Are we safe on the water

[youngcane]

I was on the lake the other day just out riding around. I was amazed at the number of people on the water what little water that is their now with the drought and all. It got me to thinking about how safe is it you on the road there are white and yellow line passing lanes and speed limits none of which are on the lake that I know of. How safe is out water really I see DNR out patrolling but they are only one boat and there not out there all the time. My question is what if…. What if two boats or a jet ski and a boat or some other combination were to crash with several victims involved or just one victim. What is the plan for rescue does the rescue squad have boats and the training to get to the wreck and how to handle it once they got there if they do. I have talked to some of the volunteer fire dept members from several different stations trying to answer my question. No one can answer my question of What if…. I am just a concerned citizen wondering if the water is safe for yours and my kids to play in.

[shortcircuit]

I have wondered the same thing, the lake is supposed to be patrolled by TVA. I know of two elderly brothers who were fishing and one of them fell out of the boat, the other one managed to get a rope around his waist and tie him to the steering wheel and call 911, and it was over an hour before help got to them. You have started a good topic youngcane, we need some new things to talk about on here. Welcome to the board, it gets a little deep here sometimes but for the most part everyone gets along fine.

[mandrake]

Youngcane.
Good question, I haven't heard of any plan.

You might contact Nottely Marina. I'm sure they would know what to do or who to call if an accident happened. Their website is www.nottely.com. You will find contact information there.

I haven't really heard of an accident. It doesn't mean it won't happen. A friend took a group of us for a boat ride. He was very safety conscious. I think people just need to look and practice normal boating safety and of course, don't drink and drive.

I could see a problem if too many young people get on jet skis without proper safety training, but parents need to be responsible. Most of us thought we were bullet proof and would live forever when we were young.

I think four wheelers are a bigger danger. Road rash and broken necks are a big concern for me when young people get on the crotch rockets and 4 wheelers.

[youngcane]

I know we should always be safe and its our job to be safe but my question is What if the unthinkable happened one day you cant alway look out for the other guy and his actions are uncontrollableby us. What is the Rescue Squads plan, do they even have one I am on the lake alot and cant remember ever seeing a Resuce squad or Fire boat on the lake has anyone else and Im just missing it.

[manape]

You are probably not missing it. I think they have a TVA police station in Murphy. I would like to know what their responsibility is for the lake.

I'm not saying you are one of them youngcane, but people move in here to escape high taxes they had in the city and expect the same services that they had in the big city. It just doesn't work that way. The money has to come from somewhere.

Our county is growing and it is hard to keep up with the change. There was a time not so long ago when Union County had a volunteer fire and rescue squad. They would do everything from putting out fires to finding crashed planes.

Things have really improved over the years. It is hard for people who didn't see the before and after picture to know how far we have come.

I know safety on the water is important, but it all cost money. It is one step at a time. I wonder how other lakes in counties with real big bucks handle the boating safety issue.

This year on opening trout day, I was stopped at Coppers Creek by a mob of fish and game cops. One dude checked my drivers license, my fishing license, my registration, my proof of insurance, my trout stamp, and asked me how many fish I caught. I told him one. He didn't believe me and I had to get out of the car, open the back of the SUV, and show him. Like I said, all it took to check me was one little cocky little fish cop. There must have been over a dozen at one road block and at least 6 marked cars. Perhaps, they need some fish and game people to keep an eye on things on the lake, too. They sure didn't need all of them at that one spot at Coppers Creek to check for one lousy little fish.

[youngcane]

My family have been here for generations and have no plans for moving and yes I know the money has to come from somewhere and yes this isn't Miami-Dade county Florida. I'm just wondering If something happens on out lake who if anyone can get to my family to help them. Its not the place for TVA or DNR to help us its the Rescue Squads. Just like its not the Police to help on land.

[hillbilly]

"but people move in here to escape high taxes they had in the city and expect the same services that they had in the big city. It just doesn't work that way. The money has to come from somewhere.

Our county is growing and it is hard to keep up with the change. There was a time not so long ago when Union County had a volunteer fire and rescue squad. They would do everything from putting out fires to finding crashed planes. "

Just out of curiosity to the above people moving in to escape high taxes and driving up land prices to boot where is your tax money being spent in this county? It is not being spent on our public safety. We still have volunteer Fire and Rescue squads out here in this county working to provide for ur saftey spending their on money for equipment and training that the county will not provide for the citizens of this county. Beggin, borrowing, and paying out of their pocket to provide a safer community. So Ask yourself what happens if my family gets in a car wreck or boating accident or even a house fire is any one coming to their rescue. If something happens on the lake it would take at least an hour to get some one with a boat and get out to them because this county does not have any one trained in water rescue or have a boat to access the lake. Volunteers have to work and the paid staff are few,Three guys on shift. Ask why the fire dept in under equipped and trained. Where is ur tax money going. Maybe u should be glad to donate some of what u save in taxes to these Volunteer depatments. But Taxes in this county has almost trippled this year. But the fire department didnot receive any tax revenue from the increase taxes. Where is it going?

[wranger]

Good question Hill. The additional revenue is probably going towards the interest on the county's massive courthouse debt.

[youngcane]

I had hope it wouldn't come to this, but maybe now we will get a Water rescue/ Dive team so maybe next time when we need one ( I prey that we never do) we can have a different outcome and give the citizens Peace of mind to go boating and playing on the lake to know that if something does happen to them or there loved one that there are trained personnel to deal with the incident and not rely on other counties an hour or more away.

[youngcane]