Hello LSC.

Today, we'd like to take some time to discuss boating safety on Lake St. Catherine, as we've noted a recent increase in complaints and concerns passed along to the LSCA.

We'll review the general Vermont boating rules, the LSC specific boating rules, and provide you the information on how to report violations to the proper authorities.

To begin, here are the Vermont rules for unlawful operation of a vessel.

Vermont law states that these dangerous operating practices are illegal:

Careless and Reckless Operation of a vessel or the reckless manipulation of water skis, a surfboard, or a similar device is operating in a manner that causes danger to the life, limb, or property of any person. Examples of illegal, reckless operation are:

• Boating in restricted areas without regard for other boaters or persons, posted speeds and wake restrictions, diver-down flags, etc.
• Boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failing to follow the navigation rules
• Weaving through congested waterway traffic
• Swerving at the last possible moment in order to avoid collision
• Causing danger or damage from the wake of your vessel
• Chasing, harassing, or disturbing wildlife with your vessel

Overloading is loading the vessel beyond a safe carrying capacity, taking into consideration the weather and other operating conditions.

Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel or while towing a person on water skis or any similar device. Specifically, the following actions are illegal:

• Operating a vessel (except sailboards) at greater than “no wake speed” within 200 feet of:

- The shoreline
- A person in the water
- A canoe, rowboat, or other vessel
- An anchored or moored vessel with a person on board
- An anchorage or dock

• Operating a vessel at speeds of five miles per hour or greater within 200 feet of a marked swimming area
• Operating a vessel at speeds that may cause danger, injury, or damage. Be aware of and obey all regulatory markers, including areas marked as “no wake”

Note: “No Wake Speed” means operating your vessel at a speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, not to exceed five miles per hour.

Many more rules and regulations for boating in Vermont can be found here, in the Vermont Boating Laws And Responsibilities Handbook.

Next, let's review the Lake St. Catherine specific boating rules that are in place, under Vermont Statute 10 V.S.A. § 1424, (effective November 17, 1980, amended January 1, 1995):

Water-skiing is prohibited in the following waters:

• All portions of Lily Pond and the channel connecting Lily Pond and Lake St. Catherine
• All portions of the channel connecting Little Lake and Lake St. Catherine

The operation of vessels powered by motor at speeds exceeding five miles per hour or in such a manner as to cause a disturbing wake is prohibited in the following waters:

• All portions of Lily Pond and the channel connecting Lily Pond and Lake St. Catherine
• All portions of the channel connecting Little Lake and Lake St. Catherine
• Forest House Bay - defined for purposes of this rule as those waters south and southwest of a straight line between the southerly corner of Camp 102 and the northeasterly corner of Camp 110A
• Hall’s Bay - defined for purposes of this rule as those waters north and northeast of a straight line between the southerly corner of Camp 224 and the northerly corner of Camp 207
• Horseshoe Bay - defined for purposes of this rule as those waters west of a straight line between the easterly corner of Camp 38 and northerly corner of Camp 46A
• Oxbow Bay - defined for purposes of this rule as those waters west of a straight line between the northerly corner of Camp 21 and the northerly corner of Camp 36

With regard to Forest House Bay, Hall’s Bay, Horseshoe Bay, and Oxbow Bay:

• It is permissible for a boat to start and return to its own dock at speeds in excess of five miles per hour for purposes of water-skiing. In starting, the boat must head directly out of the safety zone. In returning, the boat must go directly to its dock at the lowest speed necessary to sustain the skier

For purposes of this regulation only:

• The term “channel” as used in the rules above shall mean those waters within and contiguous to Lake St. Catherine which are less than 400 feet in width and which serve to connect that lake with Lily Pond or Little Lake.
• The use of personal watercraft at speeds not exceeding five miles per hour is allowed on Little Lake and Lily Pond for purposes of obtaining access to, and returning from, Lake St. Catherine.

Finally, we'd like to inform you on the best way to report violations that you witness.

This past weekend, we had a conversation with our Game Warden, Dustin Circe:

[Dustin Circe, pictured left. Photo credit: Vermont Game Warden Association's Facebook page]

Dustin's patrol area includes 6 towns: Wells, Poultney, Middletown Springs, Tinmouth, Pawlet, and Danby. He's on Lake St. Catherine two to three times a week.

While Dustin patrols LSC, he looks for things like fishing violations (while checking for licenses), unsafe boating (including checking for life jackets, boating while intoxicated) and littering. While it's not possible for Dustin to be on the lake every day, we can assist him in keeping LSC for everyone.

Dustin has outlined a few tips that are helpful if you witness a violation or an unsafe situation. The more detailed information you can provide, the better his investigation can be. If possible, try to:

• Take a video
• Take photos
• Take note of their registration number
• Take note of a description of the vessel and the individual
• Take note of the camp they return to
• Take note of the date & time and location

Then, call Dustin at (802) 793-6629 to report the incident so he can begin investigating using the information you provide.

Dustin explained that we can all be his eyes and ears around the lake helping to keep it safe.

So, let's all be considerate of others while sharing the lake, and let's all work together to keep everyone on Lake St. Catherine safe.

Thank you!