Jetty Island Sightings

Yesterday afternoon we took some friends on the boat to Jetty Island (accross from Everett Marina) and had a nice picnic. While there we witnessed a bunch of interesting boating practices:

- Small (20-25') sailboat motoring with 10-12 people on board (!), most of them seated on the bow with their legs dangling out...many beers in sight, but not one PFD in sight.

-Kayaker with no PFD that decided to cross the river from Jetty to the boat launch, right in front of two tugs that were hauling a huge log float. The tugs had to slow down to miss him. This guy must be related to the idiot that crossed in front of my boat at Deception Pass last week.

- A couple with four kids on a 8' inflatable. The boat had very little freeboard left and there was not a PFD in sight.

- A 26' flybridge boat coming out of Dagmar's with 7 people on the flybridge, 6 on the cockpit, and three on the forward deck. Virtually everybody was hoisting a beer and they were all acting as if they had a few too many before they left Dagmar's.

- Idiot on a Seadoo PWC/RIB that kept going back and forth between the boat ramp and Jetty Island at full tilt, leaving a huge wake in the in the no-wake area.

Oh, yeah....there were two USCG RIBS tied up at the marina guest dock. The crews were on the dock, BSing. :?

Raul

[Patriot]

I am convinced that the only way this kind of irresponsible behavior can be brought under control is with increased enforcement. I think that we have just about all the laws we need or can stand, but we often don't do a very good job of enforcing them. Here in Oregon, the legislature decided that the answer was "boater education." Okay, so now everyone (except us old farts) is supposed to have a "boater education card." But the idiots still act like idiots, and will continue to do so until they are fined off the water.

[SomeSailor]

We lost that battle earlier this year. We are gonna be smarter here too :)

[3788sam]

Raul - It seems this season has gotten worse. Our slip I have a perfect view of the channel. I've seen more boats going full tilt up and down the channel the ever before.


I agree enforcment of the current regs will do a better job then giving the grand father in boater his liscence.


A 26' flybridge boat coming out of Dagmar's with 7 people on the flybridge, 6 on the cockpit, and three on the forward deck. Virtually everybody was hoisting a beer and they were all acting as if they had a few too many before they left Dagmar's.

What gets me is that I've personally observed things like this going on in the Everett area virtually in front of the Everett Police, the Snohomish County Sheriff, and the USCG. Only once have I seen them stop anybody. Yet, I've had a few friends stopped and even boarded when there was absolutely no violation going on.

Raul

[SomeSailor]

They'll all be safer once we get our licenses issued though. :)

[beyond kelp]

We will stretch Eflat piano wire across there. The blood attracts the fish! :argh

The sad part is that all my friends that have been stopped in the last couple of years have been to the Boater's Safety Class. As a matter of fact, most of them have taken a number of advanced classes in the USPS.

Raul

[3788sam]

Yep I don't see them pulling anyone over as well! On wte windy/choppy days out there it is just plain dangerous and I look over and see the Sheriff and Everett boat tied to the fuel dock!
Even if they just cruise the channel ti would help alot and once the word gets out that few got sited! :|

[3788sam]

Once I saw someone start a camp fire with a blow torch on Jetty Island ;)

[SomeSailor]

That's how I start all of mine here. I have a Harbor Freight weed-burner connected to a 2 gallon propane bottle. Sounds like a hot air ballon... but hey... for $17.99 there is NO better way to light a firepit... (RIGHT NOW!) :D

[beyond kelp]

Good one about the torch, Ken! I have no recollection of that, Senator... :roll: