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 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
You may have read the recent sad story about a 62 year old resident of Minnesota who was canoeing alone. He was found in the water unresponsive without a life jacket. A life jacket was found nearby.
We can’t stress this enough. Don’t even think about boating alone if not wearing a personal flotation device (PFD).
Stuff happens while on the water. I’m sure this poor individual didn’t plan on going in the water when he did!
May is National Water Safety Month.
The Water Safety Council is gearing up for the upcoming busy boating season.
President Lewis Mustian (R) and Vice President Wyatt Andrews were present to meet with Scoutmaster Butch Vogel and Webelos leader Dani Quinn to speak to the boys of Troop and Pack 132, Tuesday evening at Pleasant Hill Christian Church in Gasburg, VA.
Many parents were also in attendance.
During previous summers you probably noticed that the height markings under Lake Gaston bridges were either nonexistent or in need of maintenance. About two years ago the Board of the Lake Gaston Water Safety Council began an effort to replace or repair those markings.
We sought permission from the Department of Transportation in both North Carolina and Virginia to see how we could address this problem. NCDOT said that they don't allow or put peripherals on their bridges; they build stand-alone structures for peripherals. VDOT said they build out additions on their bridges to add peripherals but would wait to see what NC recommended so they could match it.
Both states had problems with attaching signage to their bridges as it damages the bridges and blocks inspectors from completing their inspections.
Thanks to the persistence of Past President Wyatt Andrews, in September 2022, NCDOT engineers and inspectors decided that they would install the gauges rather than having LGWSC do the installations.
By May of 2023, NCDOT finalized a design and ordered gauges. The gauges were ready in January 2024 and forwarded to the maintenance department to be scheduled for installation.
In March of this year, the first of the clearance markings was installed on the Pea Hill Bridge. We expect that all bridges on both sides of the Lake will have new height clearance markings installed before the end of this year.
Maybe this will save a few Bimini tops. We think they look nice and hope you agree.