Lessons Learned from the 2019 Boating Season

By Pat Massa, SML Water Safety Council

Each spring, the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF) publishes the Boating Incident Report from the previous season. To get included, mishaps must meet one or more of four qualifying characteristics: (1) Damages of over $2000 by or to the vessel or its equipment; (2) An injury requiring medical assistance beyond first aid; (3) Loss of life; (4) Disappearance of any person from a vessel.

During 2019, there were 89 such incidents on Virginia waters, involving 94 vessel, 35 injuries and 20 fatalities. Alcohol was a known factor in 20% of the fatalities. Paddle craft (canoes kayaks and paddleboards) were involved in 10% of fatal incidents. In all but one (95%) of the fatal incidents no life jacket was worn.

A few more specifics: As you would expect, most incidents happen during prime season, though in 2019 nearly 75% of November incidents resulted in loss of life.  Cold weather months definitely require those on the water be extra careful and prepared. The vessel type most typically  involved is “Open Motorboat.” Leading locations of boating Incidents are the Chesapeake Bay followed by our own Smith Mountain Lake. The most frequent types of fatality incidents are “collision with a fixed object” and “capsizing.” About 50% of the boats involved are 16 to 26 feet and the highest percentage of involved operators are age 56 and over (37%). The most common cause of fatality is falling overboard. Of the 20 deaths, nineteen victims were not wearing life jackets (the other fatality involved improper wearing of a PFD).

Specific to Smith Mountain Lake: No drownings occurred at SML in 2019—exactly the result your Water Safety Council works hard to achieve. That’s an improvement from both 2017 and 2018 when there was one fatality each year, though none of those involved a boat and thus were not reported as “boating incidents.”

Since the enactment of the safe boating law, incidents have decreased significantly, attesting to the value and importance of boating education. What do we need to do to keep ourselves and others safe?  First, everyone aboard a vessel should be wearing a life jacket. Should they find themselves in the water, their chances of survival are dramatically improved. Second, boat operators must remain unimpaired by alcohol or drugs and appoint a crew member to act as a lookout to warn of hazards.

Throughout the year, you will see articles on these and other water safety topics from members of the Water Safety Council. Pay attention and take their recommendations with you on the water. Sign up for one the new Boating Education refresher courses (listed at VDGIF.gov). Make sure you, your boat and your crew are prepared for a safe boating season.

Be safe and courteous out there….that’s how you avoid becoming part of the statistics!

Patrick Massa  Chair- SMLA Water Safety Council

SMLA Supports Community-based Cleanup

Smith Mountain Lake Association (SMLA) is committed to protecting the water of SML and providing safe recreation. Accordingly, SMLA participates in an ongoing debris removal effort during our annual spring marquee event, Take Pride in SML, in collaboration with the SML Regional Chamber of Commerce and TLAC. Traditionally, this all-volunteer event pulls over 40 tons of debris from our lake. However, this year as SML homeowners were faced with COVID-19 canceling the Take Pride event, our watershed experienced three high water events resulting in significant debris and trash causing unsightly waterways and dangers to navigation.

Always committed to their mission, SMLA rose to the challenge by coordinating

an interim response to fill the gap by reimbursing organized neighborhoods up to $500 for their dumpster and disposal costs while cleaning up their coves.  A special emphasis for this year’s event focused on making sure participants were able to follow reasonable social distancing guidelines.

Indian Pointe Home Owners Association first initiated their cleanup in June, providing fourteen members and two pontoon boats to clean up debris that covered their cove and out into the main channel. Their impressive efforts sparked SMLA’s reimbursement initiative.

On July 18, 24 Walnut Run Property Owners Association residents participated in SMLA’s special cleanup event held at the Walnut Run Marina. Walnut Run participants provided 3 pontoon boats and 3 kayaks to help collect trash along approximately 2 miles of shoreline and cove areas. A member’s front loader was used to help place collected debris into the dumpster. Additionally, members of the SML Power Squadron assisted Walnut Run with debris collection and disposal.

Scores of bags filled with plastic bottles, Styrofoam blocks and cups, glass bottles and other man-made debris were collected and disposed.  Logs as long as twenty feet with limbs still attached were also cut and disposed. Together, the cleanup effort resulted in over 10 tons of trash and debris.

SMLA is proud to support these volunteer efforts and recognizes their community spirit.   Membership and charitable donations support the good work of SMLA, so we need your help to continue our mission to protect the water of Smith Mountain Lake. Please visit our website for more information on the work that SMLA performs or how you can support our continued efforts at www.smlassociation.org. It is our best and most efficient insurance for maintaining our property values and preserving our treasure – The Jewel of the Blue Ridge.

SMLA seeking nominations for Melvin S. Johnston Award

Smith Mountain Lake Association invites nominations from its members for the Melvin S. Johnston Citizen Volunteer Award. This award is presented to the individual or individuals, that SMLA feels made the greatest contribution to Smith Mountain Lake and to the quality of life around the lake in the prior calendar year or over an extended time period.

Selection will be made by the Board of Directors of SMLA based on any of the following contributions:

1. Impact on SML environmental issues

2. Improvements to water safety

3. Management of lake maintenance issues

4. Implementation of projects/ programs of the Smith Mountain Lake Association

5. Leadership

6. Lake and/or community stewardship

Please send your nomination along with your reasons for nomination to Theoffice@smalassociation.org by Thursday, August 13, 2020.

Please note that previous recipients of the award are not eligible.

Safety Notes from SML Water Safety Council

Protect Your Children  –  Child Safety While Boating

By Neil Harrington, SML Water Safety Council

Boating at SML is a great family activity. Towing the children around on a tube, beaching the boat for an afternoon picnic or pulling into the guest docks at one of the local waterfront restaurants–all make for a fun day on the lake.  Keeping children safe while boating is your responsibility. Here are a few things to consider:

All children—even confident swimmers–should wear a properly fitted PFD anytime they are around the water, whether they are playing on the dock or riding in the boat. Don’t give in to the, “But I know how to swim!” plea.  The lake environment is all-together different than the neighborhood pool with lifeguards and crystal clear water.

All passengers, especially children, should be seated while the boat is in operation and remain seated until the Captain tells them it is ok to get up.  Sudden changes in direction or getting hit by a wake can easily eject a child from the boat or bang them against a fixed object.

Children are fascinated with water running under the bow of a boat. They want to watch it and may even reach down to touch it.  However, never allow children to hang over the bow or dangle their feet over the bow of a moving boat.  A child falling from the bow of a moving boat will be struck by the prop before the Captain has any time to take evasive action.  It only takes a second.

Approaching and departing docks is a busy time for the Captain and the crew. Teach your children the importance of remaining seated while the Captain and designated crew take care of docking activities.  Children can easily fall overboard because of sudden changes in direction.  And never allow children to jump to the dock from a boat until it is safely secured.

When towing children in a tube, keep your speed down and make adjustments as necessary.  Tubes have a tendency to “sling shot” through turns and bounce uncontrollably going over wakes. Childrens’ heads can easily bang together, resulting in concussions or other serious injuries.

Boating is a fun family activity.  Keep your children safe and enjoy boating here at Smith Mountain Lake.