer boats had holding tanks, I would have agreed, as did the legislature. In those days, towns (Wolfeboro, Meredith, and the Weirs in particular) encouraged overnight stays at the municipal docks. Good for business, and the boats attracted tourists.
Now, I think everybody is aware of the need to protect our waters and the issue is more one of landowners and boatowners having an appreciation for the desire to use the lakes without harm. The relevant RSA is 270-A.
http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rsa/...XXII-270-A.htm
Overnighting on your boat is a little like camping. Maybe a little cramped, hard to get dry on a rainy day, etc, but fun and a family adventure. If you have a friend with a dock, go for it. If you can tie off a bit so you don't bump against the dock, it will feel like you're at anchor. |
I've overnighted many times at anchor. Overnighting at anchor is not for me, as I always seem to pick a night that has a full moon, which shines into my eyes each time the boat turns on its mooring line.
For me, anyway, it's like having a flashlight turned onto one's face.
But night-anchoring is a hazard to Winnipesaukee navigation, particularly with night-time boaters striking navigation markers and breaking them off—not to mention the many islands becoming impediments to travel—such as Eagle, Rattlesnake, Parker or Diamond—which have been seriously impacted in the dark. Maintaining "Safe Passage" means staying 150-feet from such granite objects, but the darkness changes everything.
You can relate RSAs all day long, but ultimately they are ignored or special interests will see them ripped away: NH has an RSA on disposing of
plastic in the lake, yet we often see bottles or bait containers floating by.
NH
had a boating RSA on excessive exhaust-pipe noise, but that's no longer the case.
While it's possible that Winnipesaukee's many lodging facilities would never feel the pinch from night-anchorers, it's also possible that some at anchor would take the dearth of enforcement during night hours to live aboard their boats all summer.
Getting up with the dawn gives me a special look at Lake Winnipesaukee. Most summer mornings, I'm greeted with a rosy sunrise—
other times—well...night-anchorers have to start their waking hour in their usual manner.