Thin Ice Signs

[frank m.]

I'm wondering if anyone knows where I can find out the exact requirements for a "Danger, Thin Ice" sign, as required around circulators according to RSA 270:33. the statute gives some requirements, but then vaguely says "the department of safety is hereby authorized to establish said unique design and coloring and any homemade copies shall follow this design and coloring". but the dept of safety site does not give any specifics.

[WeirsBeachBoater]

I know Heath's in Center Harbor had them and most dock supply stores. I think they must be red with a white diamond shape and read DANGER THIN ICE......

[RLW]

If you happen to be closer to the other end of the big lake, Alton has their signs up on the public docks. A tape measure will give you all the info your looking for. Last year the Alton Lumber yard was selling the signs also.

[DRH]

In past years I've seen them for sale at Irwin Marine also.

[Grant]

A lovely spokesmodel (NOT!) demonstrates proper Thin Ice signage after a spring plunge...

http://www.pbase.com/gfevans/image/28968977

[SIKSUKR]

Wow! Your a hearty guy Grant.The water temp was 57 degrees if that date on the photo was correct. SS

[Seaplane Pilot]

I believe that you must also notify the town in which you reside about the thin ice sign.

[Grant]

Wow! Your a hearty guy Grant.The water temp was 57 degrees if that date on the photo was correct. SS

The date is correct, and the water was indeed cold, but that's not me -- that's my brother. My plunge was documented, and the water temp reflected in my curled toes -- http://www.pbase.com/gfevans/image/28968490

:eek:

[Senter Cove Guy]

I've been keeping a log of my annual first and last Winni swim dates for a few years now. This year my first was May 16th and the last was Oct 23rd. The last swim is always when I swim under my boat and brush the bottom down an hour or so before it comes out of the lake. Makes cleaning & waxing in the spring so much easier. I should have worn my wetsuit but didn't. Next year, if I again wait until the end of Oct. to clean the boat bottom, you bet I will be wearing it.

[Grant]

The air temp on May 14th was at a summer-like level. We were working in woods, which required long pants, long sleeves and hats to protect against black flies. We must've sweated off a good five pounds and so would've jumped in for a swim that day even if there were ice floes!

Judging from the calendar, I think we'll make the annual first plunge on about the same date in '05. Can't wait.

Brrrrrrrr indeed.

[DRH]

I believe that you must also notify the town in which you reside about the thin ice sign.
That's right, you need to get an aquatherm permit from your local Town Clerk's office if you will be maintaining open water around your dock, etc., during the winter. The fee is 50 cents each year for the permit! (No fooling!!)

[Rattlesnake Gal]

Grant, your photos are great! You and Senter Cove Guy’s account of swimming in the frigid water really made me chuckle. Gone are the days when you would see me jump in at those temps!
Both of you have excellent avatars too!
Woth a look:
Flight Corner (http://cardiogeek.com/) click on Lake Winnipesaukee - then on the photo "hole in the ice." The one right beside it, "huts on the ice," is pretty funny too. :laugh:
Scuba Diving In Cold Waters Of New England (http://www.liard.com/SCUBA/thumb/Lake%20Winnipesaukee%20Line%20Tenders-0x0.shtml)

[Grant]

Actually, Senter Cove Guy and I have gone diving together a number of times. His avatar picture was taken in the Lake; mine was taken in a quarry down here in Pennsyltuckey. He's practically a neighbor on the Lake, and is there every weekend -- so he's really the most reliable dive buddy I have. He's also one of those rare Lakers who can navigate the area around Bizer rock without a chart or a bow-spotter!

And, yes, I've seen the pictures of that guy diving the Lake in winter. It's most notable in that the guy is wearing 7mm "farmer john" wet suit -- the same sort of thing most of us wear when diving Winnipesaukee in the summer. I've done some dives in mid-40s water wearing such a suit, and I wasn't too bad (I have a high tolerance for cold water). The bad part is any exposed facial skin -- THAT's where you feel it. :eek:

[Rattlesnake Gal]

You aren’t kidding about feeling it. This past spring we were having trouble settling the dock. I put on my new wet suit and jumped in the water. It wasn't too bad just swimming around. The killer was when I went under. I had everything covered, but my head. Talk about an instant ice-cream headache. Wow does that hit hard and fast! I can guarantee that I won’t be making that mistake again.
Maybe we can find a deal at the boat show on a suit for one of the boys. They can do the all the cold water diving. I’m too much of a wimp!

[GWC...]

This is what MP uses...

http://www.winnipesaukee.com/photopost/data/510/9DSC02524-1024.jpg