Summer is without a doubt the busiest time for fun and recreation on Lake Sidney Lanier. Believe it or not, the lake faces some of the same challenges Ga. 400 commuters encounter during busy drive times – traffic and reckless drivers. The most common complaints among boaters who are with family or fishing friends is disregard for the no wake zones and Jet Ski and Sea-Doo riders weaving in and out of larger water craft to jump waves.

Forsyth resident and boater, Jim Safano said his concern is with the high level of activity on the lake and the low level of people who follow the basic rules and laws of boating. “Unfortunately folks aren’t abiding the laws,” said Safano. “I’ve noticed a reckless operation of boats. It seems the bigger the boat, the dumber the driver.”

“I’ve noticed a reckless operation of boats. It seems the bigger the boat, the dumber the driver.”

Safano said most people are not abiding by the no wake zone rules. When running idle or while dropping anchor, all it takes is one boat zooming by closer than 100 feet and suddenly, passengers are left grabbing onto anything they can hang on to thanks to the wake created.

Kenny Haddock who operates Habersham Marina said he’s seen boaters and people on personal watercrafts violate the no wake zone around the marinas and congested areas. “I think the majority of the people violating the no-wake zones don’t know the difference when they’re in one or not,” said Haddock. “I don’t think they know what he buoys mean. We honk our horns and they look at us like they don’t know what we’re hollering about.”

Haddock said the sheriff’s office runs a water patrol unit out of Habersham and that there even are times when the officers pull out of the marina only to find themselves victims of people violating the no wake zone. “The patrol unit has had everything going from the blue lights to the sirens and people don’t even know why they’re being pulled over,” said Haddock.

The primary law enforcement agency that’s charged with making sure people follow the boat safety act is the Department of Natural Resources, law enforcement division. According to Sgt. Stephen Adams of the DNR, the act allows his office to regulate all vessels on the lake. His division enforces the no wake laws and all other boating safety regulations.

“A lot of times what we find are people with no boating knowledge,” said Adams. “They need an education. We hope that before operating any vessel – bass boat, ski boat – that people will read our boat safety book or take a free DNR or U.S. Coast Guard boating safety class. We’re always pushing safety.”

Adams said the DNR issues citations and warnings for no wake zone violations, but that more people are cited when their boat doesn’t have working lights, a fire extinguisher, a boat registration or enough life jackets for every person on board (children under the age of 10 must be in a U.S. coast guard approved life jacket at all times except when they’re in enclosed quarters). However, actual arrests do occur when the person operating the vessel is under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

“We make the BUI charge and the counties assist us [by taking them into custody],” said Adams. “Their water patrol units are very valuable to us.”

Captain Mark Hoffman of the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Department agreed saying some of the reasons he’s found that people violate the no wake zone range from boating under the influence to a lack of boating knowledge.

“Some people don’t even realize they’re in the no wake zone,” said Hoffman. “Other times alcohol is involved, and sometimes there’s just a general disregard for the no wake zone.”

Hoffman said some people have been caught boating under the influence because they were initially pulled aside for a no wake zone violation. That’s when a lot of boaters are removed from the water.

No wake zones are located near bridges, marinas, boat ramps and congested areas such as parks. Adams said the DNR defines no wake as the minimum forward propulsion necessary to obtain steerage. Exceeding that speed endangers public safety, particularly if a person is violating the 100-foot law.

“Any person in a vessel or water craft must be at idle speed when they’re within 100 feet of anything stationary such as a house, shoreline, dock or boat ramp,” said Adams. “That’s the law whether it’s posted or not.”

John Thurston, who is also an avid boater and Forsyth resident said he’s aware of the no wake zone and 100-foot rule. However, he said wakes do happen because they’re simply a part of boating.

“One hundred feet is a shorter distance than you realize,” said Thurston. “That’s about 35 yards. Distance on the lake is hard to judge. Wakes are created all the time. Even if I get off to the side and stop my boat to put on sunscreen or get a drink, if I’m near the main stream, I’m not surprised when people come by and create a wake. It doesn’t bother me. I expect it to happen.”

Another complaint among boaters is that Jet Ski and Sea-Doo riders get so busy chasing waves that they’re not paying attention to no wake zones or other safety regulations. Haddock said those are complaints his marina hears most. He also said that personal watercrafts of that sort could create enough of a wake to rock a 27-foot boat in the marina. Jet Ski and Sea-Doo riders often exceed a higher-than-idle speed, otherwise they tip or stall.

Jon Stovall, manager of Bald Ridge Marina echoed Haddock, saying most of the complaints he gets from customers regard Jet Ski’s and Sea-Doo’s. Additionally, accidents he’s seen have involved a Jet Ski and a boat versus two cruisers.

“Jet Ski’s have hurt the sport of boating,” said Stovall. “They run up behind boats and in front of boats. I wish they were outlawed, but they’re here. That’s reality. I don’t want to take anyone’s fun away, but most everyone gets hurt on one of these. They bring in more complaints than anything else.”

Stovall said a few years ago he was trying to sell a 34-foot boat to a prospective family. He took the husband and wife for a ride and as soon as they were out of the no wake zone and up to speed, the Jet Ski’s and Sea-Doo’s came out of no where.

“They covered us up like wolves after sheep,” said Stovall. “The wife decided she didn’t want to have anything to do with boating because she didn’t want to be a part of an accident. I lost the deal.”

On the other hand, Thurston said Jet Ski’s and Sea-Doo’s don’t bother him.

“I think it’s kind of cool to watch them jump the wake,” said Thurston. “As long as they’re way behind me, I think it’s actually entertaining to watch. They’re not in my way. The only trouble I can see is if they’re in front of me and they don’t know I’m behind them. As a boater, I think it’s my responsibility to give them space and to use caution while I’m driving.”

Safano said he’d like to see more DNR and sheriff’s boats on the lakes during the busiest times of day, usually around noon, versus early morning and late afternoons. He believes they’d catch more violators and serve as a reminder to boaters and Jet Skiers that they’re there to enforce safety.

“It’s disappointing that you don’t see more patrol boats during the day, especially over the weekends,” Safano said. “The marinas, deputies and DNR have got to be more proactive about safety through education. I just don’t want to see someone get hurt or killed.”

Both Thurston and Safano said as boaters, they would not be opposed to being required to take a boating safety class in order to get behind the steering wheel. Thurston said one state where he lived made it part of its legislation. When the law went into effect, the state exempted current registered boaters from safety classes, but required boating new comers to take a course. Safano added that he thought parents should exercise caution when turning over their boats to teenagers. Because you only need a driver’s license to operate a boat in the State of Georgia, he thought teens in particular should take a boat safety class before getting the keys.

Anyone interested in a boat safety class can call the Gainesville DNR at 770-535-5499. That’s also the same number boaters can call to report someone in violation of the boating laws. The DNR’s state operations can be called 24 hours a day, seven days a week in Atlanta. The number is 800-241-4113. For more information, you can also go to www.georgiawildlife.com or www.goboatga.com

To take a free Coast Guard class call 770-945-9531. Both agencies have free booklets on boat safety and can be obtained by calling the above numbers.