Patrolling the Pond-February 19th Edition

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Patrolling the Pond

Won’t be long now…and Never to Early!

By Mike Miller

Most President’s Days at Lotawana don’t afford the opportunity to hit the water. The ice has relented its nearly month long stay and as far as I can see, the water is clear. Even the backs of coves are free from ice. I went down to check out the dock and a fishing boat cruised by. This week is going to be unseasonably mild with temps in the 70s for several days. While I pain for warmer weather all the time I also think a few more days of cool air would be ok. I’m sure this fake spring will find its way back into memory in a week or two. But as we edge closer to spring, the timing is right to review a few of the rules and regulations that make our lake great and keep it safe. This week’s focus? Who CAN and CANNOT operate powered watercraft. It’s never too early to review the rules.

Some of the most important rules we have on the lake is who is allowed to operate powered watercraft and who is not. Why does it matter? It’s all about safety. It’s also about risk. Before I detail out what can be found in black and white in our rules and regulations, I would like to first address why it matters to follow these rules AND ensure everyone in your family does as well. There are no gray areas when it comes to these longstanding rules. Our rules have been developed over many years with a goal of promoting safe and responsible water activities that can be enjoyed without putting anyone at risk. Suffice it to say that if you or one of your family members decide that these rules are nice but optional, YOU PUT EVERYONE ON THE LAKE AT RISK! It’s the reason why we have such severe thumps when these types of violations occur. Regardless of how long or short of time you have owned property on the lake,  you know the rules. You received them the first day you moved in. There are no excuses. Oh and we have heard it all. “Well George’s step-and-half brother-in-law of a second cousin has always loved to come out here to fish after work during the week. He’s not hurting anyone.” Or this classic, “I mean let’s face it, my son is driving on roads now and I told him he could ride our PWC with some friends. What’s the big deal?”  Or my personal favorite and quite a gem, “Well our grandkids only come into town once every summer, their close to driving (15 years now) and they love the wave runner.”  Sorry. When you put people on power craft strictly against the rules you jeopardize everyone on the water. Period. Stop.

I like to write this column as a lighter side of lake life. Sorry for a little heavier hand on this topic but it seems every year we deal with a few members who think the rules don’t apply to them. They apply equally to everyone for one huge reason: SAFETY!  So, for review, here they are in black and white (Section III, Part E, p. 11 of the Lake Lotawana Rules and Regulations):

  • An owner or family member (see definition below) must be present when any non-resident operates any powered watercraft. If the owner is a skier, that is considered present. Non-resident operators must meet age requirements and follow all other rules and regulations.
  • For non-motorized watercraft (kayaks, etc.) non-resident operators must be within sight of the registered owner or family member.
  • Horsepower limits on watercraft apply by AGE as follows:
    1. <9 years: Not authorized to operate powered watercraft.
    2. 9 years old: Up to 5hp and minimum of 14ft.
    3. 10 years old: Up to 10hp
    4. 12 years old: Up to 20hp
    5. 14 years old: Up to 40hp
    6. 16 years old: no limits apply.
  • NO PERSON UNDER 16 shall operate a PWC (6 points). This means not even driving a PWC with someone of age and ownership riding along.
  • NO PERSON UNDER 17 shall operate a PWC unless they have completed the State of Missouri Water Patrol Water Safety Course (6 points). If you are 16 but have not turned 17 you MUST have completed the course to operate a PWC.

Who is considered a “family member” when it comes to privileges? This is an often misunderstood or loosely followed part of the rules that leads to unauthorized riders of PWCs or drivers of watercraft on the lake. NOTE THE FOLLOWING: Family Members that are considered IMMEDIATE FAMILY of the registered owner and spouse include: grandparent(s), parent(s), spouse(s), son and daughter-in-law, child(ren), grandchild(ren). (Section II, #20, p. 5, Lake Lotawana Rules and Regulations). Your second cousin, Vinny is NOT considered immediate family.

