Dealing with rowers.

[gim]

4 minutes ago, Bankc said:

It's best to just let these things slide when they happen.

 

I generally agree with you, doesn't do much good to get upset about it.  Just makes me more upset.  I'd rather move on quickly.

 

In this specific case, I don't see the problem going away on its own.  I am responsible for my own safety and the safety of my boat, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let another rower plow into me again out there.  Watch where you're going and pay attention.  Please.

[Functional]

29 minutes ago, CountryboyinDC said:

I do wonder how you get that easily accessible deer urine (unless you'retalking Tinks 69 or something along those lines), but don't feel like you have to share.

Haha! yea you can get off the shelf stuff but if you know the right people in the country you can get it without much hassle. I dont use the stuff but you hang around the deer processing places or old back of the woods gun clubs and you can hear a lot.

 

For this purpose, dogs, cow, etc will work...hell if you drink enough on the boat you can make your own 😂

[Bankc]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

 

I generally agree with you, doesn't do much good to get upset about it.  Just makes me more upset.  I'd rather move on quickly.

 

In this specific case, I don't see the problem going away on its own.  I am responsible for my own safety and the safety of my boat, and I'll be damned if I'm gonna let another rower plow into me again out there.  Watch where you're going and pay attention.  Please.

I don't blame you for getting upset.  I think we all would be.  And you're right, the problem probably won't go away on it's own.  In fact, I'd bet it's not going to go away at all.  My suspicion is, no matter what you say or do, they're just gonna keep on doing what they always do.  So I'd say, if you see one pointed at you, go ahead and assume they're going to hit you again.  We have to look out for each other.  Even the dumb ones.  ESPECIALLY the dumb ones.  It how we look out for ourselves. 

 

And you can't get mad at dumb people for being dumb.  They're dumb.  So they can't understand that what they're doing is dumb.  And they can't understand that they are really dumb, because they're not smart enough to see it.  If they were smart enough to know how dumb they were, then they wouldn't be dumb.  And they wouldn't do dumb things, because they'd know these things are dumb, and no one actually wants to, or believes they do dumb things. 

[Standard]

On 9/3/2024 at 3:04 PM, A-Jay said:

Another example of how no one knows there are even rules.

 

https://www.boatoutfitters.com/right-of-way-rules-you-really-should-know-learn-content?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw59q2BhBOEiwAKc0ijU_VI-pZ-AFVSgi_vWBgdlSNM_17hJ-mNY4D8h8t8qguYEdZMzH-4xoCUVsQAvD_BwE#paddlecraft

 

A-Jay

From the MN boating guide:

https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/boatwater/boatingguide.pdf

 

Probably a good idea to check your state regulations.

 

I'm not saying that what the row team did here was right, but from the looks of it I'll bet more than a few folks here get upset at cyclists riding on the road as well.

 

[gim]

I submitted an inquiry/complaint to the DNR about rowers on this specific lake.

 

While I do agree that a motorized watercraft is more maneuverable than a rower, that doesn't give anyone the right to just go where you want without regularly checking to ensure there aren't obstacles ahead.  Everyone in operation has a responsibility to be safe on the water.

 

I will report back with what the DNR says on this subject.

[J._Bricker]

1 hour ago, gimruis said:

I submitted an inquiry/complaint to the DNR about rowers on this specific lake.

 

While I do agree that a motorized watercraft is more maneuverable than a rower, that doesn't give anyone the right to just go where you want without regularly checking to ensure there aren't obstacles ahead.  Everyone in operation has a responsibility to be safe on the water.

 

I will report back with what the DNR says on this subject.

Hey @gimruis I’ve been following this thread and sounds like you’re taking a step in the right direction in getting things resolved. I believe the rowers might collectively need to be educated and it might be suggested they restrict their activities to a certain section of the lake. However, I believe “the doctrine of the last chance” regarding the collision could be applicable just as it would to a traffic accident on a roadway.

 

I look forward to your reporting back and how the information could help us out on the water.

[gim]

Below is the response I've received from the DNR.  I forwarded my issue to the Conservation Officer listed, as I do believe when they are  "passing" when we meet in the channel where the collision was.  Additionally, when I am fishing, they are "overtaking" me, since I am mostly stationary using my bow mount.  This is what occurs to me most frequently out there, although that hasn't resulted in a collision yet.  Just a bunch of near misses.  I will re-post what the CO says in response.

 

Thank you for contacting the MN DNR Info Center.

 

I think I would start with your county sheriff. Since X Lake is not contained within DNR property, that office has jurisdiction over the surface of the water. They issue permits for events on the water, and would know if any permits are required for the rowers to use it like this, and if they are complying with the requirements of the permits. Ramsey County non-emergency is 651-767-0640.

 

If you feel that the rowers are not following the safe boating laws, that would be a DNR issue. Page 27 in the MN Boating Guide says

            Nonmotorized craft

            Nonmotorized craft (sailboats, canoes, etc) have the right-of-way over motorized craft in all situations, except when the nonmotorized craft is overtaking or passing.

So if you are meeting them, you would have to yield, but they are “overtaking or passing” you, they would need to go around. That kind of rule is one you could discuss with the local Conservation Officer as well. For X Lake you’d talk to Steve Chihak at steven.chihak@state.mn.us or 218-244-9141.

 

Please feel free to contact us if you have any other questions. You can reach us by email, or by phone at 651-296-6157, and we’re available from 8-600, Monday-Friday, and 8-430 on Saturday. Anyone here will be happy to help you.

  

Have a great day,

 

Barb

DNR Information Consultant

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources

500 Lafayette Rd.

St. Paul, MN 55155

Phone: 888-646-6367 Email: Info.dnr@state.mn.us

[gim]

Another update.  The local Conservation Officer who has jurisidiction just called me and we had a conversation about this in detail.

 

He said that if I am "underway" being that I am using my main outboard, I have an obligation to avoid rowers (and other nonmotorized watercraft), which I always do.

 

While I am fishing using my bow mount, it is their obligation to avoid me, since I am not considered "underway" anymore, and they are overtaking or passing me.  Additionally, in the no-wake zone, each watercraft is required to stay on their own side of the channel while passing each other to avoid a collision.

 

He is going to also contact and have a discussison with the "rowing team" that is out there on a frequent basis about watching for obstacles (including other watercraft like me) while rowing on the lake.

 

In the meantime, he said "I would still do what you could to avoid a future collision.  Using your horn is a good idea, just like you would on the road in a car."

[TnRiver46]

This guy went by me within 10-15 feet this evening, he gave a wide berth on the return trip down river (in the photo). He was so close the first time I didn’t want to take a pic haha