OTHER VIEW: Be careful on the water

Editorials

July 25, 2010

Staff Reports Lockport Union-Sun & Journal The Lockport Union-Sun %26 Journal Sun Jul 25, 2010, 09:07 PM EDT

Like every summer, the area’s lakes and waterways are a popular destination for many to enjoy the hot weather. But the risk for disaster rises as more boats — and personal watercraft in particular — cruise the waters in abundance.

It’s not that there isn’t enough room on the lakes for boaters to safely enjoy, even during the busiest weekends. Rather, reckless behavior is usually to blame, such as the two incidents — one resulting in a fatality — that occurred recently.

A Wisconsin man was killed on Waneta Lake Sunday when the Jet Ski he was operating turned into the path of another Jet Ski and collided. The victim had a child on his craft who was not seriously injured.

That same day on Honeoye Lake, the operator of a personal watercraft was ticketed after he got tangled up with a boat towing two people on a tube. The two suffered minor injuries.

Obviously, carelessness contributed to both accidents.

And, according to the state, of the 27 accidents involving personal watercraft in 2008, 16 involved collisions with other vessels.

But no matter the vessel, bad things happen on the water when operators act irresponsibly.

And although there are laws regulating all watercraft, enforcement is a challenge because most agencies don’t have nearly the manpower or enough boats to patrol every lake and waterway being used. That’s a situation that will remain, or get worse, until the counties and the state again become financially stable.

In most instances, it’s up to boaters to police themselves and report dangerous situations. But that can only do so much.

Until all boaters and operators of personal watercraft obey the regulations and respect the power of their vessels, tragic and avoidable accidents on the water will continue.

— The Corning Leader

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