October 28th Edition Patrolling the Pond
by Mike Miller, Director, Lake Lotawana Home Owners Association, Sergeant at Arms
A Chance Encounter with a Legend.
On one of the cooler days last week, I caught myself out a little later on the water than anticipated. The sun just sets so early these in these final days of October. I was fishing along the shore just south of Bandit Bay thinking I would fish into the cove and work my way around until it was too dark to see. At that moment I noticed one of the pristine wood boats we have on the lake approaching from the starboard side. Twilight was overpowering daylight, and I was stationary hoping to get one more, nice largemouth in the boat before wrapping the day. A few minutes earlier I had put my anchor light on the back of my 188 Ranger knowing that it was more about people seeing me than me seeing them. As the woody approached I could tell from its silhouette it was a vintage Chris Craft but one that I hadn’t seen on the lake before. I enjoy the nostalgia the wood boats bring to the lake and have practically memorized each one that calls Lotawana home. This one I didn’t recognize. Strange. As it slowly approached I started to get a little concerned that it was on a collision course. Now, I know the rules and the rules say that you better have an anchor light on if you’re fishing late and you better take action to avoid a collision if you see a stationary boat after sunset. I don’t think this guy read the last edition of Patrolling the Pond.
As the wooden charmer edged closer I thought it odd that I could not hear the usual guttural sound that comes from a big block engine even at idle speeds. It seemed to just be skimming across the water with ease. Now not ten yards away and heading directly for me I decided that an evasive maneuver was needed to avoid a collision. The trolling motor was the only option. I jumped on the peddle as quickly as I could making a flanking move to the left. Just as I made the move I shouted something I don’t even recall then WHAM! The Chris Craft clipped the back of my Ranger with enough force to toss me over the gunwales and into the water. 68-degree water doesn’t seem like it would be that cold unless you unexpectedly find yourself knocked overboard. As I floundered in the water in a semi-wrestling match with my inflatable vest. I finally righted myself and got a glimpse of the watercraft that just hit me. It was moving slowly and quite carelessly picking up speed without even acknowledging the hit. I tried to get a look at the lot and block number or name across the mahogany stern, but the dim light only allowed a sepia tone view of the old boat as it quietly and quickly moved toward the mouth of Bandit Bay. Tired of treading water, I put a hand on the rail and pulled myself up onto the deck like a beached seal. Dripping wet and about to give someone, anyone, a piece of my mind, I watched as the boat quickly moved away. Just as I was about to shout out to whomever was driving the Chris Craft, I noticed it starting to make a left turn toward the entry of the cove, going the wrong way of course! Strangely, I still didn’t hear a thing. No motor. No power. As I made it back to the seat and throttle, I started the motor just in time to watch the Chris Craft start to plow toward plane. Still no sound of a motor. Then, seemingly from out of nowhere, a mist moved across the mouth of the cove. And just as quickly as she came, the Chris Craft disappeared into the mist leaving me cold and wet and wondering what I just experienced.
October gives us a lot of opportunities to enjoy our lake community. From LotaSmoke, a soon to be iconic Lotawana event, to kayaking into the night of a Hunter’s Moon. It can also be a time when strange things can happen on the water. Safety is more important than ever because the Water Patrol is around less than usual. With daylight hours waning and shadows getting longer than our summer norm, safe boating and water activity is still a priority. I never did see who was driving the Chris Craft. Since that day last week, I’ve heard some of the long timers at the lake talk about a mysterious craft that appears during certain times each year as if to celebrate something important. There are many beautiful wood boats on the Lake. I always enjoy it when I see one on the water. Next time I may be a little more cautious if I happen to find myself near Bandit Bay in the late hours of the day and see an eerie looking wood boat anywhere near me. Especially one I can’t hear. I may just pull up the trolling motor hit the ignition switch and hightail it for home.
Scary Safety Seven Quiz
In this issue we will focus on the Enforcement Rules and Regulations found on page 38 of the Lake Lotawana Association Rules and Regulations. And of course a few other tricks and treats. This month if you get all of the answers correct, send your name to me at [email protected] and you will be eligible for a drawing for a scary looking set of Lotawana Koozies!
True or False?
- You get scarred like it was Friday the 13th when you see a patrol boat approaching with lights on. While you’re a bit nervous as to why the Patrol Boat is approaching with lights and siren. Seeing the lights and siren you decide to yield the right-of-way to the Patrol. You did the right thing. True or False? TRUE
- Your son out on the water with your pontoon boat. He is responsible, of age to drive the boat, and you trained him. He comes home and you notice something is bothering him. He finally tells you he ran into a dock while he was watching the original Halloween movie moving on his phone. There was damage. Your boat is dented. He came back to the house. You are upset and so is he. No need to report it since no one saw what happened. True or False? FALSE
- Section V. A, 1 p. 38. The driver of any Watercraft involved in an accident involving injury or property damage shall immediately report the details of the accident including names, telephone numbers, and other relevant information concerning the incident to the Lake Lotawana Association Office or to the Lake Lotawana Water Patrol, and to the Police Department of the City of Lake Lotawana. Failure to do so is a violation of the rules (6 points).
- You are out with a friend and get pulled over by the Water Patrol for plowing. Your friend (who owns a place at the Ozarks) starts to tell the Water Patrol that they don’t know what plowing is and what it isn’t. A verbal exchange takes place before you get him to shut up. You can get up to 10 points and suspension of Lake privileges. True or False? FALSE
- You can actually get up to 12 points! And time to find some new and less scary friends. Section V, 1,d, p. 38. No person shall threaten the Water Patrol personnel with abusive language and/or physical harm (12 pts.)
- Unless you are a mysterious, unnamed wood boat like a Chris Craft, your lot and block number should appear on the back starboard and port side of your boat. True or False? TRUE
- You can win a set of Lotawana Koozies if you send your correct answers to this quiz to [email protected] True or False?
- You show up at your dock and see that your boat has been moved. You didn’t give anyone permission to move it. If you find out, they can receive up to three points. True or False? TRUE. You can receive up to 3 points. Section III, Q, 11. No person shall move another person’s Watercraft without that person’s permission.
- Mysterious, scary boats with no drivers or engine sounds are not allowed on Lake Lotawana but can be part of legend that lives on and on. True of False. TRUE