Lake Claims Lives (Again)
Smith Mt Lake, VA - A few miles from my home is a wonderful manmade body of water many claim to love and enjoy. Smith Mt. Lake is rich with history, proud with accomplishment, and loved by many. Most people who speak well of the lake have invested their money into keeping a boat, a home, or both near the lake. There isn't a day that goes by I don't see someone hauling a boat to or from the lake. Unfortunately, not too long goes by I don't hear or read about someone dying at the lake.
The news today opened my eyes to the fact speedboats are allowed at the lake. I didn't know this. Say it with me - "SPEED-boats". What are they made for? Exactly! Where's the logic in allowing these machines built for speed to part the water at the lake?! Wouldn't that be like allowing race cars on 581? (Oh, we wouldn't do that!) Why not? (They'd speed! That's illegal!) The word here, folks, is - "duh!" - Google it!
Now I read there are little, if any, posted speed limits at the lake. Un-friggin-believable! Aren't we going through the same problem on the curvy roads in Bedford County? Didn't we just lose a carload of kids recently? Is it going to take the deaths of a boat full of old ladies, premature babies and hungry puppies to make this a serious matter that demands immediate attention? How many people have to die? How important does someone have to be to die at the lake and make a difference? Do we have to wait for a political official to die out there?
The deaths this weekend are senseless, stupid, and COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. Unfortunately, the common consensus, (and I include myself in this) is how everyone will "feel so bad" for that couple that just died, then we'll all go about our business knowing "someone else" will take care of the problem.
I grew up by the ocean and despite the occasional drownings, I still love the beach. I've always wanted to visit the lake because I hear so many good things about it. Now that I hear the lake is nothing more than a free-for-all speedway for drugged-up drunks, my interest for this manmade puddle has turned into blatant repulsion.
The news today opened my eyes to the fact speedboats are allowed at the lake. I didn't know this. Say it with me - "SPEED-boats". What are they made for? Exactly! Where's the logic in allowing these machines built for speed to part the water at the lake?! Wouldn't that be like allowing race cars on 581? (Oh, we wouldn't do that!) Why not? (They'd speed! That's illegal!) The word here, folks, is - "duh!" - Google it!
Now I read there are little, if any, posted speed limits at the lake. Un-friggin-believable! Aren't we going through the same problem on the curvy roads in Bedford County? Didn't we just lose a carload of kids recently? Is it going to take the deaths of a boat full of old ladies, premature babies and hungry puppies to make this a serious matter that demands immediate attention? How many people have to die? How important does someone have to be to die at the lake and make a difference? Do we have to wait for a political official to die out there?
The deaths this weekend are senseless, stupid, and COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED. Unfortunately, the common consensus, (and I include myself in this) is how everyone will "feel so bad" for that couple that just died, then we'll all go about our business knowing "someone else" will take care of the problem.
I grew up by the ocean and despite the occasional drownings, I still love the beach. I've always wanted to visit the lake because I hear so many good things about it. Now that I hear the lake is nothing more than a free-for-all speedway for drugged-up drunks, my interest for this manmade puddle has turned into blatant repulsion.
posted by Texican at 6:29 AM
31 Comments:
"Speeeeed Boats"
Do you include bass boats and almost all new runabouts now? I get so sick and tired of people bashing performance boats who have no idea what they are talking about. If you would take the time and do just a little simple research, you would find more water based fatalities happened last year on sail boats and canoes, as well as power boats UNDER 16 feet in length. In short, it isn't the boat, its the person operating it.
I bet you also blame guns and knives for killing people, not the other people wielding them.
7:13 PM
You, sir obviously dont spend much time on the water!I own what you call a "speed boat" I havent heard the "speedboat" term since the 80s.These boats are called performance or as mine is called a cigarette boat.My boat is a 24 ft velocy.It will run between 68-72 mph.You have a problem with boats like mine.what about the 7 ft seadoo's that will run 65-80mph? Remember the crash a few weeks ago involving a seadoo? It is the person operating the boat, not the boat.A person could take a 12 ft jon boat and kill another person in an accident.Your stupid comment about power boats dont belong on the water?That is like telling a person they cant drive a vette because it can exceed the speed limit.Get a grip, and, do all of us a favor and please dont buy a boat,if you do, please go to claytor lake.
