Go Home Lake Cottage Owners' Association

Boat Safety:

It is the responsibility of all of us to ensure a safe and fun boating environment on Go Home Lake. If you are a new or inexperienced boater, please ensure you have a boat license, know the Safe Boating Regulations, Acts and Codes that are applicable to our water system and familiarize yourself with basic boat operation (see below for some collision regulation examples). One of the rules governing the operation of a boat is that “every vessel is responsible for the effects of its wake”. Boat operators must therefore ensure that the wake of their vessel does not endanger nearby vessels or cause property damage to passing vessels and docking. The wake from our boats is of particular concern to us on Go Home Lake. We are asking that you exercise caution and good judgment when navigating through narrow channels, when passing moored boats, docking structures, smaller crafts such as fishing boats and canoes, water skiers and swimmers. Understand the displacement of your vessel at varying speeds and when to adjust to your speed in order to minimize your wake. For example, the displacement speedis the slowest speed for most motorboats and creates the least wake. This is where the boat’s bow is sitting at it’s lowest point in the water. The transition speed occurs when you increase power in an attempt to get on plane (or subsequently, reduce speed coming off plane) the bow rises causing the stern to plow through the water. This speed creates the largest wake, burns the most fuel and provides the operator with the least amount of control over their vessel. Finally, at planing speed, the bow drops back down and only a little of of the hull contacts the water. This speed creates considerably less wake than at transition speed. To summarize, based on the conditions at hand, it can be safer and less damaging to keep on plan than to drop into transition speed. Also keep in mind that proper use of your trim can optimize the effectiveness of your boat riding on plane and reduce your time in transition speed thus minimizing your wake.

Collision Avoidance Tips:

1. When two vessels are heading toward each other, each must re-route and pass to the right of the other (port to port OR left side to left side).

2. When two power vessels are approaching at right angles, the vessel on the right has the right of way and should hold its course and speed. The other vessel should manoeuvre to keep clear and pass it by its stern. If necessary, slow or stop or reverse until the right of way vessel is clear.

Please refer to www.boaterexam.com for more useful information on pleasure craft safe boating regulations, acts and codes.

The bottom line is that common sense, knowledgeable boat operation and courtesy will go a long way to ensure we all have a safe boating season and will help to reduce damage to shorelines and docking on Go Home Lake.

I welcome your comments and feedback.
Mary Boynton,
ghlcoa director, Water Safety and First Aid.

Note from Jack:
We don’t usually post links to other sites, particularily entertainment sites but I am making an exception in this case.
The video that is at the end of this link shows a boat out of control. The thing to note is not what the guy was doing at the time that he lost control nor what he does afterward. The thing to note is how quickly that small craft comes around at him.
If that doesn’t make you wear your motor lanyard, nothing will.
J.