I am curious to find out how many boaters out there think that the no wake zone at the point begins on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. I saw multiple people plowing through the no wake zone this past Sunday rocking all of the boats tied up to the wall at PNC Park. I said something to one of the boaters and he told me "It ends on Labor Day!". I told him that he was wrong and needed to read the sign that is posted on the bridge pier. As long as I can remember, it has been from May 1st through October 1st like the sign says.
Last edited by Cableguy Greg; 09-21-2009 at 04:21 PM.
Reason: Added photo
Being a newbie I drove up close to that sign the end of April and was surprised to read that it did not end Labor day.
Chuck
Originally Posted by Cableguy Greg
I am curious to find out how many boaters out there think that the no wake zone at the point begins on Memorial Day and ends on Labor Day. I saw multiple people plowing through the no wake zone this past Sunday rocking all of the boats tied up to the wall at PNC Park. I said something to one of the boaters and he told me "It ends on Labor Day!". I told him that he was wrong and needed to read the sign that is posted on the bridge pier. As long as I can remember, it has been from May 1st through October 1st like the sign says.
Is the sign at the West End Bridge different? I may have mis read, but thought it said ends labor day? I noted everyone going slow so I radioed my friend who also thought it ended Labor Day, someone else answered for us. Not sure if all the signs read the same as we thought the same thing.
the last 2 sundays we watched boats flying thru the no wake the best was a boat pulling a skier. they also seem to be the same idiots plowing 25' from our docks on there way to peggys to refuel.
I recall me "yelling" about the Pittsburgh 250 fireworks and boats throwing wakes and was reminded that it ended in Oct when I thought it still continued during the day of the show. So as typical (I hope), I go the other way and be over cautious.
Elaborate, please. What is a "boater" in your eyes?
sure...includes but not limited too;
1. Knowing what the term "stand on" means.
2. Spent some time reading a nautical operation manual of their choosing.
3. Understand what no wake means
4. Doesn't operate a boat at full throttle 25 feet off someones marina
5. Knows proper safety distances during operation
6. KNows at least basic rules of road.
7. Has concern for other boaters.
8. Doesn't "plow" boat and think he is obeying no wake restriction.
9. Doesn't have to be told that its a bad idea to cause a wake when fellow boaters are;
A) tied to a concrete wall with other boaters rafted
B) trying to launch or recover from a ramp
C) recovering a skier.
D) trying to dock
10) Can dock their boat without help from a small army
11) can safely navigate around other boats
12) Actually uses the knowledge they learned when getting their PWC license.
13) KNows what a "Documented" boat is
14) Gets a safety inspection
15) Has clean flame arrestors
16) Doesn't pump head into river
17) Doesnt let guests throw trash in river
18) Doesnt think he'she is only boater on water
19) Doesnt tie up at a private dock to go to crows nest
20) Knows No wake limits in city
21) Can fully operate THEIR boat.
22) Isnt drunk
23) Teaches guests their repsonsibilities when docking, under power, etc BEFORE they leave the dock.
24) Shows guests where life jackets, fire extinguishers, emergency radio, etc is before leaving dock.
25) makes sure someone beside capt can operate vessel.
Is that a pretty good start???? I would say 10% of boaters fit this description....
Seems like mostly common sense stuff to me. I disagree with a few of them, but I certainly agree that the boating world would be better if more people used common sense and followed the rules of the road.
If you really love boating then you love your boat, if it is brand new or 30 years old, if it is 14 foot or 40 and you dont want anything to happen to it or the people on board. And in turn you should appreciate other boaters and not want to damage their boats...the last part is where a majority of boaters are missing out..
Dont be the guy at your marina that yells at people for waking.. and then pull out and wake yourself..
Nitsuj...would be interested to know which you dont agree with...and yes it is common sense but it is unfortunately uncommon on our waterways....
I mean no disrespect. And I'm not trying to be argumentative. When I say I don't agree with some them, I just mean in their usage to set "boaters" apart from "boat owners". None of what you listed is something I disagree with on it's own merits. All are things every boat owner should know, or adhere to.
I mean no disrespect. And I'm not trying to be argumentative. When I say I don't agree with some them, I just mean in their usage to set "boaters" apart from "boat owners". None of what you listed is something I disagree with on it's own merits. All are things every boat owner should know, or adhere to.
I didnt think u were trying to argue...just wondered which didnt make sense....no problem....I think we all can agree that we need some kind of solution to the bad boater issue.....i think BP should really look into having a place on this site where violaters can be listed....
Dont be the guy at your marina that yells at people for waking.. and then pull out and wake yourself..
This reminds me of the guys in the Dashields Pool. They pussyfoot around the marina and then wake every boat up or down stream as though these aren't protected under the same laws as any other boat at mooring.
The worst time is when people are going to or coming from fireworks night or a Steeler game, leapfrogging around each other. Especially now, when the pool is low, it doesn't take much to create a two foot wake.
And I've seen boaters give a downed skier less than 50 feet clearance. Do these idiots have any idea where the tow line is?
Bottom line: Show all boats the same respect that you'd want to be shown yours. Boating isn't a p*ssing contest.
I didnt think u were trying to argue...just wondered which didnt make sense....
It was less about not making sense, and more about some of them may not be willful violations as much as newbie mistakes. Like not knowing that you shouldn't wake past a marina. Sure, it's bad manners, but it's not technically a no wake zone, legally. So a newbie could make that mistake. Ditto for needing more than one person to dock a boat. A new guy might need extra help. Or knowing what a Documented Boat is. If someone hasn't been boating long and never owned anything over say 20 feet, the knowledge of documentation and it's process is of little use. I guess I was just playing devils advocate and being a little optimistic thinking that some people are just new, and not jerks.
But after thinking about it, you're probably closer to correct than I am. There are a lot of jerks out there.
It was less about not making sense, and more about some of them may not be willful violations as much as newbie mistakes. Like not knowing that you shouldn't wake past a marina. Sure, it's bad manners, but it's not technically a no wake zone, legally.
Unfortunately, not true. Any boat at mooring, downed skiers and certain boats not under power are all considered no wake zones, legally, whether it is posted or not. If you are under 100 feet, it can be subject to law enforcement action (though law enforcement are some of the worst offenders). Over 100 feet, and it is civil action, solely.
Bottom line is that you are liable for any wake damage that you cause no matter how far away you are or whether it is a posted no wake zone. That includes marinas, boats at private docks or boats moored in the middle of the river.
Unfortunately, not true. Any boat at mooring, downed skiers and certain boats not under power are all considered no wake zones, legally, whether it is posted or not.
I should have worded that differently. I meant that legally, so long as you maintain legal distance, it's not a no wake zone. But as you point out, that doesn't prevent one from being liable for damages from their wakes. My point was, a new boater, while staying outside the minimum distance and remaining legal, may not know that he's breaching etiquette. Some people are just jerks.
Like the guy in the fishing boat Saturday night who dropped his buddies off at the dock to get the truck on the Southside ramp. While he waited for them to back the truck down, I watched as he chased ducks with his boat. At full throttle, right off the end of the ramp. He was turning and zig zagging to try and catch a duck. Made a heck of a wake at the ramp. Luckily, no one was trying to unload at the time. He came awfully close to my boat though as we idled past.
No wake...
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Cableguy Greg