9:02 PM
Texican,people like yourself,and,are supposed to be so"safety" conscious are other peoples problems on the water and highway.Your narrow minded comment about speedboats should not be allowed on the water? If you want to be on a body of water with speed limits and small boats,may I suggest you go to "carvins cove" reservoir,which supplies Roanoke with its water.The only thing allowed on it is trolling motor or paddle.You sound like you would enjoy this.
9:54 PM
I have personally driven a Donzi 18' with dual engines and a top speed approaching 90mph.
Yeah, it was fun - but I was also on the open ocean without another boat in proximity. It's called common sense.
Are you trying to fish, or chase the fish?
Stop being silly and grow up. Go find your common sense and use it judiciously. Im not saying don't own a boat like that, as I said - I liked the Donzi. I am saying there is really no reason to open her up wide when there are other slower, smaller craft in the area. But then again, Im assuming you probably drive the same way on land - so you will just ignore this and write me off as some silly asshat who has no idea the point of owning a boat like that.
But remember one thing - I've driven dragsters. Pulling the 1/4 mile in 7.5 seconds. I know what power feels like. And I also know when to be responsible with that power.
So Anonymous 1, 2, and 3 - to you I say: Have fun in your little boats.
And people wonder why I hate summer.
10:45 AM
08.25.05
Wow! Great comments from everyone! I'm glad to read everyone is so passionate about this. It's going to make it even more interesting to see what sort of guidelines come about as a result of all this.
Looks like I hit some nerves with my blog, though. Good. There's nothing worse than apathy, and I'd rather have people thinking I'm wrong than having people think I don't care. And wow, some of you got downright nasty with your comments! No problem. So you don't think I didn't learn anything from your comments, here's a quick update regarding what I wrote:
* I don't blame the mechanism, I blame the operator. More specifically, I blame the guidelines that are either lacking or not enforced since so many folks aren't responsible or mature enough to use common sense at the lake. (Pay up on that bet, buddy.) But not to let you feel completely wrong, I'm starting a class-action lawsuit against the water at the lake which is responsible for so many deaths from drowning. Are you in?
* Please keep the penis envy out of here! I'm happy you and your precisely-measured, well-hung boat are bonding out at the Lake at 68-72 mph. (Get a room!) For the record, I don't have a problem with A BOAT, I have a problem with deaths - caused by boats - driven by people - who don't care. And I also have a problem with nose hair. But that's another blog.
* Any upcoming boat purchases on my behalf will result in excessive speeds in ocean waters. Maybe I'm just spoiled with the spacious comfort of the Gulf of Mexico, but as crowded as it gets at the Lake, I'd be terrified to maneuver my boat and hit someone or something. Buy a boat? No, thanks. And where's the fun in buying a fast machine and not being able to go fast? It's like buying water skis when you can only use them in the shower.
* Thanks for bringing up the SeaDoos. Those watercrafts are the equivalent of a motorcycle or dirt bike. They haul ass and they're lots more dangerous than a boat. For the suicidal maniac with NO time to waste - buy one today!
11:51 AM
You are very slow then if you did a quarter mile in a dragster in 7 secs. I f your driving a ford it would go three or four secs. Cause we americans are all about fast pace. Fast car drive throughs
12:25 AM
Give me some of your tots
12:25 AM
WHAT ABOUT THE 2 FISHING BOATS ABOUT 2-3 YEARS AGO THE HIT HEAD ON THAT KILLED A MAN, WHAT ABOUT THE SMALL RUN ABOUT BOAT 2 WEEKS AGO PULLING THE TUB, 17 YEAR OLD GIRL FELL OUT OF THE BOAT GOT HUNG UP IN THE ROPE AND CUT UP. LOOK!!! THEIR ARE MORE SEADOOS AND FISHING BOATS, RUNABOUTS ECT. THAT CAN GO JUST A FAST AS A PERFORMANCE BOAT. THE SML BOATERS ASSOC. KNOWS FOR A FACT THAT THIS IS THE FIRST FATAL ACCIDENT ON SML THAT A HIGH PERFORMANCE BOAT WAS INVOLVED, WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT THAT !!!!!
