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Keeping the lake safe

Sheriff's Department ensures fun, safety

By Jarrod Lyman / Community Correspondent

(Updated: Thursday, September 02, 2010, 12:00 AM)

As holiday revelers head to Bass Lake for what's often billed as the "last hurrah" of summer this Labor Day Weekend, one group will be watching over the lake to ensure everyone is safe.

Each summer deputies with the Madera County Sheriff's Department take to the lake in a small fleet of boats and one Waverunner, a.k.a. personal watercraft, to ensure the fun had by all is done in a safe and legal manner.

"That's what I'm concerned with, everyone's safety," Deputy Ray Souders said.

The lake patrol program is overseen by Sgt. Jim Bernardi and deputies Souders, Roger Kendle, Scott Denton and retired deputy Milt Gauthier.

As white thunderhead clouds peeked over the eastern mountains ringing Bass Lake one recent Saturday, Souders scans the lake closely, ensuring everyone is following the lake regulations.

"The most common violations are inadequate personal flotation devices," he said.

Laws mandate there must be a personal flotation device, commonly known as a "life jacket" for each person aboard a vessel.

Other common violations are personal watercraft outside designated areas.

"I'll keep watch, and if I see someone passing in front of the same spot multiple times in a short amount of time, I'll know they're not traveling from one designated area to the other," Souders said.

Most common citations are at the same level or down from the same time period in 2009. Seven people were cited for operating a personal watercraft outside of the designated areas last year, while only two people were cited for that violation this summer.

Only one person was cited for operating a boat between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m in both 2009 and 2010, just as one person was cited for driving a boat against traffic flow both years. Four people were cited for operating a boat without a license in 2009, and only one was ticketed for that violation this year.

Registration fees run from $32 to $63 based on the horse power of the vessel. The Polution Control Permit Fees help support the lake patrol and lake improvements such as errosion control.

One boater this summer was arrested for driving under the influence.

The small number of citations, considering more than 3,400 watercraft -- 821 personal watercraft and 2,586 boats -- have been registered at the lake this summer, is more an indication the sheriff's department is on the lake to inform and educate, not to write as many citations as they can. The number is down from the previous year by about 400.

"If I can inform and keep people safe, then I've done my job," Souders said.

Souders said a lot of incidents are the result of people not paying attention to the regulations.

"When they register, they are given a book of boating laws. If they took the time to read that, they would know what was legal and what wasn't."

He recalled one instance, where he stopped a 9-year-old boy from Southern California operating a personal watercraft alone.

"His parents had no idea that wasn't allowed," he said.

Although a license for operating watercraft is not required, the minimum age limit to operate a boat or personal watercraft is 16, 12 when accompanied by someone 18 or older.

In addition to law enforcement, deputies will assist stranded boaters.

"If someone's boat is broken down in the middle of the lake, that's a hazard, so we'll tow them to the nearest safe harbor," Souders said.