Thursday, June 30, 2005

A safe weekend!

This is going to be one of those shorter posts that I said I would start doing from time to time. I had another entry planned, but technical difficulties have caused that one to be delayed.

It has been raining here everyday since Monday. That meant Trenton and I had to stay indoors for our two days this week. Aunt Sandy took him on a short shopping trip Monday, which broke up the day nicely. Tuesday it was movies and cartoons most of the day for both of us. I’m afraid I did a little bit of dozing in the recliner during all this. Trenton thinks it’s a hoot when Grandpa starts sawing Zs.

We are gearing up for a huge 4th of July weekend at work. It’s always interesting to see who comes out on the Fourth of July to use their boats. In many ways it’s the most dangerous boating weekend of the entire year.

There are many people who own boats but, because of busy schedules, do not use them at all during the year. The only day of the year these boats get put in the water is the day of the fireworks display on the Fourth.

I cannot tell you how many frozen steering cables and dead batteries I have to help with on this weekend every year, not to mention dead running lights or old gasoline. Then there’s the out of date or missing safety equipment that is required by the Coast Guard.

This makes for a very dangerous situation: Hundreds of boaters with faulty equipment on the water after dark to see the fireworks. Many of these are boaters that have little experience. Add to this situation the fact that the fireworks don’t start until dark.

The boaters party all day and celebrate with friends and sometimes alcohol, then, when it gets dark they see a little show and try to drive the boat home in the dark with literally thousands of other boaters using the same waterway and in the same condition. The waterways are not like highways; there are no streetlights.

Ok! Enough of this ranting on boating safety. My points is, no matter what you are doing, on the water or off, please be safe this Holiday Weekend.

If you want to find me, I’ll be out on the docks looking out for you all.

36 comments:

Anonymous said...

    Yeah ... I would think that the 4th of July would be the most dangerous day of the year on the water. Hope you won't see to much excitement.
    Sounds like you and your new charge (Trenton) are getting along famously. Should prove to be a valuable experience for both of you!
                                     *** Coy ***

Anonymous said...

Living in a resort lake community, I know what you are talking about :(.  Today three of my granchildren and their parents will be arriving....lucky you, you can see your grandson weekly :).
Betty

Anonymous said...

this is a great post.... I like the window into what your life is like. (Best thing about journals.) You be safe yourself. judi

Anonymous said...

Awww I wish I was going to be there...well on the dock anyway. I love fireworks and even more so when they are over water. You be safe too now!!!!  Your friend, Robin

Anonymous said...

Ihope all goes well for the holiday, and everyone stays stays safe...JAE

Anonymous said...

getting tanked and then taking the boat out at night ... WITHOUT RUNNING-LIGHTS.    did my share of THAT off Cape Ann in the 60s.    it's a wonder i'm still alive.

Anonymous said...

It sounds very dangerous out there.  Take care.  :-)

Sandra x

Anonymous said...

This is something I never thought of before. Hope you have a safe holiday & thx for looking out for everyone! ~ Lori

Anonymous said...

I hope you have a wonderful weekend.  Living by the water must be so much fun!

Anonymous said...

have  agoo dweek  be safe

Anonymous said...

You can't emphsize boating safety enough, especially when there is alcohol involved.  We have a big fourth fireworks shindig here where fireworks are shot from a barge in the middle of the river.  There's alot of folks in boats that has been drinking the most of a very hot day.  A great entry to remind people to have a happy and safe holiday!  ~Nikki  

Anonymous said...

Have a safe weekend, we have the same waterway problems here ! I never understood why any sane person would want to go out in the boatto see fireworks! It's a dam nightmare.
 Julie~ http://journals.aol.com/joolsinwa/randommusingsofmymind

Anonymous said...

I can imagine what it will be like. My childhood best friend had a beach house with a pier. They only had jet skis and sometimes they were nearly missed by others in boats or on jet skis. Alcohol and water don't mix. This is why I stayed safely on her deck while consuming mass amounts of margaritas. Happy 4th Sam! good luck! Nelle

Anonymous said...

Thank goodness we have you to look out for us!  Me?  I'll be spending a little R&R with my husband.  No boating for me this year, probably not even any alcohol, just good ol relaxation with a book.  Enjoy your holiday, I hope the end of the rainbow is at your feet!
Best,
Judith
http://journals.aol.com/jtuwliens/MirrorMirrorontheWall

Anonymous said...

The forth is the one day of the year that my hubby and I will never go out on the water. We did one year and decided nope not for us. There were more stupid people than usuall out there.

Anonymous said...

I hope you get to enjoy the festivities on the 4th without
too much of that other stuff involved!
Lovish!
Connie

Anonymous said...

You'll be able to find me, we'll be the only sober ones out on the lake!

Anonymous said...

Dear Sam,
Hey You and your family need to be safe wiht allof those hazards out there!
Thanks for the post! have a great one!

