Special Saturation Patrols on Deep Creek Lake

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) conducted special saturation patrols this past Saturday and Sunday, June 28th and 29th, on the lake in an effort to save lives and reduce the number of personal injuries due to boating accidents.

Utilizing NRP aircraft and vessels strategically placed on the lake, the patrols lasted approximately two hours each day. An NRP helicopter flew over the lake locating boaters operating in an unsafe manner and directed the NRP vessels to the violations. Nineteen citations and 31 warning, mostly for distance violations, were issued during the patrols. One individual was arrested for operating a vessel while under the influence of alcohol. These types of patrols along with unmarked vessels will be utilized state wide throughout the summer and will continue through the Labor Day Holiday.

NRP reminds boaters that when towing an individual or individuals on water skis, aquaplanes, tubes or other similar devices you must keep at least 100 feet from the shore, wharfs, piers, pilings, jetties, bridge structures or abutments, individual or individuals in the water and other vessels at all times.

Persons operating personal watercraft within 100 feet of the shore, bridge structures or abutments, individual or individuals in the water and other vessels may not exceed a speed of 6 knots at anytime.

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Comments

[David Meyers]

I was one of the unlucky to receive a citation. They said I was within 100' of the minimum wake buoys in front of my own property. If I was within 100', it was close. Anyway, it was a terrible weekend. I was so embarrassed. I had guest all weekend. One was thinking about buying vacation property. All weekend my friends teased me about how much Deep Creek reminded them of Hanoi. They have never seen so many helicopters, and boy those cops must feel awful proud of how many speeders and violators they got off the lake. Then when I got my ticket they went crazy. They probably haven't laughed that hard in years. They alway joke about how safe boating conscious I am. Maybe it is because I got a ticket, but I'm getting bit frustrated with the police on the lake. They all seem to have that "look out now, I've got a uniform on" attitude. My friends left early, and their parting jabs were hard to take. I spent a lot of money for this place. I'm a very responsible boater, but I'm beginning to feel like it's time to look for another place. It's getting too crowded, the cops have an attitude, and I need a place to get away from it all.