Quote:
Originally Posted by maxingout
People in authority generally are not going to act unless they are out on patrol looking for people breaking the law, or unless loss of life is imminent.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabray
I agree and dont expect help but it is odd that a boater with authority could and did leave. <snip>
Mostly I wrote this because I found myself slip into a mindset that an authority was present and would handle the other boaters mistake while allowing me protection.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by rebel heart
Hanging out with drunken idiots on July 4th in a busy harbor is not the kind of risk that makes you a better mariner. It's the kind of risk that has some idiot smash into your boat and if you're lucky no one gets killed.
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by sabray
What surprised me was that a fellow boater with a skiff and a big motor who was paid to be there left. It was a good reminder I am responsible for me. Not whining a bit we all handled it well. Just saying for purpose of conversation. Yes I went and anchored in a 4th of july parade knew that risk as well. Thats why I was on the edge of the pack. If you had seen my son glued to the deck while it all went off you would know why occassionnally I do things that may not be my cup of tea but a 8 year old anchored right by the barge thinks sailing rocks.I should be able to do that and did the DNR did a good job nabbing idiots and drunks.
|
This is by no means a criticism of you or anything you did or did not do.. It is also not an indictment of how you perceived the
events. It's my take on things -
- 4th of July raft up. I expect too many boats, I expect drinkers, I expect idiots. I evaluate all that and look at my 11 year old son and say, "Son let's go to the raft up party." It's all over at that point. I have evaluated and accepted all that will happen next. I will anchor at the edge and if it gets unsafe I will leave.
- The authorities. They expect stupid boaters, they expects drunks, they expect fighting. They are not there to protect your
paint or enforce 5:1
anchoring rules. They are short handed and are going to try and stop people from drowning, getting in fights and probably expect to arrest a few of the stand out idiots.
There were a couple of boats fouled, no one was drunk, no one was fighting and at that point the only thing at risk was
gelcoat.
So you are the authorities. What do you do?
- a) the 4th of July party goes well every year. There are X boaters arrested for drinking, fighting and general stupidity. Let's keep the system the same.
- b) A couple of people are at risk every year. Let's close the anchorage and not let anyone raft up.
- c) Let's lay down and temporary
mooring filed. We can get 40 temporary balls in there. That will cost the city $20,000 to set up. We will rent the balls out for $500 on a first come first serve basis. Anyone anchoring will get a $500 fine and be told to move.
It's hell being a city planner. I wouldn't want to make those choices. But my choice as a boater is still option 1. I don't like the nanny state telling me what to do and I don't expect the nanny state to keep me safe from the other idiot boaters.