Bass Fishing Forum - Westernbass.com

I was at Diamond Valley today fishing to the right (north) side of the inlet/outlet near the orange buoys. When I was leaving I idled past the "Shallow Area" buoy and saw that I was in 6-7 feet of water. When I was 20' past the buoy I heard an awful noise under my boat and put it in neutral. When the noise stopped I saw a large piece of steel at a 45 degree angle about 2 inches under the water. It looked like it may have been used to hold the buoy at some time and was now just sticking up from the bottom covered with moss. I went to the store to report the incident so they could mark the area to prevent future damage. I asked the lake General Manager if they were going to cover my damage and he said NO, that is something you have to expect when boating. I tried to reason with him telling him that someone put that there unmarked and they need to take responsibility for it. He said he would take an incident report and turn it in but nothing would happen to fix my boat.

Is this FAIR???

Thanks, John.

Sorry to say but you're SOL.

Bummer. That sucks.

A while back my vehicle was damaged in the parking lot that was forestry owned. It was a piece of rebar sticking out of a parking spur and snagged he bottom of my bumper and ripped it. I filed a report on the phone with the ranger's in that area and eventually they payed for it. It wouldn't hurt to try to make a report. If nothing happens i'm sure your boaters insurance will cover it.

Are you sure it was steel and not just a big tree limb? That spot has a bunch of good trees and brush on the side of it. Rick G.

I know exactly what piece of metal he's talking about, as I've seen it in there before. It is definitely steel, not a limb. It's right on the high spot.

I do not see this as a responsability of the Concessionair, if that was the case who does KVD sue for hitting a railroad tie on the delta? It is the boaters responsability to safley boat and the insurance companies responsability to pay when we hit stuff that is unmarked.

I know that when I am boating in a area that I am uncertain of I slow down and check it out, marked or not. As you will want to let the water and power district or whoever know about the obstruction it is our job to boat safley.

How about a coordinate so we don't hit it?

If you guys can remember, the bouy lines used to cover a larger area, farther away from the tower. Last year the lines were moved in closer to the tower so as to allow more fishing area.

I believe the pole in question is one that was previously used to secure the bouy line, prior to being relocated.

Here is a couple of numbers for you to call, but you didn't get it from me. I still have to work here. At least I want to anyway. I think you know what I mean.

Jill Wicke (she is in charge of all DVL) (213) 217-6306

Don Forsyth (DVL Team Manager) (951) 926-7163

dforsyth@mwdh2o.com

Good luck.

Thanks Art!!! MUMS the word!!!

Hawghunter, although I agree with you in theory, I think the Delta is a far cry from DVL. When something like that piece of steel is attached permanently to the bottom on a shallow hump by lake staff, it should be marked and if no longer in use; removed. I was ilding out of the area as many anglers do in that area when I hit the steel post that was just at water level (depth was 6-7 feet).

I did report it and it has been taken care of.

In addition to that, I spoke to an angler there today (Friday) that told me he reported that same exact post to lake staff 2 weeks ago when it was about 6 inches or so under water. It should have been handled then.

John.

John,
I agree. If it a man-made pole, used by the lake to anchor bouys, and then abandoned, whoever moved the bouy line and abandoned it has the responsibility to bouy it, or mark it in some fashion, at the least.

John,

I work for a large MWD member water agency in the area. File the "Incident Report" with as much detail a possible. Photos do wonders in these matters. (Photos of boat damage and the steel structure @ the I/O Tower if possible). They should be more than responsive to your claim.

The guys at the marina have no idea what their responsible for in regards to these types of matters.

Mike Lewis

Thanks guys for your input. I will post the results regarding the issue.

John Hagins

Let me know if you need any more help. I work for MWD, and I have all the contacts.

IF YOU CAN CALL WHAT ART DOES WORK

I get paid so it must be a job.