|
Home | Forums | Gallery | Webcams | Blogs | YouTube Channel | Classifieds | Calendar | Register | FAQ | Donate | Members List | Today's Posts | Search |
|
Thread Tools | Display Modes |
10-07-2004, 09:16 AM | #1 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Merrimack, NH & East Alton, NH
Posts: 65
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
New law for snowmobilers
Just in case any are involved with skimming, beware. Benson signed into law this summer that skimming is illegal in NH unless it is an organized, sanctioned event. The law goes into effect January 1, 2005.
|
10-07-2004, 04:02 PM | #2 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Alton Bay
Posts: 5,547
Blog Entries: 2
Thanks: 2,398
Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts
|
Enforceable????
Unfortunately, it will probably end up being one of the "unenforceable" rules/laws, like 150 inch, I mean foot rule in boating.
__________________
I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!! Last edited by upthesaukee; 10-07-2004 at 09:42 PM. |
10-07-2004, 05:06 PM | #3 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX.
Posts: 3,694
Blog Entries: 3
Thanks: 3,069
Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts
|
The first step, in the right direction.
May not be able to catch e'm all, just a few for starters would be nice. Then word will get around................. I think it's better than Lawlessness.
PS. Great point, upthesaukee!
__________________
trfour Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html Last edited by trfour; 10-07-2004 at 08:04 PM. Reason: spellling, sorry. |
10-07-2004, 06:43 PM | #4 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Dover, NH
Posts: 1,615
Thanks: 256
Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts
|
"Skimming" law...RSA 215-A:5-b
Below is the text of the "anti" skimming law as brought up in this thread by Bubba. As stated, the law becomes effective on January 1st.
TITLE XVIII FISH AND GAME CHAPTER 215-A OFF HIGHWAY RECREATIONAL VEHICLES AND TRAILS Section 215-A:5-b [RSA 215-A:5-b effective January 1, 2005.] 215-A:5-b Operation on Open Water Prohibited. – No person shall knowingly operate a snow traveling vehicle on open water, also known as skimming. For the purpose of this section, "open water" means any area of an inland water body that is free of ice and snow. This section shall not apply to events as permitted pursuant to RSA 215-A:30. Source. 2004, 53:1, eff. Jan. 1, 2005. Last edited by Skip; 10-07-2004 at 07:39 PM. |
10-07-2004, 09:45 PM | #5 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Alton Bay
Posts: 5,547
Blog Entries: 2
Thanks: 2,398
Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts
|
Fines???
Skip, as usual, you have provided us with the actual text wording of the new law.
Any idea as to amount of fine, forfeiture of vehicle, etc.???? Or is that up to the "discretion" of da Judge???
__________________
I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!! |
Sponsored Links |
|
10-07-2004, 10:09 PM | #6 |
Deceased Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: 1/2 way between Boston & Providence
Posts: 573
Blog Entries: 3
Thanks: 32
Thanked 55 Times in 22 Posts
|
Who will enforce this, and how will they do it?
I'm with Upthesaukee, this anti-skimming law IMHO will be very hard to enforce. By the way Upthesaukee, some offshore boaters told me that their safe passage was a 150 millimeter rule
Will the Marine Patrol add snowmobiles and a few extra officers this winter to watch for and catch skimming offenders? Or will the local police be on this patrol and try to catch the skimming law breakers? I've enjoyed (in awe) watching daredevil skimmers during the winter. The skimmers I have observed could easily zip off over the frozen lake in the opposite direction of any approaching police. Do the authorities have an enforcement plan in place? How much resources (manpower and money) will they devote to try to enforce this law? The law might keep a few from skimming but it won't stop skimming. I think it is just a reason to issue a citation to those that fall in the lake. In other words, it will allow for a legal penalty for skimmers that do NOT successfully skim. At least that's how I envision the implementation. Successful skimmers will skim/snowmobile away while those unfortunate ones who fall in kinda lose their transportation and therefore will be the majority of those who get caught. Do you think that this law will significantly deter skimming? Other thoughts/comments?
