9069-R4_ML&P_LSLA_2024_SummerNewsletter_Web

Safety is No Accident! Steve Sayian & Sharon Lamontagne

T his year the Safety Patrol Program will look at lot like last year. We will be out on the water every Friday evening, all day Saturday and Sunday and weekdays during holidays. Whistles, PFD’s, ID stickers, information guides and maps will continue to be distributed as well as assisting boaters in need overall water safety education. We will again be sponsoring the extra wardens program starting Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day. Key Safety Reminders: Ø Does Anyone Else Know How to Drive The Boat – always have a 2 nd person who can operate the boat – here is what operators need to know: ✓ Is there gas in the tank? ✓ Is the battery able to start the engine? ✓ Is the ‘deadman’ switch lanyard attached to the console and to the driver? ✓ How to start the engine in Neutral and shift into Forward and Reverse? ✓ Where is the switch to turn on the running lights if needed. ✓ Where is the fire extinguisher? ✓ Where are the life jackets? Ø Kids Riding On The Bow While Underway – Very dangerous – stay inside the “playpen” of a pontoon boat while underway. Ø Wearing A Life Jacket When Alone – You never know when or how you might end up in the water, if you are alone having a life jacket on ensures your safety and ability to get out of the water. Ø Deadman’s lanyard – should always be attached – if the operator ends up out of the watercraft it is critical that the motor is shut off and a deadman’s lanyard ensures this will happen.

Moorings, Chains, Connections and Lines : Every year during storms or high-water levels we hear of boats, floats, docks, and other things breaking loose due to rusted chains, chafed lines, or other gear failures. The information below will help to minimize the loss of these items. Ø Moorings: Moorings come in many different types and sizes. The best ones are mushroom mooring anchors and granite blocks. Mushroom moorings, when properly installed, are extremely hard to pull out. Granite blocks are the next best as they lose less of their mass in water. Cement blocks are the hardest to use as they cut through any line tied to them and lose a lot of their mass in the water. Use a mooring commensurate with the size and weight of the vessel being moored.

8 LittleSebagoLake.com | Spring 2025