It’s important to note these operator requirements and set appropriate expectations BEFORE guests arrive. It’s also very important that every member of your family that is included in the “Immediate Family,” list understand the operator requirements. As an owner, you will be responsible for all guests and your immediate family members’ decision.

I don’t want to be a Donnie Downer on this topic. Our guests can enjoy the lake in many ways and enjoy it with you. I have never had a guest leave or get upset when I tell them the rules and set the expectation. I have also made sure that my entire family know the rules. And I am not afraid to be the “bad guy” when it comes to implementing the rules consistently. One of the issues that sometimes comes up is that guests don’t know the rules, aren’t informed, or just think one lake is like another. We know that isn’t the case.

Our rules are in place to promote safe and fun use of our wonderful asset. As owners we all know what we signed up for when we made the investment.  No excuses. No one wants to have anyone lose their lake privileges but each year it happens. And it can all be prevented.  What will you do this year, 2026 to make sure that your entire family knows the rules and applies them consistently? Even if you have been a lake resident for many years, a review of the rules is a good idea. I would encourage EVERYONE to take a few minutes to review the operator rules and requirements with every in your family. An ounce of prevention is worth more than a bunch of points or losing your privileges. While the sun may be making for some nice weather, the rules we live by are black and white. As the ice melts, warmer temps arrive, and spring inevitably makes its real (not fake) debut, we want everyone to enjoy a safe and fun return to the pond!  See you there!

Safer Seven Quiz.

You guessed it. It is all about what you know about who can and cannot operate a powered watercraft on the Lake. Let’s see how well you know the rules!

Anwer True of False to the following statements:

  • Your 16-year-old daughter has been excited about taking the PWC out on her own this year. You tell her she has to take the Missouri Water Patrol Safety Course first. She balks and says not now that she’s 16. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE! She needs to take the safety course before you hand over the keys. This may be the ONE TIME you are right all summer J but you are correct.
  • A 16-year-old guest can drive a PWC as long as an owner or family member is riding along. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE! They can only drive with an owner or family member along IF they have taken the Missouri Water Patrol Safety course. I personally don’t let guests drive my PWCs but that is a personal preference.
  • You 17-year-old son is having some buddies out for a lake day. You plan on being there all day. He asks if he can take his friends out for a pontoon ride. You say yes. You are following the rules. TRUE or FALSE. TRUE! Of course your son should know and follow all of the rules of the lake and be experienced driving the pontoon because you are responsible for any infraction of the rules. 17-year-olds family members can operate any size motorized watercraft. NOTE: If this was a speedboat you might well have taught him how NOT to plow.
  • Your daughter’s 10th birthday is coming up in May. You decide to buy her a small boat with a 9.9 hp motor. She can take it out on her own after her 10th TRUE or FALSE? TRUE! I recommend some training ahead of time but 9.9hp motors are great for beginners. Also, make sure she follows all of the rules regarding wearing a personal flotation device. I bought my son a 9.9 small fishing boat, the Green Hornet, for his 10th Birthday. It was a great learning experience (albeit the motor was not always predictable…another great learning experience).
  • You must be 17 to ride a PWC at the Lake. TRUE or FALSE. FALSE. You must be 17 AND a family member of an owner (as defined by family member). It’s not a bad idea to have anyone under 18 take the Missouri Water Patrol Water Safety course.
  • Your 70-year-old grandfather wants to take your fishing boat out fishing. You tell him he has to be an owner at the lake to drive the boat. Are you correct? TRUE or FALSE? Grandparents of owners are considered immediate family members. Make sure gramps knows how to drive a boat and maybe take him for a spin around the lake to show him the ropes.
  • The primary objective of Operator Rules on the lake is to prevent fun and a good time. TRUE or FALSE? FALSE! The primary reason for ALL of our RULES is to promote safety and ensure that everyone can enjoy the lake!  We can all play at the lake when we know that safety comes first.

We are ALL WATER SAFETY. It starts with conversations you have with your family members that continue through the summer.