__________________
Amateur HAM Radio What is it? You'll be surprised. When all else fails Ham Radio still works. Shriners Hospitals providing specialized care for children regardless of ability to pay. Find out more or refer a patient. |
10-08-2004, 08:33 AM | #7 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Merrimack, NH & East Alton, NH
Posts: 65
Thanks: 2
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Unlucky get two fines
I don't know to what method is planned for enforcement. However, you are correct in that the unsuccessful skimmer will get a fine for skimming. That will be in addition to the one they get from the DES for everyday their snowmobile is in the water.
|
10-12-2004, 05:23 AM | #8 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,560
Thanks: 149
Thanked 229 Times in 166 Posts
|
Let the unsuccessful skimmer fend for themselves after they go into the drink. That would be enough of a penalty!
|
10-12-2004, 08:16 AM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Meredith and Nashua, NH
Posts: 47
Thanks: 0
Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post
|
Aid for peer presure?
I think the law will be something a sledder can cling to and avoid be talked into "trying" it. I think Darwin's Law can deal with the rest......
|
10-20-2004, 12:59 PM | #10 |
Junior Member
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 2
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
What about wash outs?
Does that mean if you cross a wash out you will get fined? How about when you have to cross a stream or part of the trail that isn't frozen I see problems with this law already!
|
10-20-2004, 02:04 PM | #11 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Union Wharf, Tuftonboro
Posts: 173
Thanks: 0
Thanked 5 Times in 1 Post
|
The intent of the law is to stop the practice of "skimming". The water depth is sufficiently deep that the sled will not hit the bottom. When you are crossing a wash or unfrozen stream you are definitely on the bottom of the streambed.
|
10-20-2004, 09:02 PM | #12 | |
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX.
Posts: 3,694
Blog Entries: 3
Thanks: 3,069
Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts
|
Quote:
__________________
trfour Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html |
|
01-19-2005, 10:34 AM | #13 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Moultonborough
Posts: 2,836
Thanks: 326
Thanked 1,626 Times in 562 Posts
|
I'm a believer in "Live and let live" but skimming presents a danger to others as well.Many people ,especially tourists on rentals,who don't know the area,follow the tracks of others thinking they'll be safe on the lake.Imagine a family driving right into open water thinking they were on a safe trail.
|
01-22-2005, 10:47 AM | #14 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Piscataway, NJ
Posts: 1,030
Thanks: 2
Thanked 46 Times in 24 Posts
|
PFD required?
Is skimming allowable as long as you wear a Coast Guard Approved PFD?
|
01-22-2005, 08:39 PM | #15 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Moultonboro, NH
Posts: 1,657
Blog Entries: 1
Thanks: 342
Thanked 618 Times in 278 Posts
|
So far, so good
The law seems to be working. I haven't seen fool-tracks through the narrows where the skimmers usually go. Has anyone seen skimming tracks anywhere? Hopefully, skimming has lost its cool factor.
__________________
-lg |
01-23-2005, 08:12 PM | #16 |
Member
Join Date: Apr 2004
Posts: 29
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
|
Skimming
So much for the new law. The snowmobilers started on the lake here in the Bear Island channel today and already several have skimmed across the open water by our ice eaters. No way to catch them on film as they come at so fast a speed no time to get a picture.
|
01-28-2005, 01:59 PM | #17 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cow Island
Posts: 914
Thanks: 602
Thanked 193 Times in 91 Posts
|
new tracks
Looks like there are tracks on the Wiers web cam, so looks like someone's still doing it.
|
02-03-2005, 05:05 PM | #18 |
Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Alton Bay
Posts: 5,547
Blog Entries: 2
Thanks: 2,398
Thanked 1,918 Times in 1,061 Posts
|
Ouch!!!!!!!
Check out this story in the Granite State times:
http://www.granitestatenews.com/ Good thing he was wearing a helmut...Good thing those kids were there...Can't wait to see the fine... let's see if they have a "smiley" for this one (at least this could be called "an accident")
__________________
I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!! |
Bookmarks |
|
|