My Senator (Kenney) voted in favor of the bill -- reluctantly -- while saying, "This problem isn't going away". Agreed: Not for "us", not for "them", and not for Don.
While the bill didn't "ban" specific boats as claimed, three Eastern states have prepared legislation that
will. The handwriting is on the wall; however, the good news is that a nighttime speed limit has garnered wide support—even at a certain "non-PC" website frequented by GFBLs.
As usual, debates are a good thing, and some thoughts need expanding:
1) Even NH mandates PFDs on children, but how effective are PFDs at 45+ speeds?
2) Radar
does work on water, but we wouldn't have known that from the debate—here—just a year ago!
3) LFOD is still being tested today by "the freedom to smoke tobacco anywhere I want", "the freedom to 'skim' my snowmobile irrespective of the dangers to rescuers", and "the freedom to steer my car from the passenger footwell if I'm knocked off the roadway by another vehicle".
4) The Coast Guard's accident statistics are still going down, but did anyone research to see what they were before the advent of the Jet-Ski?
Upon their introduction, Jet-Skis established a new high-water mark for boating disaster. Jet-Skier "Education" has likely accounted for the glacial downward trend in
all boating statistics. (Except for New Jersey and Connecticut's educational schemes where they are heading back up).
5) As the owner and sometimes passenger of several GSBQ (Going Slow, Being Quiet) boats, there are just too many occasions where a careless moment becomes an inconvenience for one—and a "lifetime disaster" for another. Perhaps when the MPs get their website ready (still under construction last week), all of us will get an insight into what really is going on "out there", and not have to rely on the scattered reporters of just two newspapers.
6) As the third generation of my family to live on Winnipesaukee, I wish I could
enjoy the lake as my predecessors had. (We never said, "
use" the lake).
Things have changed of course: Boats are made of plastic now, and there's a "bumper-car mentality" that didn't exist when you made your own boat of cedar, mahogany, oak, and molded birch plywood. Fiberglass boats can take a beating, and spring back into shape--sorta. Wood boats, you protected with hyper-vigilance.
Everything is bigger—mansions, gas-consumption, outdoor lighting, PWCs, "graphics", egos, boats, trailers, and the vehicles used to tow them. This year's boat offerings will feature more size, speed, and even-more powerful engines. Unless gasoline hits $10 a gallon (and it's being talked about), this size and power trend will grind into the concerns for our protected waters.
7) In Wolfeboro, Goodhue and Hawkins is now building an immense boat storage warehouse; so don't expect the problem to go away on the "quiet side" of the lake, either.
If nothing else, some targeted boaters now know that they are "on Winnipesaukee probation". Senator Kenney, though officially on the fence, has certainly been made more aware.
A tip-o'-the-hat to Don for enabling the sharing of
all of the concepts of what Lake Winnipesaukee should become.