9:20 AM
YES! THE DEATHS AT THE LAKE WERE SENSELESS AND COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED BUT!!!!IT IS NOT THE WATER CRAFT ON THIS LAKE, ITS THE DRIVERS.
THEIR ARE JUST AS MANY 38' TO 40 FOOT BOATS THAT ARE NOT WHAT YOU CALL SPEED BOATS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED JUST AS MUCH DAMAGE.IF YOU DONT LIVE ON THE LAKE HOW CAN YOU MAKE SUCH COMMENTS? TEXICAN!!!! MOVE BACK TO THE OCEAN.SURE GLAD YOU DONT LIVE AT THE LAKR WITH ME, SO STOP YOUR STUPID COMMENTS AND FIND OUT WHAT REALLY CASUSE THE MOST ACCIDENTS AT THIS LAKE(NOT THE HIGH PERFORMANCE BOATS) LET US KNOW WHAT YOU FIND OUT. MR. KNOW IT ALLLLLLLLLL........
9:44 AM
HeLLo Roanoke,
In other cities it is actually
possible to express your opinion
without needing to pile blame onto
someone else for having a different opinion. Give it a try
sometime. Its other name is maturity.
If you take the point made by Texican and replace your 'high performance' boat with an even faster more powerful boat the point sticks doesn't it? (i.e. hydrofoil, battleship, aircraft carrier). Point is there certainly is SOME TYPE of boat one of you can purchase that SHOULD NOT be allowed on Smith Mountain Lake!
Fact is, the lack of speed limits, rules, and patrolling of Smith Mountain Lake along with allowing any sort of boat is a direct result of allowing the local residents govern themselves. They do pay the most taxes but the amount of taxes one pays has no correlation with one's common sense. Someone wrote they used their 'high perfomance' boat on the ocean where it was safer... I can only wonder, was anyone home to hear that?
12:45 PM
First and formost I would like to offer my condolences to the relitives and freinds of the Lewis family. I have been sick about this all week,but every one needs to put safty and common sence to work when boating. I own four high performance boats, I get so agrivated at pepole driving up the wrong side of the lake, they end up playing chicken with every boat out their.these are also the dumb asses that also plowing large wakes and are beating the hell out of peoples property and boats, hell their safe boaters! their only going fifteen to twentyfive mph and never seem to pay any concern to the number of boaters having to navigate around them.
Most highperformance boat operaters are the most experienced safest drivers out their. Tex please stay off our play ground we already have enough narow minded non drivers out their.
8:30 PM
And they allow this man to drive a boat? (see above)
Anyway, since this is about water - maybe this is a splash war instead of a flame war?
Man, people - get a grip. Justify your lifestyle to someone else - were talking black and white safety here, and 70-80-90 mph is not a safe speed on a public lake. As a matter of fact, on the ocean you are not allowed to run that fast until your outside a zone. Yes, there are laws for such things, and if boaters cannot patrol themselves, the government will do it for them.
Bet on it.
So your choice, get some sense and drive responsibly, or face the laws when they come down. Its only a matter of time. Then you can go back to ignoring laws on roads.
Oh - and if your gonna whine, at least choose a name so we can address you. Stop playing anonymous.
