I've been looking for the lock at Wolf creek dam for years that makes L. Cumberland a navigable/commercial waterway. It was on the river before the Dam was built but they never changed the status after 1951 when the Dam was finished.
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I've been looking for the lock at Wolf creek dam for years that makes L. Cumberland a navigable/commercial waterway. It was on the river before the Dam was built but they never changed the status after 1951 when the Dam was finished.
LOL If you find it, let me know. I know bout those river monsters down there and it would be kinda kool to not have to put in down there..
As a side note, the gentleman said the water patrol simply can't keep up with the partying problem when Cumberland was discussed as far as the Coast Guard is concerned. It sounded like a bit of a hint so I wouldn't be surprised if there wasn't a joint effort between the water patrol and the coast guard at times this year. I said that at least it was mostly contained and he politely disagreed saying it wouldn't be as big a problem if ppl moored and stayed put.
[QUOTE=Duayne;414336]I thought it was silly to continue to speculate so I called the KFWD. They said that the Coast Guard has the primary Jurisdiction on the Ohio River as it is a commercial waterway first and foremost. The KFWD does patrol there on occasion. The KFWD has primary jurisdiction on Ky lakes, but lakes like Cumberland, Kentucky and Barkley are considered commercial waterways, so the Coast Guard can patrol there. On those lakes, they would only apply full Coast Guard regulations to commercial crafts and larger sea going type vessels. I would think that this would also apply to fishing guides as well.
The key term in my conversation with the nice and helpful gentleman was commercial waterway. In the recreational boating manual, it only mentions the Ohio as being fully Coast Guard regulated. So the bottom line is, if you enter the Ohio and get pulled over, you best be fully Coast Guard prepared.[/QUOTE]
The Coast Guard inspects my guide boat every year...as well as checks my credentials....just a part of the business when you have a legitimate guide service on commercial waterways.
I dont mind them inspecting my boat because i have a smaller boat than what you usaully see on the river and I like knowing that I have all of the propper safety equipment and its also good to know someone cares that every one is being safe. after all they are the ones who are more than likely be called on to resue someone if something bad ever does happen.
as far as fishing goes on the Ohio , IMO , its one of the best places around in the state for getting out and catchin speices of all types , got everything from sturgeon to small mouth in it and some of the best cat fishing around. its also IMO really become a lot cleaner body of water than most think it is. the only fish we eat out of there is the sauger but im telling what, if it was as dirty as most think there would be a lot of sick people around cause people haul stringer after stringer of fish out of there and put them on the table
[QUOTE=Lowerider;414133]Got word that the coast guard is stopping boats and performing thorough inspections on the Ohio River - Markland Pool.
What I found news worthy is they are sending people home who don't pass inspection but in order to pass you have to have equipment above and beyond what is required by law.
These guys are checking bilge pumps, running lights (even though it's day-time), fist aid kits, flares, marine radios, battery terminals - yes, they want you to pull every battery you have in your boat out to see the the positive terminal is covered, along with all the standard stuff - life jackets etc.
Seems a little over-kill to me. I don't keep flares, don't have a radio, and I'll be damned if I'm going to pull all 5 batteries out of my boat which by the way don't all have terminal covers.[/QUOTE]
SO you have to have lights even in the daytime?????
Ahhh you don't know the River then .....I prefer it over any lake but the level has to be right
We were checked several times by the CG, when we fished lake michigan, Wedidn't have the radio stuff, but almost everything else. The rules for charter boats were even more strict.When we were kids, we could even fish at the coast guard station.My cousin was in the CG was stationed for almost 30 months on the west coast. Finished up his enlistment only 5 miles from where he lived. Re-upped and and wound up in nam. Retired and still lives close to the big lakes.When he talked about 15 ft waves being moderate seas, it almost made me sea sick.Any one who has had that pleasure never wants it again. Yep my 10 day all expense paid atlantic cruise taught me that you cant puke up your AH, but close.
On the ohio I was checked every so often by the cg ,water patrol and sometimes at the ramp by the sheriffs dept,seemingly one of the most watched waterways.They generally are nice about it,like visual signal device-wally world plastic orange flag,and often require more gear than say one fishing a lake somewhere.50 ft of rope to lock thru,anchor,attach a whistle on a lanyard to your controls if horn fails it still passes.
Ive had them look to see if it had a bilge pump but never ever had one request I turn it on,ligts check only at the ramp.
Surest way to get really checked is anchor near a bridge and catfish.
Ive been stopped and checked more times on the ohio river than anywhere else.
Next closest would be Bass Island,Erie.
Ever heard of the US Power Squadron? That's a first one for me.
They're also out doing "voluntary" checks. Problem is they're all dolled up in CG patches and don't let you know it's voluntary until the inspection is over.
I'm all for safety checks but there is a line I draw when the inspection takes 20+ minutes and they want you to pull batteries and stuff out.
I've been fishing the OH for years and so far (knock on wood) have never been checked other than being at the dam. I got pulled over once for coming out of the Licking on plane but at the time didn't know that was a no wake zone. The guys were cool and let me go with just a warning - however I would have fought a ticket given the only "no wake" sign was spray painted on a bridge pilon that you couldn't even read anymore. I'm sure I would have lost but it's the principle.
Any yes, please show me the secret passage through Wolf Creek dam - I could sure save a lot of gas and time that way...lol.
Looks like the Coast Guard regulations do not stipulate any difference between day and night but that stuff is really hard to read. It also looks like they must be permanently affixed fixtures (no temp clamp ons). I don't know if the stow lights have to be installed. I would guess they wouldn't but they would probably make you put them in and turn them on.
I bet someone could go get a courtesy check and they would let you know exactly what you needed to do to be compliant.
One thing I read was that batteries must be secured to a point where they can not move more than an inch with 90 pounds of pressure applied. That's a lot of force!
Scott,
As much as you are on the Ohio, I would go get a courtesy check if I were you. I think you get a sticker which could save you a bunch of time if you did get checked while fishing. I agree this is way over kill for weekend fishermen but what are ya gonna do other that not fish the Ohio? I'd be a real bummer to have a tank full of good bait only to get sent home with it.
[QUOTE=Duayne;414478]One thing I read was that batteries must be secured to a point where they can not move more than an inch with 90 pounds of pressure applied. That's a lot of force![/QUOTE]
Not really - the battery itself weighs around 50 or 60+ - takes a lot of force to overcome that weight/friction.