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Wake and Anchored Boats
Looking for opinions: The law in my State says you must pass and anchored boat at a minimum of 100'. But the law also states that you are responsible for any damage or injury that is caused by your wake. So Boat A is anchored in a large cove that is NOT a no wake zone or has any restrictions. Boat B comes into the cove towards his Marina at the end of the cove. Boat B passes at 100'. Captain A has a hissy fit that Captain B didn't slow to idle speed to pass. Captain A allegedly reports Captain B to the Fish & Boat Commission. I guess Captain B is liable because he made a wake, regardless of the distance passed. But should Captain A have some responsibility if he anchors in an area that carries traffic in/out of a marina? Boats routinely anchor and swim in traffic areas rather that a protected, NO WAKE cove. So if we follow the law, the rest of us have to tip toe down the lake because people anchor in traffic areas.
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The only thing that COULD come into play is if Captain A had anchored in a marked and defined channel. However, I've never seen that enforced for anything other commercials barges or some idiot fishing under a bridge.
How would you know that Captain A didn't break down in that spot, and dropped anchor while waiting for a tow or assistance? As my HR friend told me the other day in a completely different conversation: "There's no law against being an asshoIe." |
he was anchored and swimming/partying. Captain B assumed he passed at a safe distance
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Originally Posted by MonkeySea2
(Post 4902920)
Looking for opinions: The law in my State says you must pass and anchored boat at a minimum of 100'. But the law also states that you are responsible for any damage or injury that is caused by your wake. So Boat A is anchored in a large cove that is NOT a no wake zone or has any restrictions. Boat B comes into the cove towards his Marina at the end of the cove. Boat B passes at 100'. Captain A has a hissy fit that Captain B didn't slow to idle speed to pass. Captain A allegedly reports Captain B to the Fish & Boat Commission. I guess Captain B is liable because he made a wake, regardless of the distance passed. But should Captain A have some responsibility if he anchors in an area that carries traffic in/out of a marina? Boats routinely anchor and swim in traffic areas rather that a protected, NO WAKE cove. So if we follow the law, the rest of us have to tip toe down the lake because people anchor in traffic areas.
The way I read this account, there was no damage to be held liable for. One could argue all day long about the distance the pass-by was made at, and a citation could be in order (if it would be enforced is up to the authorities), but I don't see where Capt A was put to any harm. We cruise all over Cumberland all the time, passing by anchored and/or drifting boats at a maintained distance, of course, and all we ever get are waves from the occupants of said boats. Thanks. Brad. |
We have people that anchor and fish, in, or just outside our channels all the time. After getting smoked in a no-wake zone I don't even pretend to slow down.
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