THE 2020 ANNUAL TIE-UP IS SATURDAY, August 15th, 2020!!! We’ve had a few questions about the ins & outs of tie-up, so let me address them here…
Whether this is your first time at the event or your 20th, it’s important to always be prepared!
Some tips for boat captains:
• Make sure you have enough Coast Guard approved PFD's (life jackets) aboard for all passengers. Check to be sure all other safety equipment such as fire extinguishers are functional. "Courtesy safety inspections" are a common occurrence and infractions tend to lead to greater scrutiny. Making a safety inspection quick and easy is the fastest way to getting back on the water and on your way.
• Ensure that your boat is in good working order! Navigating the party cove can be tricky, and your boat needs to be working properly to do so safely. If your boat has trouble going in or out of gear, dies when shifting, or otherwise has a problem that makes maneuvering difficult, you should know that stops can be abrupt, with space between boats and swimmers practically negligible. Captain's need to rely on their crew for line handling and spotting swimmers and other boats. Boats and people get crowded up very quickly, and it sometimes takes an able crew to keep things from getting damaged or people from getting hurt. Be aware though, as captain you should be prepared to handle things by yourself, especially at the end of the day when the best your crew may be able to manage is to just stay out of the way.
• Do not allow passengers to ride on the back of benches, seats, or on top of engine covers (sundecks) unless your boat is rigged with railing 6 inches high. Passengers must be seated, or standing properly while underway, even if just idling. If the boat is in gear, park your rear. If you're entering or leaving the cove this rule is strictly enforced as boats must proceed at no-wake speed and it can take a while to reach the main group making it very tempting to forget this rule. Watch your wake, it's guaranteed Water Patrol will be. Take your time, the party is not going anywhere.
• Take plenty of bumpers for your boat as others typically don't bring enough for theirs. Have plenty of line (rope). You can never have too many lines for securing things and I'm always amazed at how many people show up (cough -rentals!) without a single one.
• Bring at least one anchor! Make sure it is rated for your size boat. The big boats have big anchors, but they can't hold an entire line in a strong wind.
• Be helpful and patient with other boaters, the party cove has visitors ranging in experience from beginner to expert, with all sorts in between. A little courtesy can go a long way to keeping minor problems from becoming large headaches. Cooler heads prevail.
• Don't stray too far from your boat and have an exit strategy. With so many boats tied together one boater’s problem can soon become everyone's problem. A sudden storm or an anchor that suddenly breaks loose can strain lines, and many times you may find it is simply safer to untie from the group rather than fight to keep it together.
• Be respectful of other people's property. Take care of the boats next to you, and they'll do the same. It's a boating thing.
• Stay away from aluminum pontoon boats, and don't tie up to one unless you're in one. Trust me on this one. There aren't enough bumpers in the world to protect fiberglass from the sharp edge of a piece of aluminum.
**And the BIG ones:
• Do NOT operate any watercraft under the influence of drugs (legal or otherwise).
• Do NOT operate any watercraft under the influence of alcohol.
• A captain's job is a lonely job, if it's done right. As captain you may be tempted to join in the thrall, but remember the same .08 alcohol level limit for operating a car, applies to all watercraft in Texas and the consequences of getting caught just as severe. This is the single biggest problem at the lake for vacationers unfamiliar with the law, and violators receive absolutely no leniency when caught. If you want to play with everyone else then appoint someone else as Captain! Flirt with drinking and boating if you want, many do, but remember you are being watched. Lake Patrol is NOT lenient in this area. ZERO TOLERANCE!
• The party cove is not without its detractors, there are those who would pass laws that would make it impossible for it to exist. Tragic accidents are rare but when they happen it often stirs the fervor of reigning in this kind of activity, but the only method that could work is by passing draconian laws such as restricting the number of boats that can tie together in a group. For the most part, thousands of people have enjoyed the party cove at Eagle Mountain Lake over the decades, and by taking responsibility for our own behaviors we can demonstrate these laws are not necessary, and ensure this tradition will go on for many years to come.
Safe boating everyone, and remember to do as Captain Stubing says; “Don’t be an asshole!”