Fatal boat wreck on Barkley this morning

[Duayne]

Probably right on the mind changing point and that's fine. It's what makes the world go round.. I don't feel like I am over reacting and I've wanted changes for quite some time so it hardly has anything to do with this situation. This situation simply brings the topic to the front. People would be astounded at the number of pleasure boating accidents and fatalities every year. While fishermen tend to be in fewer, they obviously are not excluded.

Does anyone know the rules regarding safe speed? There is no clear cut, rule in most cases. You are suppose to operated at a safe speed based on the conditions. Those conditions include visibility, weather, TRAFFIC, area, etc. How many of you that fished KY/B this weekend feel you probably went too fast based on the conditions at least at some point? Most of you? Some? OK, here's an even more important question.. How many of you feel that even though you feel you traveled at a safe speed based on conditions, there is room for someone else to think differently. I'd say it's 100%
It is true people speed break the law even with the regs on the highways. It is true they still would if there was a limit on water. But at least they would KNOW they are breaking the law and at least SOME would most certainly honor the rules where today there pretty much isn't any.

[ukbass]

Probably right on the mind changing point and that's fine. It's what makes the world go round.. I don't feel like I am over reacting and I've wanted changes for quite some time so it hardly has anything to do with this situation. This situation simply brings the topic to the front. People would be astounded at the number of pleasure boating accidents and fatalities every year. While fishermen tend to be in fewer, they obviously are not excluded.

Does anyone know the rules regarding safe speed? There is no clear cut, rule in most cases. You are suppose to operated at a safe speed based on the conditions. Those conditions include visibility, weather, TRAFFIC, area, etc. How many of you that fished KY/B this weekend feel you probably went too fast based on the conditions at least at some point? Most of you? Some? OK, here's an even more important question.. How many of you feel that even though you feel you traveled at a safe speed based on conditions, there is room for someone else to think differently. I'd say it's 100%
It is true people speed break the law even with the regs on the highways. It is true they still would if there was a limit on water. But at least they would KNOW they are breaking the law and at least SOME would most certainly honor the rules where today there pretty much isn't any.

Maybe Duayne, I'm trying to be open minded. But if passed, that just opens up a whole new can of worms. I still don't think it is needed. And one of my main beefs is that most who want this are tournament haters that have come out of the woodwork due to this tragedy. That really aggrevates me.Thanks for the sensible entry though. We can repectfully disagree.

[Duayne]

Really, the most important thing to me is a mandatory training/permit. I re-read the coast guard regs every year. It's one of the most boring things you can do. It reads like a lawyer wrote it. Most do not know that you are suppose to signal one short blast to over take starboard or two to overtake port. If people know, they don't do it. I would venture to guess that most don't even know which is starbord and which is port!! I've signaled and had people give me a pissed look because they thought I was being rude. Mainly, THEY DON'T KNOW. They do not know that NO ONE actually has the right of way on the water. They don't know that certain boats have the cause to continue in certain conditions. They don't know that different boats have the cause to continue in the same conditions. It's confusing and it basically comes down to there aren't any right of way rules, and larger boats or boats that can't maneuverer as easy have the cause to continue because they can't maneuverer as easily. It's quite stupid, really, and needs to be changed. There are simply too many boats on the water to operate with "common sense" rules these days when common sense is so lacking.

I got no beef with tournament guys. Some do act with little caution sometimes. It's the same with some skiers/tubers and most jet skis. Even causal fishermen have their moments. I can certainly say there are times I could have done things safer out there. I stay off the water sometimes because it's so unsafe out there. As I see it, that isn't all that fair to me either, when things could be and should be different. Requiring a permit would probably keep a lot of pure trash off the water and that, alone, would make things safer.

[everettvet]

Ok, lets say they pass a law that requires a permit or license prior to operating a watercraft with a gas engine similar to a license to drive a car. I took my driver's test 23 years ago when I turned 16. I get my drivers license renewed when it expires. I do not have to take a test. I just go pay my money. The person at the window has no idea what kind of driver I am at this point in my life. Once the initial test is passed, I am thinking a boat drivers license would be the same way. If a "driving" test were required for boats, would you see us out in a little john boat with a small gas engine because it might make it easier to pass the test. I am thinking that the license would be a way for the state to make money and it will have nothing to do with safety. Afterall, I would be willing to bet that a very high percentage of automobile wrecks happens with licensed drivers.

The upside of a license to operate a watercraft is that it should remove all the little kids on the jet skis. I can't count the number of times that I have seen kids that don't look any older than my son (who is 7) out in the middle of the lake without any adults!

[Duayne]

You raise a very valid point. People usually use a drivers lic all the time. A boating permit does not mean you would use it all the time. I'd like to see an online test that must be passes before the permit is renewed each year. I think it's unrealistic to ask for an on the water test. Simply understanding the regs and having to take an online test would be enough to get the rules of the water out there.

FYI, it is against KY law for anyone 12-17 to operate a jetski (or boat over 10hp ?) without a boatng permit.

[everettvet]

FYI, it is against KY law for anyone 12-17 to operate a jetski (or boat over 10hp ?) without a boatng permit.

I know that is KY law, but they sure are a lot of them out there.

The other problem with a license is how do you regulate the drivers of boats from out of state. There are so many variables with this situation that it is not even funny.

[Duayne]

I know that is KY law, but they sure are a lot of them out there.

The other problem with a license is how do you regulate the drivers of boats from out of state. There are so many variables with this situation that it is not even funny.

Oh, that's part of the beauty of it... Even they would need a KY boating permit..

I know I am just blowing smoke and nothing will change. It certainly shouldn't change JUST on this one situation. It is a good time to open our minds to at least consider ways to make things better.

[VMAXX]

Judging from the pictures and eyewitness accounts speed was not a factor,simply put it was an accident,a terrible one and prayers for all families involved. Maybe if they raise our fishing lic to 150.00 a year they could hire enough officers to enforce a speed limit otherwise I cant see it happening. Indiana has some posted speeds on some lakes but not always enough DNR to enforce them....