Black Mountain, NH OPEN AGAIN more alive than ever

[deadheadskier]

You can have some of our lake authorities. 4 different ones on a lake the eighth of the size of Winnipesaukee. Sure there are some who overdo it but 4 different authorities? It is overkill and really just a way for the towns (or little fifedoms) around the lake to try and make revenue. It's not like anything has changed since there was only the State Police out there.

Interesting. So there are different jurisdictions for different parts of the lake? Winnipesaukee has one main base, which actually houses marine patrol dispatch for the entire state including saltwater. But then around the lake they have boats docked in all of the town harbors. But you rarely see them anywhere on the water. I have to imagine there's at least ten MP boats and dozens of officers. They just sit around and wait for someone to report a problem.

 

[JDMRoma]

Greater OUI enforcement on lakes would be completely welcomed by me personally. There's basically no Marine Patrol active enforcement for anything on Winnipesaukee. They have absolutely massive resources and are 100% a reactionary force. I'd welcome being pulled over for a safety check. Hasn't happened once in my six years on the lake and I'm there almost every single dry day the temps are above 60 and I'm not working.

5 towns worth of free docking with probably 50+ bars within walking distance of the docks. Drunks all over the water on weekends. I captain with my head on a swivel. It's a big enough lake and I know how to avoid the high traffic areas, but it's still a problem.

There are WAY too many boaters who don't view OUI in boats the same as they do cars.

Agree ! been like that for years tho ! when I was living and boating in southern nh saturday and sunday afternoons were absolutely shit shows with all the drunks
I would ski from 6am till about 11, then put my boat up on the lift and watch the insanity ! Didnt help with a Bar on the lake !

 

[snoseek]

If.i was a cop who wanted to enforce I would linger around country clubs. Soooo much drunk driving coming out of those places.

 

[AdironRider]

When I was out West the cops would hang out at the boat ramps and inspect everyone. You would get a sticker that showed you passed and they would not bother you again for the rest of the year. I liked that system. Kept people honest but not abused.

I'm surprised there is such a lack of proactive enforcement on Winni but I suspect that comes down to the State / Towns not wanting to bite the hand that feeds. Without the lake and boating culture, that entire region is hurting big time. No one wants to get hassled every time they cast off.

Jackson on the other hand has no need to Black to exist ultimately. I also don't think the bar owners threaten lawsuits every time someone gets a DUI like Erik wants to do. Basically the Towns and the respective authorities have a mutual respect for each other that seems to be lacking in the relationship for Black.

 

[4aprice]

Interesting. So there are different jurisdictions for different parts of the lake? Winnipesaukee has one main base, which actually houses marine patrol dispatch for the entire state including saltwater. But then around the lake they have boats docked in all of the town harbors. But you rarely see them anywhere on the water. I have to imagine there's at least ten MP boats and dozens of officers. They just sit around and wait for someone to report a problem.

Don’t want to derail this thread anymore but just want say the 4 authorities seem to have full run of the lake. The line between Morris and Sussex counties runs right up the middle of the lake but one of them (Morris County Sheriff’s) are all over the place so town nor county lines have no bearing on what they can or cannot do.

Now back to Black NH. Where I hope everything works out. Always interested since the owners are out in the same place we have our condo in Colorado

 

[deadheadskier]

I like the boat ramp inspection idea, but it wouldn't really help much on Winnipesaukee. Probably 95% of the boats on the lake, live on the lake at private homes or marinas. Very few free public launches and the private launches all charge $30-50 to splash a boat and then more money on top of that for parking. Mainly fishermen use the launches.

I'm not sure what the reason is for lack of enforcement. I think some of the lack of enforcement is the patrolers are all typically very young. They take the easy and fun six month assignment after the academy then move on to a full time gig.

The vast majority of the economic benefit to the state from the lake is property taxes, not tourism revenue. The cumulative value of the real estate on the lake is north of $16B.
Marine Patrol could enforce like crazy and those that move on would be easily replaced. Massive demand for marina spots and waterfront homes as there isn't a lake like it anywhere in the Northeast. If you want a slip at a good marina, the wait-list is 5 years for rental only marinas or you're paying $200k to buy a slip at the condo marinas. $200k just for a boat slip. Bananas