Boat Etiquette
Most of us enjoy boating in some form on our ponds, whether it be power boats, PWC’s, canoes, sail boats, etc. There are certain rules and guidelines that should be followed to make our time on the water safe and pleasurable. Here is a reminder of some of those rules:
1. All boat traffic at speeds greater than 10 MPH must travel in a counter clock wise direction around the ponds.
2. Do not operate your power boat or PWC within 150 feet of shore line, floats, designated swimming areas at speeds in excess of 6 mph.
3. Stay 300 feet from the town public beach at South Pond.
4. Do not travel behind boats towing skiers or tubers, wakes can cause damage to water craft or people in the water.
5. You are responsible for any damage caused by your wake to shoreline property.
6. Safety equipment required on power boats: (1) life jackets, one for each person on board the vessel, (2) a throwable personal floating device. (Life jackets must be worn by youth under the age of 12 or PWC users, or water skiers).
7. Do not travel at speeds greater than 45 MPH.
8. When boating after dark you must light and display proper navigational lighting.
9. If you see persons or crafts that are operating in a dangerous manner please call Environmental Police and report it at 800-632--8075 or Sturbridge police at 508-347-2525.
Please be careful and courteous while on our ponds, for everyone’s pleasure