[MAXUM]

Originally Posted by Epic Seaplane Adventures

Hi everyone. I want to clear the air about a lot of misinformation going around. I choose to do it here because on other forums people like to hide behind screen names and push false narratives. Please if anyone needs anything just call me up! Maybe I can take you for a ride!
1. I have started a small part time business called Epic Seaplane Adventures. I did this mostly because of the pandemic and needed a backup plan in case my real job went away. I have given so many rides in my plane people have always suggested that I charge for them, so I started the process of getting it running. I don't plan on interrupting my "lake life" but if you want an "air tour" I'm getting a website up and going. You could make a reservation and I can come to you if you have a private dock and I've been looking around for places (such as the Tuftonboro Town Dock) to be able to pick you up from. I can also do it from my place as well. So it's not specific, we just need to have the conversation, but can do it from anywhere really.
2. The woman who owns the Pier 19 Marketplace has been great! She is very enthusiastic about attracting business to her place. She and I put a proposal to the town to make the Public Dock Posts lower to allow, not just my plane, but any seaplane to approach safely without fear of hitting our tail on the dock. Also, we proposed adding some cushioning to the dock on the North Side. Doing this will then make the dock a more useful spot, not just for planes but for boats too. Contrary to the narrative being pushed this business will not be attached to Pier 19 Market Place. Just because she is helping promote it doesn't make it true. No one is going to set up shop on the dock, period end of story.
3. As you can imagine this has created a lot of buzz, especially for people who don't understand that seaplanes are legal here and allowed to land wherever it is safe. New Hampshire is not like other states and we are proud of that! I've heard everything from you can't block the fire boat to you can't use the dock for commercial purposes. Blocking the fireboat is not an issue because pilots can move the planes (they would never be left unattended and can be spun very quickly so their wing doesn't go over the dock see the photo) and commercial barges use the docks all the time for various reasons. Even the town puts a dumpster on the pier from time to time. (see photos of the town dock being blocked for commercial purposes and for private purposes as well)
4. There is a huge misconception that there is a seaplane "base" being developed in 19 Mile Bay. "Base" is a very scary word to the lay person. I can assure you it's only a specific FAA term. This was caused because the owner of Pier 19 Market Place, did what anyone can, (it's what I did with Mirror Lake and others have done such as Winter Harbor) and applied to the state and FAA (free of charge) to have 19 Mile Bay surveyed and registered as a Seaplane Landing Area. This does nothing more than allow 19 Mile Bay to be listed on an aviation chart and databases so that pilots can file flight plans to and from for safety reasons. So this outrage over a "base" is hyperbolic.
5. I invite anyone to get ahold of me to talk about this "business", more like a tax right off, that I can now charge people for taking rides! I can assure all of you that there is zero intention of making 19 Mile Bay an international airport. Let's all stop the panic now.
6. I have had some very disturbing ugly "threats" toward me. Some have stated that they will "block me" or any other planes from landing due to the right of way laws (because landing planes must technically give way to all vessels on the water). Some have come up with ideas of forming a blockade on the water or zig zagging in front of the landing plane to stop them. I want people to know that operating in a manner that jeopardizes safety intentionally to disrupt or harm someone is illegal and it's just not nice. If you have ever been over to Mirror Lake or know anyone over there, just come over and talk to us. They can tell you how much fun it is and how we all get along and operate safely.
7. There is a group of home owners on 19 Mile Bay that is forming an opposition to the idea of seaplanes coming in and out. Let's not name call them, but there is an acronym for this called NIMBY (stands for NOT IN MY BACKYARD). These folks are rallying support by spreading false information. If you run into them or are one of them feel free to get ahold of me to discuss this issue. I'm open to all comments. Each time I run into someone and discuss this issue with them the always walk away with a completely different idea of what they originally were told was happening. These people without the proper information are already talking about boycotting the Pier 19 Store! It's amazing how emotion and misinformation gets people upset. In this day and age of the internet people just look for reasons to be upset!
8. I grew up here and love this town. I'm a local guy. I can assure you that I'm not going to ruin anything or destroy what we all love. When I operate I do it with respect and love for this area and will continue to do so everyday. We need to be respectful of everyone. We all need equal access and treatment. That is all we are asking for! If people can block the dock for loading and unloading their stuff to go to the island, I just ask for the same access. (see photos) If commercial barges can come to the dock and do it for hire, I just ask for the same treatment and access. (see photos) Nothing more nothing less.
9. Lastly, to people who just openly don't want airplanes here, I'm not throwing this in your face at all, but the reality is that they are perfectly legal and there is nothing you can do about it. This is not a fight you will win. You do not own the lake, it's the state's property and seaplanes, just like your boat, have a right to come here. Again, this isn't a fight, it's a fact. It's a non arguable.
10. I ask for your support. Please email the selectman (selectmen@tuftonboro.org) to show support to allow us to lower the dock posts (see conceptual picture attached) and add cushioning to the dock at NO COST TO THE TAX PAYER. We will not alter the dock to change it's use in any way. In fact, we will improve it so that even more boaters can access it. Keep in mind that even if the dock posts don't get lowered that it will not prevent seaplanes from coming here. (see the photo of it there, notice the dock posts)
I'm sure some of you will have questions. I come on here in good faith. Please ask away! Nothing ugly. I accept hard questions. I just think this is a better forum than other forums where you can hide behind screen names.
Thank you all for your time.
T.R. Wood
Epic Seaplane Adventures
603-724-9104

