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LAKE HOPATCONG YACHT CLUB BOATING SAFETY PAGE
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LHYC BOATING SAFETY COURSE - SATURDAY, JUNE 7 - OPEN TO NON-MEMBERS |
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This Week's Boating Safety Tip |
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Who Knows Where You Are It is a beautiful time of year - the air is warm, the lake is cool, boat traffic is light. One of the best times to be on the water is also the most dangerous . Carry a cell phone with you at all times - for sailors, there are now water-tight packets for cell phones - and make sure someone knows where you are, and when you are expecting to return. Where a PDF. A few moments of forethought can solves hours of angst, and a potential tragedy. |
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New Jersey State Police Marine Security Initiative - IT WORKS!! The purpose of this program is to empower the local private and corporate waterfront community with the knowledge and ability to assist law enforcement. Civilians can assist by identifying observed criminal or terrorist behaviors, and alerting law enforcement. This information is then entered into the Statewide Intelligence Management System (SIMS). The SIMS database is used to collect and share information on suspected involvement in all types of criminal activity. SIMS allows agencies to store intelligence for their own use or for the use of the broader law enforcement community. Click on the logo for more information on this program. [Webmaster note: This program has already proven helpful to boaters, as a boat parts theft ring in southern New Jersey was discovered, investigated, and eliminated through the use of SIMS. Further, the observation of criminal activity and alerting of law enforcement by a civilian resulted in arrests and the recovery of a stolen outboard engine on Lake Hopatcong.] |
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NEW BOATING RULES REQUIRE SAFETY CERTIFICATES OF ALL OPERATORS |
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New rules to be enforced this year require all boat operators to take and pass a New Jersey approved boating safety course. Operators will be required to have passed a course according to the following schedule: |
| Persons born June 1, 1959 or later must have a certificate by June 1, 2007 |
| Persons born June 1, 1949 or later must have a certificate by June 1, 2008 |
| All operators must have a safety certificate by June 1, 2009 |
| There is an test-out option for operators born prior to June, 1, 1979 who have more than 100 hours of operating experience. Visit the New Jersey State Police Marine Division Website for more information. |
LAKE HOPATCONG RULES QUIZ
Lake Hopatcong can get a little crazy at times. Surprisingly, compared to many lakes around the country, it is one of the safest. Safety comes from common courtesy, knowing the rules of boating, and knowing the rules specific to Lake Hopatcong. For example, see if you can answer the following correctly:
1) Is there a no-wake rule in Byram Cove on the weekends?
2) How many skiers can be pulled behind a boat at one time?
3) What is the speed limit on Lake Hopatcong?
4) Are jet skis allowed to jump wakes?
5) Are you required to wear a life jacket?
See the answers below. Hit the links below to see the rules. But remember, safe boating is really just common sense. Be courteous to both boaters and residents, and everyone will enjoy the lake more. For example, slow down when you are going through a race course in a motorboat, and sailors will slow down when you are anchored! (But remember: sail always has right of way over power!) Also note that more than 80% of boating accidents nationwide occur when at least one driver is intoxicated. Just like on land, do not drink and drive!!
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Answers:
1) There is not a no-wake rule in Byram Cove. However, you are required to operate your boat safely, and in consideration of other boaters, and particularly around swimmers. In areas with heavy "rafting" of boats and many boats anchored, you are required to consider the safety of others, which would include operating with a minimal wake near anchored boats. So on your typical Sunday afternoon, you would be violating the safe operating statute, not the speed statutes, by operating your vessel with a large wake.
2) The Lake Hopatcong rules allow a maximum of two skiers on weekends. The NJ Boating Statutes define a water-skiing as anything being towed with a rider except for another boat. Therefore tubes and other inflatables are limited to two people on weekends.
3) The speed limit is 30 mph on weekends from sunrise to sunset, unless an area is designated 5 mph by state buoys. At night the speed limit is always 10 mph.
4) No craft is allowed to have its entire hull out of the water at any time. This includes jet skis.
5) The state requires that you have a PFD aboard for each person on board. Further, all persons 12 and under must be wearing the PFD when the boat is underway. However, we can cite numerous instances wear lives were saved because all aboard were wearing llife jackets. We recommend in particular that any child under 14, and all non-swimmers wear a PFD at all times. Further, at least one adult swimmer should be wearing a PFD in case of a need to rescue a non-swimmer - crucial seconds could be lost in finding and putting on a PFD, and you should never attempt a rescue without wearing a PFD.
