LAKE COUNTY — As Labor Day approaches, the Lake County Sheriff”s Office (LCSO) would like to remind all boaters that quagga inspections and stickers are important for the health of Clear Lake and its associated waterways.
Since the quagga ordinance was revised earlier this year, making the violation a misdemeanor instead of an infraction and increasing the base fine from $100 to $1,000, 19 citations have been issued.
While the violation was still an infraction in 2008, 2009 and 2010 a total of 107 citations were issued, according to the LCSO.
All people who are cited for this misdemeanor are considered arrested and released on their promise to appear.
Lake County law requires mandatory screening of all water vessels prior to launching in a Lake County water body. This applies to all registered water vessels, meaning any watercraft, jet skis or any vessel capable of being launched into a water body.
This does not apply to canoes, kayaks, car-top boats, float tubes, rafts, wind surfers/boards, boogey boards, non-motorized paddle boats and non-motorized sailboats that are 8-feet or less in length.
There is a ban on disposal of live bait and any liquid that contains or has contained live bait into Lake County water bodies.
The violation is a misdemeanor and carries a fine of $1,000.
For additional information, call the County Department of Water Resources at 263-2344.
The LCSO has a zero-tolerance policy and every violator is cited.
The Department of Boating and Waterways (DBW) issued a safety reminder to boaters for the upcoming Labor Day weekend.
“California”s waterways are expected to be crowded during Labor Day weekend,” DBW”s Acting Director Lucia Becerra said. “Wearing a life jacket, avoiding alcohol and maintaining a proper lookout are the top three lifesaving practices that boaters are being asked to follow for a safe and pleasant weekend.”
Life Jackets
Knowing how to swim does not make you drown-proof.
Statistics show that many boating fatalities involved boaters not wearing life jackets, getting knocked unconscious and going under the water.
A properly fitted life jacket will help keep you float until help arrives. So far this year, 17 drowning victims have been reported to DBW.
Eleven were not wearing life jackets, five were and one is unknown.
Alcohol
It is against the law to operate a boat, or be towed behind or alongside a boat with a blood alcohol concentration of 0.08 percent or more.
Designating a driver is not enough on vessels.
The concept works well in cars, but drunken passengers on boats can easily fall overboard, swim near the propeller or cause loading problems by leaning over the side or standing up in small vessels, causing them to capsize.
Everyone who drinks alcohol on board a boat is at risk. If you do drink, wear a life jacket.
Operator Inattention
Operator inattention is the leading cause of boating crashes, contributing to 35 percent of all California boating crashes last year.
While the operator is ultimately responsible for maintaining a proper lookout, it is a good idea to designate someone else on board to help watch for other traffic, especially on a large boat or in congested areas.
In addition to the top three lifesaving practices, boat operators are also encouraged to familiarize their passengers with safety equipment and how to be safe aboard their boats (e.g. keep hands inside the boat when near a dock, carbon monoxide dangers and propeller safety.
