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Officials urge safety on Lake
By ROB LYON, Smith Mountain Eagle
Fireworks and fun. That's what the 4th of July means for many people.
There will be plenty of both at Smith Mountain Lake this weekend and safety and law enforcement officials are urging everyone to be safe on and around the water.
The Smith Mountain Lake Water Safety Council (WSC) and Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF) are asking boaters to exercise extra caution while enjoying the Lake this holiday weekend.
"This weekend is typically the biggest of the summer in terms of boat traffic," said DGIF's Sgt. Karl Martin. "You can count on it being congested out there."
DGIF's Conservation Police Officers will be watching for reckless operation of boats and personal watercraft and checking for boating under the influence violations.
"Skippers who are drug or alcohol impaired greatly increase their chances of being involved in incidents that cause injury to themselves, their passengers, other boaters or swimmers," Martin said. "We simply can't tolerate that additional risk."
BUI infractions become a permanent part of a boat operator's driving record, result in a costly fine and may increase the cost of their boat insurance.
Meanwhile, preparations continue for the designation of a "no-wake" zone on the Lake for Saturday's display at Parkway Marina.
"The extra-cautious boating behavior of SML residents and visitors on that evening the last three years has transformed what had become for many a prohibitively scary night to be on the water into a safe, comfortable, low-anxiety evening on the water," said Pete Lewis, chairman of the Smith Mountain Lake Water Safety Council.
"By keeping to idle speed in the designated 'No-Wake' viewing area," Lewis explained, "we've done away with the churning wakes and high-speed departure frenzy that had come to characterize the event and was keeping many boaters from attending the fireworks by water. A bit of common sense and boating courtesy has gone a long way toward making the celebration safer and more comfortable for everyone."
No-wake zone organizers are asking boaters coming to the 4th of July fireworks to to slow to idle spend upon entering that area. When the fireworks have concluded, skippers should idle toward their home docks until they've exited the zone.
"It's always a bit crazy through the S-curve following the fireworks," cautioned Martin. "People need to take it easy through there and any place else there is congestion."
A map showing the No-Wake boundaries is included on Page 1B of this week's edition.
The No-Wake Zone will also be marked on the water by volunteer crews from the SML Boating Association flying lighted orange balloons from boats located along the boundary lines.
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