The Lake Patrol is Watching

Story by Sandy Steers

ZOOM—ZOOM! It’s that time of year again, for roaring across the lake on—speed boats, pontoon boats, ski boats, PWC’s (personal watercraft), skis, fishing boats, sail boats, banana boats, inner tubes, canoes, kayaks or anything else that floats or can be pulled behind a boat. But, WARNING—don’t zoom too fast. The Lake Patrol will be out in full force to make certain everyone is operating within the regulations.
Since the lake is nearly full for the first time in a few years, the Big Bear Municipal Water District (MWD), managers of the Lake, are expecting record crowds this summer. “We had a phenomenal rebound,” says Sheila Hamilton, MWD General Manager, “from the lake being down 17½ feet in October to only down 3½ in April. We are very excited about this full lake situation and know we’re going to have a wonderful summer.” And for everyone out on the Lake to have the most fun possible, she stresses it is important for everyone to follow the rules.
For those who have floated upon Big Bear Lake before, the rules are the same. The only new thing this year is that the east end of the Lake is being dredged. (So the next time the lake water level is low, the water there will remain deep enough for the east public launch ramp to stay open.) What that means for boaters this year is that the east ramp is closed for the summer. However, there will still be two free public launch ramps: 1) at the usual west ramp on the north shore between the dam and Fawnskin; 2) at the Big Bear Marina located just off Lakeview and Payne in Big Bear Lake. It also means that the east end of the Lake is cordoned off with an orange turbidity barrier (curtain) so that no boat traffic can enter the dredging area. No one is allowed to go past this barrier or to tie up to it.
So, about those rules…first, the maximum size of boat allowed on Big Bear Lake is 26 feet, all boats have to be equipped according to California Boating Law safety requirement, and all boats must have a permit. Boat permits can be purchased at the public launch ramps, at the MWD offices or at any of the marinas. “Our permit fees have remained the same for years,” says Hamilton. “It’s the only fee you have to pay and includes use of the public launch ramps.”
“One of the most important regulations to follow is the speed limit,” says Joe Schuber, Lake Patrol Officer for the past four years. The maximum speed limit is 35 mph during the day, 10 mph from sunset to 7 a.m., 5 mph between the buoys marked “5 mph” and the shore, and 3 mph in Papoose Bay, Canvasback Cove and Mallard Lagoon. “And we are especially strict with the regulations when it comes to PWC’s,” Schuber adds. All PWC riders must wear personal flotation devices. These devices must also be worn by children under the age of 12 riding on any vessel.
The Lake Patrol officers usually give people warnings when they see them breaking one of the regulations. “But if someone is purposely causing a dangerous situation, we will write a citation or we can even revoke the boating privileges,” Schuber says. One example of such an action is when a PWC rides straight at another PWC or boat, then turns at the last moment to cause a wave of water to splash the second vehicle—commonly known as “spraying down.” To avoid these situations, PWC’s are required to stay 100 feet from all other boats while operating at normal speeds.
With so many different types of vehicles and activities on the Lake at the same time, the regulations are extremely important for maintaining a safe environment for everyone. Some of the boaters want to go fast, some want to sit quietly, some have fishing lines out, some are towing water-skiers or other riding tubes. There are small boats like canoes and kayaks skimming along at the same time as large pontoon boats and tour boats. To keep chaos from intruding on this situation, a system of rules and flags informs others of a boat’s status. A boat trailing a fishing line must display a white trolling flag. A red flag must be displayed whenever a skier or a ski rope or towable is in the water, and all boats engaged in water-skiing must go in a counter clockwise direction. Also for water-skiing, an observer, at least 12-years old is required to be on board the boat to monitor the progress of the skier.
For the slower boats to be safely away from the bigger, faster ones, all manually propelled boats less than 12 feet long, as well as float tubes not being towed, have to stay within the area between the 5 mph buoys and the shore. Swimming is only allowed within 50 feet of shore, within designated swim areas, within 20 feet of a private dock and as needed for water-skiing and other water sports. Scuba diving is prohibited in Big Bear Lake.
For everyone’s convenience, there are three S.S. Relief stations (floating restrooms) on the Lake. These grant-funded stations have solar panels that charge a battery, so they are lighted outside to be easily spotted at night and have interior lights that come on automatically when someone enters.
A full list of the Lake regulations can be picked up at MWD, anywhere you can get a boat permit, or from the patrol officers out on the Lake. To enforce all these regulations, MWD currently has four full-time Lake patrol officers, several part-timers, and additional assistance from the Sheriff’s Department. “And we now have two PWC’s that the Lake patrol uses,” says Hamilton, “so people never know when a Lake patrol officer may be nearby.” “Our goal is to stress safety and education,” Schuber says. “We are always available to answer questions.”
Because so much new water has been added to the Lake recently, the water clarity is at an all-time high. That makes it an excellent time to spend the summer having a good, safe time out on Big Bear Lake.
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