Patrolling the Pond
Mike Miller, Member, Lake Lotawana Homeowners Board of Directors, Sergeant at Arms.
From the Source: An Interview with Jack Jobe, Lake Lotawana Water Patrol Supervisor.
By the time mid-August rolls around and the kids have returned to school, July 4th feels like a distant memory. You will recall this past Independence Day celebration as nearly a washout on so many levels. First, one week before the biggest and busiest day of the season on the Lake, most of the Water Patrol staff resigned leaving all in the lurch. It was critical to get new staff on board and trained before the busy holiday weekend. Second, the flood that occurred the evening of July 3rd and closed the Lake the entire day of July 4th was one we will all remember for a long time. Tackling the first issue became a focus of Dave Cooley and the Rules Committee. The scramble was on to find personnel to cover the busy week and new leader to set the tone and direction for a better water patrol experience. Enter Jack Jobe.
I recently interviewed Jack and wanted to share some of our discussion with all of you. Here are some highlights:
Mike: Tell us a little about you and why you stepped into the Lake Lotawana Water Safety Manager role.
Jack: I am retired and received a call that there was a need for a Water Patrol Manager. I answered the call and decided it was a great way for me to help.
Mike: What has your experience been since taking the job?
Jack: Overall it’s been great. I have only had one issue with a Lake Resident who quickly called me to apologize. But for the most part, everyone has been very respectful and appreciative of our work.
Mike: What are some of the more common safety violations you have observed?
Jack: Plowing, Three-on-a-tube, Going the wrong direction.
Mike: Those sound pretty basic. Why do you think it happens?
Jack: We need to remind EVERYONE to review the rules again. The more they review the rules the fewer stops we will make.
Mike: What is the vision you have for the Water Patrol moving forward?
Jack: I want to change the tone and tenor that residents have of the Water Patrol. The image of the Water Patrol by the residents has been one of enforcement vs. safety. I am all about safety, being kind to one another on the lake, and trying NOT to hand out citations. I have coached my staff to first have a conversation with someone if they see a rules violation. My goal is NOT to hand out points but to ensure that safety is our main concern. If we pull someone over for a rules violation it’s easier to inform and share knowledge. It usually works well, and everyone appreciates the approach. I see it similar to being a Marshall on the golf course. We keep people moving along and ensure everyone is operating safely and in accordance with the rules. We are not here to give out points. We are here to help everyone enjoy a safe environment on the water.
Mike: What have you done to take steps to change the tone and tenor?
Jack: One thing we have done that is working well is a change in scheduling. The old schedule which has been in effect forever was two 6 hour shifts each day: 10-4 and 4-10. I changed that to have more boats on the water, especially on weekend days. We have three Water Safety Patrol boats. We should use them as much as we can during busy times. Having a presence makes a difference.
Mike: How are you sourcing your staff this year and even into next year?
Jack: I am tapping into the Central Missouri State student group as we have in the past. I also like that there are many young adults who live at the lake or have grown up here that are now interested in working here. Of course you have to be 18 to be on staff. That source really helped us this summer when we were in a pinch. The other advantage is that they know how to drive a boat and know the rules of the Lake. Finally having local young adults working on the lake may help influence their parents to be more interested in the rules of the Lake and monitor the social media feeds that can promote disinformation about the Lake rules or our Water Safety Patrol.
Mike: You have the audience of the Lake Lotawana News and our online post at lakelotawana.net. What would you like to say?
Jack: Remind everyone to review the rules regularly. It really helps with water safety, and they will learn something new each time. Be kind to each other out there on the water. Control your temper and watch out for each other. Be respectful to our Water Safety Patrol staff. We are here to help and are very fortunate to have a Lake Association that supports having a Water Safety Patrol. It’s better for everyone.
I really appreciate Jack taking some time just before heading out on a cool vacation. I was very impressed with his interest in changing the tone and tenor of the way we all view our Water Safety Patrol. Yes. They are here to monitor the rules but educating on rules on the spot is a highly effective way to ensure long-lasting learning and understanding.
If you happen to get pulled over by the Water Safety Patrol chances are you are going to learn something new or be reminded of a rule that may have changed. Be calm. Ask questions and get a better understanding of the rules. Getting and giving citations is not the objective of Jack or anyone on his team. Safety is the goal. Will citations be given? Sure. But it is likely more the exception than the rule (pun intended).
You can reach Jack at patrol@lakelotawana.net or call 816-564-8250 (also listed on the website).
This week’s Safety Seven Quiz focuses on a few rules that you will find important as the seasons change…and some that are year-rounders. See below and test your knowledge!
NOTE: Labor Day is coming! There are always special rules in place on holidays. REVIEW THE RULES HERE: https://lakelotawana.net/rules-and-regulations/
PLEASE TAKE TIME TO REVIEW THE HOLIDAY RULES. They begin at 6pm SUNDAY NIGHT, September 2nd and end Midnight of Labor Day with one notable exception… (Appendix X, p. 46 Lotawana Rules and Regulations).
- The Notable Exception: NO MORE THAN ONE PERSON (Skier, Wakeboard, Tube etc.) can be pulled behind a Watercraft on Saturday, Sunday or Monday of the Holiday weekend (3pts). (Section H, 3b, p.20).
The rules listed below begin Sunday at 6pm.
- PWC: PWC use is restricted to the hours of 2pm until 30 minutes after sunset or 100 yards of visibility, whichever shall come first.
- The Water Safety Patrol may in the sole discretion curtail skiing during periods of heavy Watercraft traffic.
- Skiing shall be permitted only during the following hours: Sunrise to 10:00am and 12:00 noon to 2pm (this includes tubing, wakeboarding, etc.).
- Wake surfing is not allowed on the described holidays (Labor Day).
- No person shall operate a sailboat in an organized or scheduled racing competition that starts before 8:00am or after 12:00noon.
If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions for future articles please send me a note at SAA@lakelotawana.net
Next Issue: Towing tips and towing skier tips. Fall at the Lake.
This Week’s Safer Seven Rules Quiz
Answer the following questions as TRUE or FALSE. The answers are below. How much do you know about Holiday Rules?
- You can tow one person behind a boat all Labor Day weekend. True or False?
- You’re riding your PWC at 12:30p on Sunday before Labor Day. You are violating the Holiday rules. True or False?
- You can wake surf on the Saturday before Labor Day. True or False?
- Holiday rules apply starting at 6pm Sunday night and continue through midnight of Labor Day. True or False?
- You can sail in a race at 3pm on Labor Day. True or False?
- Your kids want to go tubing at 12noon on Labor Day. You load up the boat to go. This is aligned with the Holiday rules. True or False?
- Your 15-year old teen is taking drivers education. She is begging to take your Wave runner for a ride around the lake before the season ends. With courage, you lean into the rulebook and let her know that she is too young to drive the wave runner. Those are the rules. True or False?
Answers
- Yes. The one-person rule applies to each day (Sat. Sun. Mon.) of Labor Day weekend.
- The regular rules for PWCs apply except on Labor Day when there are restricted hours. (See Appendix F, p. 46)
- Just not on Labor Day. No wake surfing on Labor Day.
- (Appendix F, p. 46). No person shall operate a sailboat in an organized or scheduled racing competition that starts before 8:00am or after 12:00noon.
- But remember only ONE PERSON can tube at a time on any of the three days Saturday, Sunday, or Monday of Labor Day weekend.
- You have to be 16 to drive a wave runner at Lake Lotawana. Sorry sis.