Smith Mountain Lake Boating Association

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image	Captain Easy's
	Boating Safety Tip of the Month
	UFOs Spotted on Lake Is the Lake Safe? Who has the Right of Way?

UFOs Spotted on Lake!

Yes, it is that time of year when UFOs, known as Unidentified Floating Objects, are commonly spotted on Smith Mountain Lake. Winter and Spring weather, plus radical changes in the lake level, customarily produce an abnormal amount of debris to be contended with by the boating public. Free floating logs, construction debris, portions of old docks or complete floating docks can be a serious navigational hazard. Some of this debris is very hard to spot as it floats on the surface or just below it.

What can you do?

Remember first the prime directive in your Virginia Boating Basics Safety Course: Keep a Sharp Lookout. Look for a bobbing dark spot or shadow in your path. During this time of the year use conservative speeds and scan ahead a sufficient distance that you can safely take evasive action to avoid a collision. Remember, UFOs are primarily wind driven and travel in packs. If you see one, there will be others. Travel at night is particularly tricky. Your observational technique is the same and you will be looking for that small break or shadow in what little light is reflected off the water. Go slow, wear your PFD and use your ignition lanyard in the event you strike an object sufficient in size to throw you down or out of the boat.
Free floating dock parts and anchored swim platforms are very dangerous. Owners of such items should take particular care to maintain their equipment, including a frequent inspection of attachments and anchoring devices. Docks floating free can create a serious navigational hazard and liability on its owner.

What else can you do?

Call or drop by the SML Visitor Center at Hales Ford Bridge right away to sign up for the annual Lake Clean Up Day on May 8. Have a good time and remember, the outdrive or lower unit you save may be your own! Call 540-721-1203.
Don't forget to kick off National Safe Boating Week by participating in the Chamber/Boating Assoc. 2nd Annual Poker Run. To register call Morris Johnson, Jr. at 540-721-1833

Easy Does It!

Is The Lake Safe?

From time to time we hear concerns expressed that the lake is unsafe for boating. Smith Mountain Lake is clean, it is deep, it is big and it is beautiful. In our completely unbiased opinion, it is one of the finest lakes for boating anywhere. It also, based on its physical and usage characteristics, can present the boater with a very wide range of conditions to handle while on the water.

What is the Problem?

Without exception, examination of complaints always center around the fact that other boats are too big, or too fast, or too many and are driven by crazy people who don't know what they are doing. The complaint always is the other guy is the problem.

The answer is...

The answer is contained in your Virginia Boating Basics training. The very first module covers Choosing the Right Boat for the use and conditions in which you intend to operate it in. A small runabout or pontoon may be very comfortable during the week when weather conditions are good, but not so when traffic or weather are heavy. Using a boat under conditions unsuitable for its use is not the other guys fault.

Smith Mountain Lake rarely presents conditions that any competent boat or boater cannot handle safely, even when it is rough enough to not be comfortable. Solid knowledge of handling your boat, knowledge of the rules of the road and understanding the limitations of your boat are all that is needed for a safe boating experience. Your lack of understanding of the important issues is not the other guys fault.

Remember, if you are casting aspersions upon other boaters for conditions you are concerned with, they may very well be saying the same about you!

Don't let concern about boating safety get you down! Call the Smith Mountain Eagle at 540-297-1222 to sign up for Boating Basics.

Easy Does It!

Who Has the Right of Way?

The purpose of the Navigational Rules is not, as commonly thought, to grant one boat "right of way" over another. The rules anticipate that avoiding a collision requires the participation of both parties. The purpose is to present guidlines for action required of both parties in a situation where the danger of collision exists. Under the rules one boat is designated the "stand-on vessel", the other the "give-way vessel" to act in a specific way to avoid collision.

Boats on an intersecting or collision course.

The hard, fast rule is the boat on an intersecting course to your boat on your right , in the area from dead ahead in an arc to the right and to the rear for 112.5 degrees, is the stand-on vessel and has the duty to maintain its course and speed. This makes your boat the give-way vessel and obligates you to slow, alter your speed and direction to permit the stand-on vessel to meet its obligation under the rules. This is particularly important to remember on Smith Mountain Lake. There is no such thing as right of way by virtue of being in the "main channel". Boats entering the main channel from coves on your right are the stand-on vessel.

Passing and Head to head...

A boat being passed is the stand-on vessel. Once they are aware of your intent to pass they have the obligation to maintain course and speed. The passing vessel has the obligation to stay clear, not interfere with the vessel being passed and not pass if it is unsafe to do so. Neither boat approaching head on is a stand-on vessel. Both are obligated as give-way vessels. On Smith Mountain Lake it is very important to stay to the right in all channels and not cut across turns. You are creating a serious hazard for yourself and approaching boats if you do. If you observe five boats approaching you head on, you may be on the wrong side of the lake!

Hello PWC Operators...
All the rules that apply to boats apply to you too!

Get the low-down on all the rules by signing up for Boating Basics. Call the Eagle at 540-297-1222 for your reservation.

Easy Does It!