Anonymous said...

Hello again.......It would be nice to see fireworks from a boat I have never done that. I can only imagine being out on the water seeing the flash, the quick flash and sudden explosion of light and color as I stand on a boat with blue waters glittering below a boat. It almost would be looking at a poem with no words. Imagine that a poem with no words.........

Anonymous said...

  Hey, Sam ..... hope it's a safe and happy holiday for you and your family.  Let's hope that all your work incidents are small ones !!  Tina

Anonymous said...

My dad dozes while watching Grace!  Sometimes she sneaks over and screams or jumps on him to wake him up, too... not very nice to do to a slumbering Poppy.  Glad Trenton is older and knows better!  :)

I can imagine what this weekend will be like for you!  I know people make some really bad choices while boating.  One would think if affording to dock a boat for years is not a problem, then sending a mechanic to prime the boat before the holiday should not be a problem.  

Maybe even take an extra day to come down and do it themselves... or is that asking too much of the owner?  It's like, hey, if the engine starts, it must be fine.  No need to check anything like oil level, lights, cables, batteries, or even check to make sure there are life jackets aboard!   I don't understand.

Oh, and the brilliant idea of drinking on the boat, in the bright hot sun all day!  Don't even get me started....  Don't like to use the word often~but that is stupid.  I know some do it, successfully, for years.  Retired Navy guys, for example~but I'm referring to the ones who do it once a year....

I hope you get lots of common sense this weekend from the vacationers ;)

Enjoy the fireworks if you can!  Stay safe....

Cat

Anonymous said...

We have fireworks on the water too, but we stay safe in our own backyard.  We can fire up the grill, invite all our friends, and have as much fun as anyone while the fireworks display lights up the sky over our heads.  We're safe ... sane is hard to achieve at this house.  Happy 4th!  Pennie

Anonymous said...

We have 4th on the waterfront here - I've seen all the boats and keep suggesting to Sonny we take the boat on the fourth.  Now I know why he gives me the look he does!  This weekend I'm staying close to home or work actually.  Wishing you a safe 4th!

Monica

Anonymous said...

Have a safe and quiet weekend.

Anonymous said...

Your comments are like the breeze from across the lake on a warm summer's day, a pleasant surprise and very refreshing!

Happy 4th, Sam!

http://journals.aol.com/ccancu/CEEGEEATLARGE
http://journals.aol.com/cyndygee/TheRealWorldofcyndygee

Anonymous said...

Hope you have a fun and safe weekend! LOVE the new grill!!

Anonymous said...

Stay safe and have fun.  I was day dreaming about having a boat yesterday....the river and lake kind (lol) and thought about my ineptness towards mechanical things....but I love the idea of having a boat.

Anonymous said...

The lake certainly is a scary place to be on the 4th of July. I wonder why it is that all these people that never get out on their boats just HAVE to on the 4th and then there are the once a year get drunk on my boat people who really spice things up to the point of playing Russian Roulette but hey on the bright side how often does one get to see their very life flash before their eyes, lmao. Oh well this is why I stay home (away from water and roadways) on the 4th, it's just too dang scary out there.  Great entry though. Brandy

Anonymous said...

I experienced said boaters when I was on trip to Liberty Island a few years ago for the 4th. Like a cartoon show, except it was for real. The Coast Guard does not get enough credit for all they have to deal with.

Hope you got in some more lounge-chair shut-eye after what was probably harrowing day.


Jimmy

Anonymous said...

Hello friend. i just found your journal and I have been having a blast reading your posts. I can't wait for your next one!

Anonymous said...

Have a safe weekend, or actually, when you read this, I should say I hope your weekend was safe...hubby says they don't like going through the inlet in the summer with all the crazy boaters almost near misses they're too big to get out of the way, it can be a mess!  hope no catastrophies and everyone was safe!  ~  www.jerseygirljournal.com

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

Well, better late than never but we had a stellar 4th of July. Spent it with my nephew, his fiance and their 9 month old baby girl who is the most precious little thing. She has been diagnosed legally blind which in and of itself is hard to swallow. However, we all, my husband, our four kids, our friends and the babies parents watched with anticipation as the first fireworks lit up the sky and that little baby responded to the light. It was a joyous night and I do think we spent most of the hour watching her reaction as opposed to the fireworks.

I hope you too had a good 4th and that people were safely returned to their docks.

Anonymous said...

I use to boat a bit when my father was alive. We had a simular situation. Pretty scary to be out to sea when such things arise.

Take Care,

Gabreael

http://journals.aol.com/eparanormal/EasternParanormal/

Anonymous said...

oooooooooo, it's been too long since I visited you....I hope you had a great 4th.....I for one am glad you will be doing more frequent posting..   :)    E

Anonymous said...

Gosh it all sounds terrifying...not mad on water based activities!  But thanks for the warning!
http://journals.aol.co.uk/poppypress/DiaryofaPRGirl/