8:43 PM
"roanokefound" I am the one which owns the velosity cigarette that responded to "texicans" comment.I would like to commend the guy/girl that responded that has 4 hipo boats.Icould not have said it any better.My wife and I went to the water Thursday(yesterday)to go to the island above waterwheel,to eat a picnic dinner. There were probably 4or5 pontoons heading the same direction(toward the state park)the morons were in the middle of the lake the whole way,and running variable speeds.It was almost like driving down interstate and someone running 45mph in the passing lane.I had to get on the left side of the lake just to pass because two of the boats (pontoons) were riding side by side 25 feet apart(legally 50 ft distance from another vessel is required by law I may add)and one of the pontoon boats were pulling a kid UP THE MIDDLE OF THE LAKE!!!!again side by side So my point is this what if one of these slow moving ,tube pulling,non driving pontoon boats caused a boat (coming the wrong direction) to swerve miss traffic (the pontoons traveling up the middle of the lake) and,example hit a guy in a fishing boat and heaven forbid kill two people,would you then be on a witch hunt for pontoon boats? Or would that accident be ruled"accidental"?Whoever you are you are on a witch hunt for powerboats. (You are probably one of the pontooners pulling the kid up the middle of the lake)I can only grant you one thought ,the best thing you can do is stay off of the water,you then will be happy,and I and my powerboat buddies can run 70mph if we want to.By the way, someone said that "powerboats" are unsafe? I can guarantee my velosity has more safety features and equipment than the most expensive production luxury car has!!! Does your car have on board 2 stage automatic fire suppression? Pull cord emergency cut off?
I hate I havent said this yet,no matter what our opinions of boats,engines,all this other crap,we need to keep the Lewis family in our thoughts and prayers,and, as well as Mark Detournillion and his family because no matter what the verdict is there are still two families involved in all of this.
10:13 PM
i got a speed limit law for all of you idiots. ban all boats that wont go through the water at 50mph.if you are caught any slower, especially at night you should be written a ticket.you cant"cruise" with your wife on interstate or even rt 220 at 30mph without geting a ticket or possibly getting ran over.if you did,drive 30 especially at night you would get pulled over for suspecion of dui.does this law sound stupid? well it is every as bit as stupid as the comments made by you people that blame speed and powerboats for accidents and deaths.
10:27 PM
Great comments again. And thanks for reminding everyone to send condolences to the people who lost loved ones recently. A kind word to the Big Man upstairs to ease their suffering would really be nice.
I appreciate the nautical fanaticism this has generated, and I'm happy to see so many people are ready to defend their right to have fun out on the Lake. That's how it should be! But don't let your love of watercrafts blind you to the bigger picture.
Call me names all you want, ban me from your playground, I honestly couldn't give a Smith Mountain crap. What bothers me is how they're going to come down on everyone as a result of this recent stupidity. What do you think they're going to do about speeding out there? If they can't afford to have someone out there all the time, what do you think would be the next best alternative?
And our all-knowing mystery guest really put my mind at ease by pointing out this is the first speedboat boat to officially kill anyone at the lake. Whew! I'll be sure and pass that information along to the families of the deceased on my way back to the ocean. Does one include flowers or just a card when relaying info like this? I forget.
So what do I think about it? What do I think about that boat being the first of its kind to kill people at the Lake? I think this brings us full circle to what I was trying to say in the first place. A boat like that shouldn't have been out there to begin with. As mentioned earlier, it's obvious we can't play responsibly on the water (hell, we can't even do it on land). So why let us roll the big boy toys out there and help add to the death count?
And before we start all over with Round Two of this, we should consider that despite the countless other deaths or accidents caused from anything other than speedboats, this particular accident is going to have one of the biggest impacts on boating at the Lake. As I'm sure everyone realizes, changes are a-comin'.
But then again, some things never change - case in point:
The Lake mentality rears its soggy head yet again -
Dear Miss "Live With Me At The Lake":
I'm flattered, really, but I already live close to SML, and not on it. If I had the distinct olfactory pleasure of sharing lakeside accommodations with you I'm sure I'd be blissfully admiring the steamy rivulets of high-performance lake water splashing at my door. But invevitably my heart would wander, and I'd end up being freaked by the twin-engine blurs zooming by and killing people and leaving my front porch puddle a muddy shade of red. Oh, what-ever will the neighbors think?!
