More deaths at Pyramid Lake :(

Brian D. · Post by **Brian D.** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 11:05 am

Sad to say, but its becoming more and more frequent at this lake. More enforcement on the water and stop with the BS parking lot tickets.

http://www.signalscv.com/section/36/article/122982/

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 11:24 am

How can the lake's concession operator's liability insurance not have to crack down? If I had a fatality on one of my jobs CAL OSHA would be there in a heartbeat, and my liability insurance co. would have me on the hot seat, asking why I shouldn't have my ins. cancelled.
They let too many PWC and ski boat onto that lake, without the necessary oversight from the Sheriffs to be sure they stay a safe distance from fishing boats. And they sell beer in the lake store.
How many of us have been cut off by PWC's, or taken wakes over the side from skiers passing way too close?
There is no attempt to educate them with handouts and instructions when they pay to enter about safe distances, responsibility for their own wakes, and safe boating in general.
Remind me again why there is no license required to operate a boat?

poacher · Post by **poacher** » Fri Jul 04, 2014 10:54 pm

Sounds like they need a designated jet ski area or do it like puddingstone jet skis on even days wakeboards on odd days during the busy summer time

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 2:31 am

poacher wrote:Sounds like they need a designated jet ski area or do it like puddingstone jet skis on even days wakeboards on odd days during the busy summer time

They need something, for sure!

Noluk · Post by **Noluk** » Sat Jul 05, 2014 7:09 pm

PWC??? In a solo bass boat tragedy? Nobody knows yet why the bassboat nearly sunk but it is terrible to hear. Prayers for the family in what has to be a terrible time for them. Another call to wear PFD's and keep safety first in our thoughts as we fish.

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Sun Jul 06, 2014 6:13 am

I fished there yesterday. We were back in Brazos, on the east side throwing frogs, and a family towing a young girl slowly in a wake boat went by less than 50' from us. It threw several big wakes over my bow. If I hadn't been paying attention, it could easily have thrown me from the boat.
I hollered at them, but they were so busy filming her with their GoPro on a stick they never even knew we were there.
I spoke to the concession workers at the kiosk, and they say it's the Sheriffs' job to enforce safety on the lake, and they have no say in it, but a flyer with safe boating tips and Coast Guard regs couldn't hurt. If they can sell crap at the entry kiosk and hold up the line, they can take the time to educated a little. I'm sure we'd put up with a little delay if it meant these folks were more courteous on the water.

Brian D. · Post by **Brian D.** » Sun Jul 06, 2014 6:53 am

Exactly Mark. Wake boats or other deep draft boats could have easily swamped their small boat. No one would have even know until after the fact. As for education, Castaic is a decent example of boaters following the rules by handouts and active enforcement from the Life Guards. Curious: why do the LA County lakes (Castaic and Puddingstone) use life guards to patrol the their lakes?

mark poulson · Post by **mark poulson** » Sun Jul 06, 2014 8:47 am

Brian D. wrote:Exactly Mark. Wake boats or other deep draft boats could have easily swamped their small boat. No one would have even know until after the fact. As for education, Castaic is a decent example of boaters following the rules by handouts and active enforcement from the Life Guards. Curious: why do the LA County lakes (Castaic and Puddingstone) use life guards to patrol the their lakes?

Brian,
I think it really started when that boat flipped at Castaic while they were testing it. LA County probably got scared (maybe they got sued) and decided, rightly so, that, since they were controlling public use of the water, they were responsible for public water safety.
I guess you pays your money and you makes your choice. Either wide open and dangerous, like Pyramid, or regulated, safer, and a small pain in the neck, like Castaic.
I'd rather have the lifeguards. They actually do care about all of us.