
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, April 29, 1990                   TAG: 9004300248
SECTION: SPORTS                    PAGE: C13   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: bill cochran
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

LAKE GUIDES TOLD TO OBTAIN LICENSES FROM COAST GUARD

Several fishing guides at Smith Mountain Lake were jolted last week when they opened their mail and were informed they would have to be licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The letter came from Capt. E.K. Johnson, commanding officer of the U.S. Coast Guard in Norfolk, who wrote: "Smith Mountain Lake is a navigable water of the United States subject to Coast Guard jurisdiction. U.S. law requires all vessels carrying passengers for hire to be operated by an individual licensed by the Coast Guard."

Johnson told the guides, some of whom have been on the lake for 20 years, that he did not intend to pursue penalty action against those who take prompt steps to comply.

Lt. Karl Martin, of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, said Virginia has adopted most federal boating laws, but none that require fishing guides to have a special license. He said the guard had not patrolled the lake in years.

A guard spokesman, Lt. John Sifling, said guides and others carrying passengers aboard their craft for hire would be required to come to Norfolk to take an exam. There would be no fee. He said anyone with questions should contact him at 804-441-3276.

"Our goal is to promote safety on the lake," Sifling said. "The person who takes people out for hire should be a professional seaman who knows how to handle a boat properly."

Earlier this year, the Smith Mountain Lake Policy Advisory Board was surprised when the Coast Guard said it would have authority over how the board would improve the lake's navigation markers with funds allocated by the 1990 Virginia General Assembly.

by CNB