Welcome

Dear Residents,

As Labor day approaches and summer winds down I thought I'd take some time to talk about jet skis and safety. I think many residents on the lake have or use jet skis. It is usually what I hear most, “This jet ski did this. That jet ski did that.”

While the thrill of a jet skiing comes from speeding across the water, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t do it responsibly. Jet skiers have responsibilities to other water users – as a well as themselves – to ride in a safe and sensible manner. It’s important to know how to stay safe and how to behave with respect to other users when sharing the water.

The following realbuzz.com guide therefore aims to give you a few safety tips as well as the low-down on jet skiing rules and etiquette – which will ensure you operate your jet ski in the correct manner and stay safe while you enjoy yourself!. (I'm not picking on you jet skiers but the jet ski is usually the craft that incurs the most accidents and gets the most complaints.)

Right of way
Boats and other vessels always have the right of way – so when you’re approaching an oncoming craft, stay to the right. Also, if you are about to cross paths with another boat or jet ski, the craft on the right side has the right of way. (Our lake has a traffic pattern so please know it and follow it especially when there others on the lake.)

Awareness
You should always be on the lookout for traffic on the water. It’s best to know where other boats are and where they’re heading before you make a turn or cross a wake. Sadly, collisions are the most common type of accident when jet skiing – so take particular attention to what other craft are around you and where they are going.

Wave or wake jumping
If your course takes you across the wake of another craft, make sure that the craft does not obstruct both your own visibility and your visibility to others. Larger boats may not see you, and may not be able to get out of your way in time to avoid a collision. Stay a safe distance from other craft, 100 feet or more. Never follow a boat towing closer than 300 feet.

Operating speed
Speed limits are usually set by local regulations or by-laws, so follow the limits, (50mph) whether they are posted or not. It is your responsibility to know the local speed limit, and failure to keep to it could end up with you facing a fine – or worse still, being involved in an accident. In congested areas it might be wise to lower your speed accordingly, just as you would if you were driving a car. (Always observe the no wake buoys. I think some think this doesn't apply to them but it does. Please slow down in the coves!)

Wear the proper safety equipment
Wear an approved life jacket and eye protection to prevent water spray from obscuring your vision. Tennis shoes or deck shoes and gloves offer better control of your machine, while a wet suit provides protection from the elements. A whistle attached to your life jacket can be used to summon help in the event of an emergency situation.

Safety lanyard
Never operate your jet ski without the safety lanyard attached to you, as the lanyard will immediately cut the jet ski's engine if you fall from the craft. This safety feature can help to prevent bad accidents – so always use it!

Noise
Be conscious of the noise your craft makes. The best way to avoid noise complaints is to avoid operating at high speed near to the shoreline, waterfront properties and other boaters. You should also reduce noise early in the morning. In addition, always start the jet ski engine in the water, and warm up the engine before you set off.

Environment
It shouldn’t need saying, but don’t spill fuel, oil or leave litter or other pollutants where they don’t belong. Also, don’t operate your jet ski close to wildlife or aquatic vegetation. This will minimize the impact your craft has on nature, as well as spare the craft’s machinery from unnecessary damage.

Other water enthusiasts
Jet skiers must share the waterways with boats, fisherman, swimmers, surfers, and water skiers. You should keep your distance and respect their rights to safety, access and use of the water.

More on Jet skis...

Lets face it, jet skis are frowned upon amongst cottage owners and many boaters out there. Primarily due to the ignorance and lack of respect riders show there fellow water sport enthusiasts. By following these simple basic guidelines "for starters" we can all enjoy the stress free waters.
Whether solo or with a passenger, jet skis are a great form of summer fun on the water. It's important to operate jet skis safely and to always be considerate of others on or near the water. (Emphasize these guidelines to your guests as well. Remember if you allow guests yo use you jet skis you are still responsible. I think many of the complaints are about guest who do not know the lake rules and basic safety guidelines.)

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Jet Ski Waterway Safety & Etiquette Tips

Safety

* Right of way. Sailboats, commercial vessels and fishing vessels always have the right of way. Stay to the right of when approaching an oncoming craft. If you are about to cross paths with another boat, the craft on the right side has the right of way.
* Awareness. Constantly look for traffic on the water around and especially near you. Know where other boats are and where they're heading before you make a turn or cross a wake.
* Wave or Wake Jumping. If your course takes you across the wake of another boat, make sure that boat does not obstruct your visibility.
* Operating speed. Follow local regulations regarding speed limits, whether posted or not. In congested areas, lower your speed.
* Passengers and Guests. Never carry more than the maximum passenger load specified for your craft.
* Maintenance. Check your craft internally and externally before you get on the water. Follow factory maintenance schedule for your watercraft.

Etiquette

* Launch ramp etiquette. Be considerate and efficient. Prepare your craft beforehand and perform all safety checks before you get into the water. Launch quickly and quietly.
* Noise. Be considerate of waterfront property owners and others near and on the water. Excessive noise from a poorly maintained or modified exhaust system disturbs others and is illegal in many areas.
* Environments. Don't spill fuel or oil and don't leave litter or other pollutants where they don't belong. Be sensitive to marine life; the water is their home.
* Other water enthusiasts. Personal watercraft riders must share the waterways with other boaters, fisherman, swimmers, surfers, and skiers; respect their rights to safety, access and use of the water.

March 26, 2008

Dear Residents,
Well the ice is finally off the lake, the geese are starting to pair up and the weather is sl-o-o-owly warming which means that boating season is once again here. The lock has been changed on the ramp and I am in the process of passing out keys. If you need one right away give me a call and make arrangements. If you have any new water craft or have gotten rid of one please let me know so I can get it registered.

I'd like to welcome the new residents to the lake that have moved in this winter or are planning on moving in this summer. If you are planning on putting a boat on the water this season make sure it meets the guideline in the covenants or give me a call and we can discuss it. Once you have the boat we need to get a lake registration number for it and then I can get you a sticker for the boat and a key for the ramp.

Once again I want to stress safety. It only takes one careless person to spoil boating for everyone. Before boating this season, take time to review the “Lake rules” in the covenants and to read the safety guidelines on our website. If you're under 18 and want to operate a jet ski or boat you must pass a boaters safety course, this is a state requirement. You can take this course even if you're 18 or older and I encourage everyone to do so. There will be some offered in April; there is a link on the safety page that will take you to the listings.

The Home Owners assoc. is now the owner of the gas pump. This means we are now responsible for the liability and maintenance of the pumping station. So I'd like to put forth some info concerning the use of the gas dock some of which you may or may not be aware:

• The fueling station is there as a convenience, the pump may be shut off if this privilege is abused in any way.
• Always tie your boat up to the dock when fueling. Always attend the nozzle and never prop it open.
• After swiping your card remember to push the yellow button before you begin fueling.
• If there are no words or numbers in the pump monitor windows this means the pump needs to be reset the reset button is located by the door on the small white building to the north of the pump. Simply open the cover and push the button and replace the cover. If this does not help give Rich a call at 510 9039.
• If there is a fire or some other emergency there is a shut down button located inside the fire extinguisher box just north of the pump, there is also one on the building to the north. Also on the south side of the building there is a red box if you open the box you will see a telephone receiver pick it up and it will call 911 automatically. The address is Newportlanding Circle off of Highway 36.
• If you see a boat at the gas dock try to stay clear and slow as much as possible when passing.