|
|
  Fishin' with Capt. Gus! - Safe Boating is No Accident
May 13, 2007
Boats on Lake Norman have been getting bigger and faster for years. The 2007 models are no exception. Now, seems an appropriate time to restate two of my favorite adages. "Safe Boating is No Accident" and, "It's always a good trip if you make it back."
With no highways, stop lights or road signs on the water, it is imperative to know the boating "rules of the road." I read that seventy-five percent of all boaters have never participated in a boater safety class of any type. Having said that, it is critical to the well being of all passengers that the pilot maneuver the vessel in a defensive manner. Defensive means keeping a constant vigilance for any object or vessel that enters the danger zone of your boat. Should there be an intrusion, either slow the boat down or increase the speed to avoid any opportunity for collision.
Congested areas, particularly near gas docks, boat storage facilities and lakeside restaurants should be considered no-wake areas regardless of signs or a lack of them. When plying heavily traveled water, all crew members should be alert and ready to report any indications of danger.
Boat harbors aren't the only places for potential hazards. There are more than twenty bridges that crisscross Lake Norman and afford multiple opportunities for accidents. Passing is not the only bridge issue, horizontal, vertical and draft clearances of a vessel are all factors to seriously consider. In fact, so many accidents occur in and around bridges that Lake Patrol Officers spend a disproportionate amount time patrolling them. If ever No Wake means No Wake, it should be around bridges. Boat wakes, similar to waves created by wind and current, will cause slow moving vessels to veer off course or change attitude. Both are particularly dangerous when passing through limited spaces.
Not all boat congestion is in a No Wake zone. Narrow turns in a channel can cause boats to slide off course if the water is choppy from excessive wakes. One area that comes to mind is the S-turn in the river channel between Markers 10, 11, 12 and 13. Here, the course winds quickly and multiple feeder creeks converge. At times, dozens of boats appear from all directions to vie for a share of this narrow and winding channel. Many are cruising at top speed or pulling large wakes. Add to this scary scenario, the fact that there might be a boater in the mix who is unsure which course to take. As in "The Perfect Storm," these conditions are exactly right for an accident. To be safe, slow your vessel, stay to the right and watch for approaching boat traffic.
Remember…."Save Boating is No Accident."
May Events:
"How to Navigate Lake Norman at Night" - Saturday, May 19, 2007
Capt. Alan Stopko will conduct this three hour class at the Peninsula Yacht Club, 18601 Harbor Light Blvd., Cornelius, NC. at 9:00 a.m. The course fee is $20 per person. Call 704-895-6993 6993 for more information.
"Boating Safety Class" - Saturday, May 19. 2007
This class will be conducted by the Lake Norman Sail & Power Squadron from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. at the Denver, NC Volunteer Fire Department. For additional information, contact Clyde Starr @ 704 947-2729.
‘How to Use Sonar/GPS to Catch More Fish" - Sunday, May 20, 2007
This ninety minute free seminar is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC. Local angler and author Jake Bussolini and Capt. Gus Gustafson will lead the informative session. Additional information is available by calling 704-658-0822.
Tips from Capt. Gus! To remove twists from anchor and dock lines, pull lines behind a slow moving boat for a few minutes. Be certain to remove all shackles and other hardware and to fasten one end to a boat cleat before paying out the line.
New Books:
Fish Tales and Other Stories as Told by Captain Gus can be purchased online at http://www.fishtalesandotherstories.com/ . Jake's Take on The Lake, written by local author Jake Bussolini is also available online at http://www.jakestakebook.com
The Hot Spot of the Week: Nice catches of catfish and bass have been reported around the islands north of the Lake Norman State Park. Warmer water temperatures have bass, catfish and white perch biting. Stripers are still active in major creek channels and up river. The lake level is 2.5' below full pond and the water temperature is in the high seventies and low eighties.
Captain Gus Gustafson of Lake Norman Ventures, Inc. is an outdoor columnist and a full time professional fishing guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his web site, Fishin' With Gus! at www.FishingWithGus.com or call 704-617-6812.
For additional information e-mail Gus at Gus@LakeNorman.com
|
|
|
|
|
