We are into the summer months now, and boat traffic is starting to peak on lakes and rivers across the country. Between all the pleasure boats, jet skiers, kayakers, and fisherman, every day can be an adventure. Having been the victim of a boat accident many years ago and not wanting to go through it again, let me offer you some advice that might save a life.

First, expect the unexpected. Most boaters have no concept of how fast a watercraft moving at 60 mph really is. When two vessels are approaching from opposite directions, they are closing at 120 mph! You’re a long distance away, glance down at your GPS, look up again and suddenly the approaching boat or Jet Ski is right on top of you. Understand this is going to happen to you sooner or later. When you spot an approaching boater some distance away on a vector that will intersect with you, yield early. Execute evasive action before it becomes absolutely necessary. YouX’re not playing chicken; being the first to give way doesn’t mean you lose.

Second, be aware that at this time of year fishermen frequently position our boats several hundred yards off the bank. Many times we are fishing way out on tapering points where creeks intersect. But having our boats out where boaters can approach from two sides of the point can be very problematic for an approaching watercraft.

Imagine you are sitting out on a point, fishing, just minding your own business. You see a fast-moving boat running parallel to the shore toward the point. From the approaching boater’s perspective, your stationary boat appears to be quite some distance from the bank. Why go all the way around you when there’s adequate room to shoot between you and the land?

The approaching boater cannot see around the point to the other side. If he decides to squeeze between you and the shore he is almost certain to swing wide to avoid shallow water and avoid other boats that might be coming from the other side of the point. On top of that, inexperienced drivers often miscalculate their boat’s (and their) capabilities and not turn as tightly as they think they can.

So as you watch this situation develop you begin to grow uneasy. You think, “That &*$^&$% is going to cut me off!”” Maybe he will. Accept the inevitable; if he aims to zip between you and the bank, he will probably pass too close for comfort. Brace yourself for some rocking and rolling. At best, the speeding boat will miss you by a wide margin. But be prepared for the short angle and a narrow miss. Once he passes, don’t let his poor judgment and bad manners ruin your day. Remember that although his approach may have been too close, it could have been a whole lot worse: he might have miscalculated badly, attempted his turn away too late, and run right over you.

At the speeds many boats are capable of today, abrupt turns are not a good option. The approaching boater needs to remember that an off-shore, anchored or floating fishing boat is closer to the shore than it appears and adjust speed and course early to give the stationary vessel a wide berth.

Captain Mike Gerry
Fish Lake Guntersville Guide Service
Web: www.fishlakeguntersvilleguideservice.com
Email: bassguide@comcast.net
(256) 759-2270