Oh that's right, ...
THEY'RE DEAD!
Sincerely,
Don't-Drink-The-LakeWater
10:48 PM
oh lord.
and your up on the Times site all weekend.
Good luck
11:36 PM
Yeah, I just saw that. I think I'll go hang out at the lake with my laptop and digital camera.
12:46 AM
the whole boat community would love for you to go back to your nasty ocean that salvage,trash,medical waste and the good god knows what else is dumped into it. why do you think they tell you not to drink the water in mexico?enjoy your return to the ocean it sounds like a wonderfull place to live!!!(other than the crap in the water)
3:42 PM
Ok roanoke found Im called out and I can see their are manny of you who just dont get it! I and most of the other performance boat owners do not drive 50-60-70 mph up SML with all the grimlens zig zaging and impeding the flow of trafic during the middle of the weekend. WE AS PERFORMANCE BOAT OPERATORS are the ones I mostly observe operating boats safely! most of the time I have my wife family or frends in the boat and we enjoy the day crusing SAFLEY. I wish I could tell how manny times other drivers have put my safty in jeperty ! thank god I had the power to manuver from harms way. SO you see the problem is not nessarly speed and I quote that from Carl Martin`s intervue in the franklin post,IT IS THE LACK BOATING EDUCATION this is what needs to be manditory law! know one should be able to buy rent or operate any type of water craft with out it!.Allso we all must rember this is AMERICA where we have the freedom of choise I chose to be safe at anny speed, a speed limit will only make out laws out of alot good pepole.Hell if you politicly corect popole out their put a knee jerk laws on every problem caused buy a slim few then you are pushing this country closer and closer tward COMUNISIM! the fact is we all must live in harmony the best we can ,WE certianly lost two very wonder pepole but I can tell you if pepole do not stop drinking and paying attention their will be more needles deaths,please all be safe and watch out around you for the grimlens out their!.
10:04 AM
I think that it is great that you have spiked interest in this problem texican. I see a real problem here. However, I do think that there is reason for responsible boaters who like to move about at fast speeds to have an issue with this. I like driving fast on the interstate. I do it responsibly, meaning I do not drive like an idiot. I just like moving at a good clip. That being said, I do not think that everyone should be punished for one man's mistake. Sure it has happened before and it will happen again. But that is life. The real issue here is that there are stiff enough penalties for the boaters who drive wreckless. The fishermen want calm water, the recreational cigarette boaters want open water, the pleasure boaters want peace and quiet. Well there has to be give and take. Nobody wants some asshole mowing them over and ending their life!!!! I have to give props to the tots post, and to the ones who can't spell, use microsoft word and then cut and paste your post. It gives absolutely no credibility to you that you cannot spell correctly. Keep it real texican. I'm going out to make sweet moola with Uncle Rico.
11:07 PM
Texican & RoanokeFound: did you guys know this? Smith Mt. Boaters Association years ago kicked out the us cost guard from helping out at the lake! NOW THEY WANT HELP!
all the help they need is for drunks!!! to stay off the lake and roads. they need to start stopping boats at night comming from dinner or out a party etc... that should do it!!!!!!!!
and not all drive high performance boats. lets patrol the lake at night!!!! on a full moon night. their are tons of boats out.
these guys that have HP Boats pay
hundreds of thousands of dollars
on these boats, i bet when they are pulled over they have all the proper equipment. wouldn't you have all the safety equipment if you paid $100000.00(+) for a boat?
so it is not about the water craft! it's still about the actions of the person driving!!!!
9:16 AM
Final word, then Im not commenting on this asinine situation again.
Switzer Man - You should not be allowed to drive anything, own anything, or even talk to anyone. You talk of Boating Safety Education, yet you can not spell.
If you can explain to me what the hell a "grimlens" is, maybe I will let you drive a Big Wheels.
