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Boat Deaths Lead to Call to Restrict Motor Power

October 26, 2007 - AUGUSTA -- An incident in which a large boat sliced through a smaller boat, killing two people this summer on Long Lake, has prompted a legislator to propose limits on motors allowed there.

Rep. Richard Sykes, R-Harrison, wants to submit a bill limiting boat motors to 500 horsepower or less on Long Lake, where the accident happened Aug. 11. Sykes also proposes better enforcement of boating laws, including hiring a summer warden on the lake during high-traffic periods and requiring boaters to take tests before they can operate on Maine waters.

Other lawmakers want to submit similar bills during the 2008 session, which begins in January. Legislative leaders must vote to allow the bills to be introduced if they are to be considered.
Two people were killed when a 34-foot, high-performance boat with twin 435-horsepower engines slammed into a 14-foot boat in Harrison on Aug. 11.

Robert LaPointe Jr. of Medway, Mass., has been indicted on charges of manslaughter and operating under the influence in connection with the collision, which took the lives of Terry Raye Trott, 55, of Naples, and Suzanne Groetzinger, 44, of Berwick.

LaPointe, 38, and his passenger, 19-year-old Nicole Randall of Bridgton, were thrown into the water while their boat raced ashore. LaPointe posted bail earlier this month and was released from jail.

Under present state law, the high-powered boat that was involved in the Long Lake accident "could have been operated by a 12-year-old kid," said Sykes, who wants to set a minimum age of 16 for the operation of certain boats.

State law currently allows a 12-year-old to operate a boat of more than 10 horsepower if someone at least 16 is supervising.

SOURCE: Portland Press Herald

DATE: 10-24-2007

Lakes: Long Lake
Regions: Sebago


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