One of the core tenants of FLG’s mission is the safe and fun enjoyment of our lake. That’s why promoting boating safety has always played a significant role in our work.
Every year, thousands of boating and water sport enthusiasts take to Lake Glenville to fish, sail, water ski, and other recreation activities. We want to make certain that the public is safe, responsible, and free to enjoy boating activities by promoting awareness and practice of the laws, rules and regulations that all should observe.
Know the Risks
Careless use of a boat or jet ski is more than just a nuisance; it can be deadly as well. Motor-powered boats and jet skis can reach speeds of over 70mph. In the hands of an inexperienced driver, they can put their own life and the lives of others at risk. Ignorance, not malice, is often behind accidents, property damage or other hazardous events that take place on the lake.
Know the Rules
Just as there are rules for driving a car or truck or operating heavy machinery, there are rules for driving a boat or operating a jet ski. It is your responsibility to know, understand and act in accordance with any national, state or regional laws, rules or regulations.
- Vessel Operator’s Guide: This Vessel Operator’s Guide is produced by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission as a convenient reference to the requirements of North Carolina boating laws and regulations. Download it here.
- Boating Safety Checklist: This handy checklist from FLG will make sure you and your passengers are aware of the basic safety points for operating, riding in, or being towed by watercraft while on Lake Glenville. Download/print out a copy here.
Use Our Tools
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FLG's Boating Safety Flyer: Our Boating Safety Flyer is a quick and easy guide to navigating the rules and regulations in play on Lake Glenville. Download it here.
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Boating Etiquette Guidelines: Common sense and respect for your fellow boaters go a long way to making everyone’s experience on the water and enjoyable one. These basic etiquette guidelines from BoatSafe.com are just a beginning. Look for additional guidelines posted at boat ramps and marinas around Lake Glenville.
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Boating Safety Courses: The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission offers several boating and boating safety courses each year. Visit the NCWRC website to learn more and to register for course.
Wake Responsibly: You Are Responsible for Your Own Wake
The boating laws and navigational rules in North Carolina's public waters create a safe boating environment for everyone. Laws and rules regarding authorized no-wake zones, as well as the reckless and negligent operation of any motorboat or vessel on these waters, are both monitored and enforced.
Please follow these guidelines to "wake responsibly":
- Stay at least 200 feet away from the shoreline, docks or other structures
- Keep music at reasonable levels. Sound travels well over water. If it is loud enough to hear at 80 feet back, it is likely loud enough for homeowners and other to hear as well.
- Minimize repetitive passes on any one portion of the shoreline. Once you've run the same line for awhile, move on to another area.
Wake and Wake Boats
- Wake boats are high-tech, specialized boats with ballasts that fill with water to adjust for the size of wake desired.
- Wake boats can produce significant wake (3 - 4 feet) at low speeds (10 mph).
- In general, the boats are not the problem, but rather the wake produced by the vessels.
- While wake boats are designed to create significant wake, wake is not vessel specific.
- Wake is one of many factors that can cause erosion.
- Erosion, dock/boat property damage and noise are the primary complaints associated with the use of wake boats.
- Because the ballasts of wake boats fill with water, transfer of aquatic nuisance species could be an issue.
- Concerns about wake boats are a nationwide issue.
Content and image courtesy of the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission. Vist NCWildlife.org > Wake-Responsibly for more info.