A MESSAGE FROM THE LOON LAKE CONSTABLE…ARNOLD JENSEN
The Town of Chester Constable, Arnold Jensen, will be patrolling the lake again this year. The focus of the patrol will be to encourage safe and considerate boating.

Rules and regulations are the same as last year except that starting January 1, 2006, New York State law requires all PWC (jet ski) operators to be at least 14 years of age*. The minimum age to operate a power boat is still 10 years. All PWC operators and power boat operators must have a safe boating certificate.

A Safe Boating Course for children 11-18 years of age will again be offered at the Loon Lake Marina on July 5-7. Courses are also given throughout the state. See www.nysparks.com/boats for a list of course offerings around New York State. Certificates issued by many other states are accepted, but absolutely no on-line courses qualify.

Once again, the Constable will be stopping boats for safety inspections and issuing inspection stickers. Remember:

• All boats and PFCs must be properly registered (current sticker).
• The operator and every passenger must have a serviceable PFD (life jacket).
• Children under 12 must wear their PFD.
• Other required safety equipment include a whistle or horn, appropriate operating lights, and most boats must carry a fire extinguisher.

Key enforcement issues that the Constable will be looking out for are:

• Reckless (unsafe) operation
• Pulling a skier, tuber, etc. without a spotter
• Pulling a skier, tuber, etc. after sundown
• PWC operation after 7:00pm or before 9:00 am.
• PWC or boat operation at speeds greater than 5mph within 100 feet (200 feet for PWC’s) of shore or other solid objects (including docks, rafts and other boats)

Please also remember that power boats and PWCs are inherently noisy, especially when operated at higher speeds. Be considerate of others and do not operate a noisy vessel for extended periods in any one area. Also, boats that create large wakes should try to stay as far from shore as possible.

Anyone who has a question about boating regulations or wants to report ongoing unsafe boating should contact the Constable at 494-3581. Have a safe and enjoyable boating season.

*Until December 31, 2008, children currently between 11 and 13 years of age will be allowed to operate a PWC, but only under very specific controlled conditions. Please see the Constable for details.