Unsafe Boating - the real issue

[JohnNH]

As many of you are aware, I am a Bass fisherman and operate a high perfomance Bass Boat as well as a couple of other types of water craft.

I have inserted a copy of the text I posted on the site most frequently visited by Bass Anglers in the Northeast (www.nesportsman.com)
This is the message I posted:

In the past months there has been a great deal of posting on many sites regarding speed limits and opinions. Some of the issues discussed have been the NIMBY approach, some have defended bass boats, others have discussed the big motor go fast off shore type boats. There have been posts on some sites about big wakes = most of us know that the faster boats leave hardly any wake when on plane. Those that have smaller boats and take a beating from the big wakes are also targeting the go fast boats and clearly don't understand where the wakes are really coming from.

Now that the public hearing is behind us, the facts remain a bit cloudy. It's apparent that those who support speed limits have no real proof or grounds to impose the rules. Those that oppose the rules have many strong points.

Perhaps we should take a stand and consider approaching the legislature with some real recommendations that make sense.

The NH Marine Patrol has very limited funding and therefore, can't enforce the rules that already exist - at least not effectively. When you consider that the boat population on most of the big lakes (especially Winni) has more than doubled in the past 10 years and the Marine Patrol has increased a small percentage in the same period - the scale is way off balance. I am not proposing that we have a Marine Patrol boat around every corner, but there will never be an end to the issues until the patrol boats become more visible & effective.

The key issues that most of those who want a speed limit really boils down to unsafe passage issues. If marine patrol had funding to support a sufficient amount of enforcement officers, they would be better equipped to address the unsafe passage issue more effectively.

I don't care what type of watercraft your operating (Bass Boats included), if your on plane withing 150' of anything (another boat, shore, swim raft, etc.) your the guilty party.

We could go on forever casting blame on boat types and questioning the validity of those who support the request for a speed limit. This will make some of us feel better, but, nothing beneficial will come of it.

I think that our Bass fishing organizations(NEBA of NH, NH Bass Fed, MA Bass Fed, NBS, etc.) have sufficient constituents as well as a voice in Concord that is strong enough to propose a realistic solution to the issues.

A successful plan always includes 3 basic components: Problem (unsafe boaters), Solution (More effective law enforcement) and Benefit (a safer water body for all to enjoy as well as a reduction in accidents and environmental damages caused by improper boat operation).

Looking forward to your comments,

John/NH