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We had officers from NC and VA Wildlife at the monthly Water Safety Council meeting speak to us.  This is not a new law  and   Always remember if you see officers on the water conducting police action and blue lights are on, give the officers a wide berth.  In Virginia waters, 200 feet.   In North Carolina, the law says 100 feet.  

Summer has been a blur.   Although Labor Day weekend is the start of the end of summer, locals know some of the best boating of the year is just getting started.   For the procrastinators, there is still time to take a Safe Boating Class from our USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 9-3.  

We should expect a busy lake this weekend.   As always, watch out for the other guy and keep your head on a swivel.   

Have fun this weekend and don’t forget the end of summer Pig Pickin’ is Wednesday, September 25.  An email invitation has already gone out.   

 

Warren County Health Department Lifts Recreational Water Advisories

Copy of Copy of Copy of South Hill Fire Update

 

Effectively immediately, the Warren County Health Department is lifting the recreational water advisories, related to the South Hill, VA Warehouse Fire, for the sections of the Roanoke River and Lake Gaston within 5 miles of the North Carolina and Virginia border based on guidance from the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. The decision to lift these advisories mirrors the lifting of recreational advisories in Virginia by the Virginia Department of Health and is based on the same information detailed below.

From the Virginia Department of Health

“VDH considered several factors prior to lifting these advisories to protect public safety, to include field observations from environmental field staff, weather conditions (rainfall), and surface water sampling to monitor concentrations of contaminants. The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have been testing these creeks and river since the event to assist in the evaluation of the impacts of these chemicals on public health. Based on the above factors, recreational use and fish consumption activities may resume.

The advisories were issued out of an abundance of caution due to a release of chemicals from an industrial fire in South Hill on July 6. Runoff from water used to extinguish the fire created a plume which traversed along the nearby Dockery and Mountain creeks. Chemicals stored at the facility included fuel, fertilizers, herbicides and many others. The site has since been fully contained eliminating chemicals from the incident entering the environment.”

For more information related to the incident please scan the QR code.

The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality has observed no evidence of impacts to drinking water at this time.

Swimming or other activities in any natural body of water always pose some health risk because the water is not disinfected. Children under the age of five years, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems are at higher risk of contracting illness from natural bodies of water.

To stay safe while recreating and fishing in state waters the public should:

· Never swallow untreated water and don’t swim if your skin has cuts or open wounds.

· Wash hands frequently, including after swimming and before preparing and eating food.

· Shower or bathe after swimming to wash off possible germs and contaminants.

· Check the water and the area around it before swimming. Avoid going in water if there is a green film on the water or if the water is cloudier than usual. Avoid swimming near storm drains or livestock.

· Avoid swimming if you are vomiting or have diarrhea.

· Avoid contact swimming in natural waterways for three days following rain events. Heavy rain picks up anything it comes in contact with, including germs from overflowing sewage, polluted storm water, and runoff from land.

· Avoid any area of the waterbody where there is water with a foul or chemical odor, dead or dying fish, or discolored water.

· If taking fish caught from natural waters, remove the skin from filets and dispose of viscera and internal organs. Cook filets to proper temperature and clean knives and cutting boards with soapy water. Follow posted fish consumption advisories.

· Check with your healthcare provider before swimming in oceans, lakes, rivers, and other natural bodies of water if your body’s ability to fight germs is already affected by other health problems or medicines. For more information on recreational water safety, visit https://epi.dph.ncdhhs.gov/cd/water/prevent.html.

For further information please, contact the Warren County Health Department at (252) 257-1538.

 

Summer has just begun and the Water Safety Council thought the timing is right to repost information intended to keep all folks who play in the lake SAFE.  Very recently we had a boat go bump in the night.  Bow and stern lights must be on at sunset.

Just the other night I heard a boat zooming by around midnight.   From the engine sound, I went out on the deck to see who was going so fast after dark and saw no navigation lights.  Obviously a major safety issue and it’s illegal.  Probably a safe bet there was drinking involved.

All other vessels (canoes, kayaks, rowboats and sailboat) must have a visible white light.

Other good safety reminders to keep this lake safe and you safe.

Children under the age of 13 must wear a US Coast Guard approved life jacket. The Water Safety Council sponsors a life jacket loaner program for kids of all ages.  Visit our website for more information.

Kids must be at least 14 years of age to operate a PWC.

PWC (a jet ski) must not be operated before sunrise or after sundown.

Most vessels carry a rating plate that identifies the number of persons that can be safely aboard.  The number of persons on board and the number of persons being towed cannot exceed that number.  If a jet ski is rated for 3 persons, that means one on the jet ski and two being towed.

When a vessel is underway no person should sit, stand or lay outside the gated area.

It is illegal to use docking lights when underway.  “Mood” lights after dark are pretty but detract night vision.

Mind your wake. In NC. PWC’s are not to operate within 100 feet and for Virginia, 50 feet, of docks, shorelines, other vessels and swimmers.

Sailboats not under power and boats propelled by oars or paddles have the right of way.  

The above list is by no means inclusive of all rules on the water.  Every boat operator is responsible for any damage caused by your wake.  If you are new to this lake, you should take the Safe Boating Class taught by our USCG Auxiliary.  https://cgaux.org/

The Council wishes you a safe boating season and have fun out there.  Watch out for the other guy and if you would like more information, please visit www.LKGWSC.org.

Thanks for reading.
 
Lake Gaston Water Safety Council
www.LKGWSC.org




This past weekend/week, the Auxiliary gave Boating Safety talks to HOA's on the Lake.  We also did Public Affairs events to pass on Boating Safety to the public, we also offered and completed numerous Free Vessel Inspections.  Our next BOATING SAFETY CLASS  is on June 15th.

Be Safe
 
For more information, please visit:
 
https://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=054-09-03

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Memberships are $5.00 per person - $10.00 per family $10.00 per Business.