Fishin’ with Capt. Gus!, Lake Norman 11-7-1.jpg

Photo courtesy of Capt. Gus

Sailboat on a windy October afternoon.



Fishin’ with Capt. Gus!
2009 North Carolina Boating Statistics
11-7-2010



According to a report published by the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, in 2009 there were 154 boating accidents statewide. The majority, (133) were classified as non-fatal, but sadly, 21 accidents accounted for 22 fatalities. Furthermore, there were 203 vessels involved in the 154 accidents, which caused 104 persons to require medical treatment. The year ended with a total of 368,004 boats registered throughout the state, an increase of 42,513 over 2008.



Closer to home, the total number of boats registered in the four counties that touch Lake Norman was 43,339. A breakdown by county shows Mecklenburg with 16,741, Iredell 12,724, Catawba 8,129 and 5,745 occurred in Lincoln County.



Lake Norman had 12 boating accidents, ranking it second in the state behind the Intracoastal Waterway with 20 total accidents. The good news is there were no fatal boating accidents listed for LKN in the 2009 report.



Statewide, the leading type of fatal accidents (12) was that the victim either jumped or fell overboard. The two main types of non-fatal accidents, accounting for 54 cases, were collisions with another vessel and/or collision with a fixed object. Operator inattention, operator inexperience, and careless/reckless operation were the leading causes (123) of non-fatal accidents.



The number of students completing boater education courses jumped dramatically in 2009. A total of 17,328 students received boater education certificates, compared to 4,363 the previous year. One has to surmise, that the new 2010 regulation requiring boat operators under the age of 26 to have completed an approved boating safety course, was a major factor in the increase. The 2010 boater safety course regulation is long over due, as evidenced by the fact that only 25 percent (50 of 200) boat operators involved in fatal and non-fatal accidents had completed a boating safety education course.



The 2009 report should be a red flag to everyone, particularly the statistics concerning operator inattention, carelessness/reckless driving, and the indication that 75 percent of all the boaters on our waterways have not completed an approved boat safety course.



In closing, “Safe boating is no accident.” Do your part to make our waterways a safer place to navigate and enjoy.



Tips from Capt. Gus:
For more information about approved boating safety courses, visit the following web sites.
▪ North Carolina Resources Commission at www.ncwildlife.org
▪ US Power Squadron at www.usps.org
▪ US Coast Guard Auxiliary at www.uscgaux.org
▪ Lighthouse Marine Service at www.Lmservice.org



Upcoming Events - Free fishing seminar - “Winter Striped Bass Fishing - How to Catch Lake Norman Striped Bass all Winter” will be held at Gander Mountain, Exit 36, Mooresville, NC at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, November 18, 2010. This ninety minute session, will be conducted by Capt. Gus. For additional information, call 704 658 0822.



Hot Spots of the Week: Stripers are actively feeding in the cooler water temperatures above the Highway 150 Bridge. Bass fishing (particularly spotted bass) has been excellent all fall. Best bets are coves with brush and the middle of creek channels where large schools are hitting live and artificial baits. White perch are also being caught incidentally while fishing for spots. Blue and flathead catfish are still hitting prepared and cut baits in coves and around boat docks.



The water level is about 4.1' below full pond and the water surface temperature is in the middle to high sixties.


Captain Gus Gustafson is licensed by the US Coast Guard, a member of the Southeastern Outdoor Press Association and a Professional Sport Fishing Guide on Lake Norman, NC. Visit his Web site at www.FishingWithGus.com , e-mail him at Gus@lakenorman.com or call 704 617 6812.