In response to the letter (Record-Bee, August 14) from Connel
Murray about what did ? or did not ? cause the fatal boating accident,
I strongly disagree with the line of thought. Think about it, a
drunken sailor leaves the dock in a large boat with no running lights
and thinks, that”s o.k.?
Now you want to blame a person in a power boat that believes
? and has the right to believe ? that anyone operating a boat is not
drunk, and if at night, will have running lights on to warn others of
their presence. In other words, it”s your belief that the person following
the law is some how to blame.
I have boated on this lake at night for over 20 years. There never
has been a speed limit on this lake at night. There is a law requiring
running lights and anchor lights to be used while on the lake at night.
There is a law forbidding drunken boating. In my mind, it”s offensive,
stupid, and dangerous to promote that it”s ok to get drunk and operate
a boat any time, but especially at night on this or any waterway
without lights.
Those of us that respect and follow the boating laws have a right to
expect all boaters to do the same. In reality, this accident should have
and could have been avoided had the drunken sailor simply stayed at
the dock instead of breaking the law.
If you are drunk, don”t drive a car, a boat, or a plane. It doesn”t matter.
If you are driving, boating, or flying at night, then use the lights.
Accept the fact you are wrong, admit to your guilt, and quit trying to
blame others for your placing yourself above the law and endangering
others.
And yes, I do sometimes travel at a high rate of speed on the lake at
night. It”s my choice and it”s legal. So please, if you are going to get
drunk while in your boat, stay at anchor and turn on your lights, or
stay at the dock and help make the lake safe for the rest of us that use
the lake at night and obey the law.
Larry Heine
Lakeport
