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State Needs to Rein In Big, Fast Boats

September 12, 2007 - I have been following the paper's coverage of the recent boating accident on Long Lake, and I am very sorry for the individuals involved in this terrible incident, as well as for their family and friends.

I have spent many summers on area lakes since the early 1960s, and the last 10 to 15 years have seen them become increasingly plagued by very large, loud and fast boats.

It is a simple fact that the powerful capability of these boats operating in a limited space is not a good combination.

Maine receives poor marks on its climate for business-friendliness, but it's lakes, mountains and outdoors are highly rated. The state should work hard to not let this desirable environment be damaged in any way.

Clearly, the increasing probability of an encounter with a very fast, loud boat has the potential to impact many people's experience and perception of Maine's lakes negatively.

Tragically, this most recent tragedy, in which a high-powered, multi-engine boat ended up 134 feet on land, needs to be the catalyst for Maine to make some regulatory changes.

As long as overpowered boats are allowed to roar across inland lakes at high speeds, the potential for tragic accidents remains higher than it could be.

As some of these boats travel 70 mph or more, it takes in less than 10 minutes to cross Maine's largest lakes, an unnecessary speed for almost any reasonable legal endeavor.

To maximize engine power and speed, many of these boats are able to bypass the muffler systems by activating a switch allowing exhaust to flow unrestrained and straight through the hall, producing more speed and a high decibel level.

On calm evenings, when these boats often go out for their runs, the noise and speed they create is almost unbelievable.

Common sense would dictate that this use of Maine's resources is very contrary to the overall well-being of the 99% of the public who enjoy a Maine's beautiful lakes without traveling 70 mph or producing noise that can be heard for miles.

There are existing regulations regarding boat noise and speed, but these are difficult for wardens to enforce. The Legislature should address this situation by enacting enforceable regulations that at least keep the problem from becoming worse.

There are manufacturers and associations that will lobby very diligently against any restrictions or enforcement of boat speed and noise, but if Maine is going to continue to lead the nation in safe and environmentally responsible use of its resources, the Legislature should act.

These ideas could be a starting point:

(A) Immediately end the registration and operation of boats for inland waters that have these characteristics: 1) multi-engine boats with more than one engine over 150 hp and 2) boats with through-hull exhaust (including those with mufflers or disabling switches).

(B) With boats costing well over $100,000, minor fines cost less than a gas fill-up and are not a deterrent, so the state should raise fines for noncompliance to at least $1000 per incident.

Given the money already spent, many boat dealers and residents have an understandable interest in fighting any proposed legislation.

In order to respect these individuals, it will be necessary for the Legislature to grandfather their boats as long as they were registered in Maine at the time the law changes.

However, no new registrations should be allowed, and out-of-state registrations should not be grandfather. Special identification could be issued to mark grandfathered boats.

Restricting boats with unchecked power and noise from continued unrestrained access to Maine's lakes would help keep the safety and environmental impact on Maine's lakes from becoming worse.

This commentary was written by Jeff Wood of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. He is a summer resident of Sebago Lake.

This article first appeared in the Portland Press Herald, September 7, 2007.


Lakes: Long Lake
Regions: Sebago, Belgrade, Rangeley, Moosehead, Sanford, Bangor, Katahdin, Embden, Houlton, Lincoln, Jackman, Presque Isle, Allagash, Calais, Mid Coast, Downeast


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