You scare me, Sir. Please don't drive anything. I fear for everyones safety.
And of course, going back to the saftey system comment - about how boats have all this 2 Stage Fire Supression System and bilge pump nonsense. Well you know what - if I were out a mile from land and my boat caught fire, I'd be damn thankful if it put itself out so I could toddle back to shore.
Should my car catch fire, I pull over - get out, and call 911. Emergency crews can reach me on land, on the water - good luck.
So there's your logic, Sir. I have yet to hear of a Lexus get trapped in an area unreachable by Emergency Crews, catch fire, and kill its occupants. But then again - it could happen, at the lake.
9:38 AM
Dear Roanokefound:
let not forget the man on the jet ski that hit his son and father-in-law on another jet ski, and killed him, they were not 50ft. apart!!! what ya think!!!!!if sml gets a speed limit good! let just make sure the slow pokes!!!! do the speed posted also so they dont get ran over.
12:34 PM
I couldn't help but wonder what sort of licenses, permits or formal education anyone operating a larger watercraft is required to have. Do you guys know, or can anyone tell me?
If I don't have a license/permit, etc., but have the bucks, can I buy a big boat and don the skipper hat at the Lake while clinking martini glasses with the hoochies?
If no license is required, maybe (as suggested) some safety classes, testing, etc. would be a great place to start. You sure as hell have to submit for an act of God to get a CDL license nowadays, so I thought it would be just as difficult to get a boating license. Any info is appreciated, and hope everyone had a great weekend.
2:37 PM
Dang, I hit Enter before I could leave my signature ! I just posted that comment right above about the license/permits, etc.
2:38 PM
On Licens at smith mt. lake but you must be 16 years.
SO YA!!! if you got the BIG BUCKS!!
get you a big boat. dont worry the HOOCHIES will find you!!!!!!
3:30 PM
Proof that performance boats arent the problem!!Go look at what they dug up on de Tornillion. Over 20 charges.(wset channel 13 news website)you'll see that tthe operator is the problem!!!
1:09 AM
So, lets all just get along every body wants to have A safe time on the water. Every one if their sane has sence enough to know that the water can be dangerous. Leave the damn lake like it is. Tell people what side the lake they need to be on and them come with me to the Redneck Yacht club. I am the owner if a cigarette boat and to be honest we are middle class citizens who work for what we got. Its doesn't have to be a 100,000.00 boat to go fast. All you guys that think you have to have alot of money for these boats are wrong. If you want to tube go to a cove if you want to drink go home or to a island and stay there. Lets everyone who knows sml take pride in it and glad it brings money to the community. And those who dont like it go to the ocean where the sharks can eat you!!!
10:44 PM
you guys need to read "powerboats.blogspot.com" for a different light on this subject
12:24 AM
no offense to all of u but i personally think that u need to keep your opinions to your self, especially if u dont even know the deTournillion's or the couple killed. i personally know mr. deTournillion and he is a very nice respectable man whose reputation has been destroyed by this horrific accident. sure if he had not been drinking or driving fast this may not of happened... however we cannot change the past, whats done is done and we should all grow up and move on... whats the point in arguing with people you dont even know about people you dont know... besides this horrible accident, mr. deTournillion's son, jon, who is my best friend was in a horrific car accident just a few weeks ago.. he can finally walk again, with the assistance of cruthces... so all of us who actually know and care about the people involved in this accident would appreciate it if all of u would just drop it already, move on, and worry about your owns lives instead of everyone else's... thanks!
9:41 AM
I agree completely! I wish everyone would mind their own business and let everyone else live their own lives. Things would be so much nicer, and we wouldn't have to worry about what other people think about us. Just think of all the things we'd be rid of - News, Tabloids, Gossip columns, exposes, etc.
Unfortunately, no one else wants to see newspapers, television and radio news go away, so I guess we're stuck with caring about what happens in our community and to our friends and family. Oh well!
9:52 AM
Post a Comment
<< Home