[Airwaves]

I figured Islander/Island Lover/Bear Islander would use that article.

In fact that article used national figures and the stats are from the New England states that DON'T require boating education. While the article did reveal those facts it was poorly written and easily missed.

Here are the boating accidents for Lake Winnipesaukee in 2006, the year the article used statistics from.

2006 Fatals/Boating Accidents, Lake Winnipesaukee as reported in media

4/03/06 Canoe Capsized. 1 arrested, BWI
6/10/06 24’ Powerboat hits Eagle Island, 1 arrested, BWI
7/04/06 24’ Rental powerboat aground on rocks, Stonedam Island, 1 arrested, BWI
7/13/06 Cabin Cruiser fire, Fay’s Boatyard, no injuries
7/21/06 27’ Cabin Cruiser fire during refueling at Weirs Beach, 2 rescued.
8/05/06 Drowning, man swimming from boat off Rattlesnake Island, 1 dead
8/05/06 Drowning, man swimming from boat off Varney Point, 1 dead
8/13/06 Boat hit by waves, woman injured by fall (location not reported)
8/13/06 Boat towing tube, tube hit big wake, 1 woman injured (location not reported)
10/03/06 20’ Powerboat ran aground on Hurricane Island, Tuftonboro, 1 arrested, BWI
10/28/06 230’ M/S Mount Washington, man overboard. Missing presumed drowned.

So to review: 4 alcohol related accidents
3 non-boat accident related drownings
2 fires
2 injuries while boating due to waves
3 boat groundings (all alcohol related)

Number of deaths on Lake Winnipesaukee in 2006: 3
Number of speed related accidents on Lake Winnipesaukee in 2006: ZERO
Number of speed related deaths on Lake Winnipesaukee in 2006 : ZERO

These stats were compiled by me using various media reports throughout the year and I broke out the figures for ONLY Winnipesaukee.

No stats from NH, where mandatory boating education is required for all but a few, were used in the article. The focus of the article was on the three states in New England where boater education is not mandated.

And, as a reference point. Massachusetts, which does not have a mandatory boater education law, does have a 45 mile an hour speed limit. What do marine law enforcement officials have to say?

"If you have the money, you can buy the toy," said Gloucester Harbormaster James Caulkett. He is vice president of the Massachusetts Harbormasters Association, which is pushing legislation that would require boaters to pass a safety course.

Yep, Massachusetts has a speed limit but what they want is a mandatory boater education requirment. Interesting.

Also on the wish list:

The Massachusetts Environmental Police says it has 100 officers to patrol waterways from the Berkshires to Cape Cod.

"There is never enough," said Captain George Agganis of the Massachusetts Environmental Police. "Our numbers really need to increase on coastal areas."

So the border state that has what WinnFabs wants, speed limits, wants what NH has, mandatory boater education.