Lake Martin Topics: Boating Bill Editorial Comment

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	Name:	Carnac -
	Subject:	Boating Bill Editorial Comment
	Date:	4/14/2006 5:02:41 AM

That was a very thoughtful editorial and I have to admit that I agree with most of its content. My major disagreement is that I believe that this bill will result in increased safety. For all practical puposes there will be no meaningful measureables because so much depends on the proficiency, experience, and intent of the captain of a vessel. Regardless of boat length. Whether there is a law or not there will be eventual overcrowding. We can't stop that but we can slow the pace of overcrowding. We can also reduce the potential for accidents, injuries, and death.

What you cigarette boat types can't grasp, or more accurately refuse to grasp, is that there is a widely shared belief that the extreme high speeds (100 mph and more) we've seen all of you run from time to time is going to become a huge problem for some of our unfortunate members. We don't know how proficient you are or how concerned you are with our well being. We only know that there is a greatly reduced amount of reaction time.

I've assisted in piloting large boats through America's river systems. While we were constantly on the lookout for barges, flotsam, and all sizes of pleasure craft there were times when several of us on the bridge sometimes didn't immediately recognize the proximity of small boats. Because we always erred on the side of extreme caution (reduced speeds) we never had a near miss but there were some times when our wake caused significant anxiety for those poor folks. My point here is that we are all human and subject to some distraction from time to time. That, my friend, is when most accidents happen. Extreme high speeds coupled with the possibility of momentary distraction will, eventually, equal disaster.

The bill had its roots in property development on Lake Harris but most of us immediately recognized the opportunities that a law banning certain types of boats would bring. And we jumped on it like a duck on a junebug. We came out in great numbers to e-mail and phone our legislators urging their support of the bill. We weren't going to be the silent majority on this issue.

One of the posters on this forum speculated whether the high speed crowd considered the possibility that they have brought this upon themselves. I think he's on to something but I'm certain that y'all won't see it that way.

I hate that things have come to this but Cigarette boats are our sacrificial anode.