I got no dog in this fight however I am empathetic to the plight of those who are directly affected by your proposed use of 19 mile bay. Sadly you do not appear to be.

1 - I have no problems with you establishing a small business, in fact I applaud anyone who does and is successful at it. So kudos to you for effort. Your execution is where the problem lies. Whether or not you are from the area, grew up in the area or have a self proclaimed love of the area does not take away from the fact you are operating a business that impacts an area where other citizens are impacted negatively. Their opposition to you operating in the area on a regular basis to me seems reasonable. While you and many others may not relate to their concerns to disregard them as some how misguided or full of misinformation is simply wrong and quite sad.

2- The woman who owns the pier 19 store is quickly gaining a reputation as being unreasonable and hostile, especially towards the pier 19 slip owners. This has resulted in altercations which have included calls to the police, damage done to association assets and a failure to follow or even acknowledge bylaws set forth by the very association the store is legally tied to. This likely will result in a court battle. Being associated with a business operator like this does not give you a very good public perception.

3 - Just because NH is a sea plane friendly place does not mean it is appropriate to just land wherever and disturb whoever just because you "can". That sort of attitude is not gaining you any favor with those that oppose your business venture, much like the pier 19 store owner, being at odds with others is one thing, to flaunt it as "I have the legal right to do so" is just going to further enrage the opposition and create more problems for you. It's amazing you don't see this. However roll the dice as one thing you may find out, property owners, especially lake front owners may themselves be lawyers, or fellow pilots, and have lots of connections that if leveraged could create a whole lot of expensive litigation for you - enough to sink your business.

4 - I do agree the term sea plane base seems to infer something a bit more substantial than what you are proposing, seems that some education is needed there for those who stand in opposition.

5 - the reason or business model you are engaging in is basically irrelevant. I don't think anyone is seriously suggesting you are creating an international airport!

6 - There is no need for and I certainly do not condone threats of any kind. However if boaters do choose to stack the docks with boats, park or hang out in a proposed landing area that too is their right to do so - to suggest otherwise is in your words preventing equal access and discriminatory.

7 - I refer back to the aforementioned, if there are those who are directly impacted by this looking to stand in solidarity against your proposal that is their right to do so. It is up to you to figure out a way to ease their concerns or face an uphill battle with folks that again are likely to create a whole lot of problems for you. They have every right to also not to patronize the pier 19 store and likely have good reason to beyond operating your business. Nobody is obligated to use it.

8 - Again you are asking for more than equal access - you are asking for the pier to be modified especially for YOU. No other users of the pier give a damn how long the posts are.

9 - Your tone here is classic, "I'm not throwing this in your face...." but you are. In a matter of fact I don't care attitude. This is not winning you any further support, instead it is turning more folks against your idea. If you don't think this can be stopped, better think again. No rafting and no wake zones at one point didn't exist either and do now. No landing zones I can see coming if you're not careful here.

10 - after all that you are looking for support, well I can tell you support will come once you start spending your energy on finding ways to work with those that stand in opposition and not by further enraging them by saying I'm doing this and there isn't anything you can do about it. You may just find with enough people on board and money behind it, something can and will be done about it.

This goes beyond altering the dock and has everything to do with creating yet another major disturbance in the general area on a regular basis. Understand that your passion for flying may not be shared with others. Just as my passion for shooting is not shared by others and as such the noise I create I am very much aware of and thus try to find places where it will not disturb others even though legally I could shoot right in my back yard so long as I am 300 feet away from an occupied residence. Just because I can and well within my legal rights to do so on my OWN property doesn't mean I do. Having a little common courtesy will go a long way as I see the nay sayers growing in numbers and volume.

Good luck in your endeavors.