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

DATE: SUNDAY, May 23, 1993                   TAG: 9305200115
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: 1   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MARK MORRISON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

BOATER EDUCATION PROPOSED

But Long, whose parents operated the lake's first marina and who now sits on the state Boating Advisory Committee, contends that there is a solution: boating education.

Long predicts that within the next five years, the state will require young and new boat operators to complete a boating safety class before being allowed on the water.

He said such a mandate has been discussed by the Boating Advisory Committee, which makes boating policy recommendations to the state Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.

Currently, the state does not require boaters - of any age - to complete a course in boating.

Long would like to see the state get even tougher. "My personal belief is that everyone who boats should takes classes," he said.

But realistically, he said mandating all current boaters, as well as the new boaters, could be an administrative nightmare for the state.

There are several voluntary classes available, however.

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries offers a six-hour classroom course on boating basics. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary and the Power Squadron offer more intensive classes.

Probably less than 25 percent of the boaters on Smith Mountain Lake during a busy weekend have taken any of these classes, though, estimates Paul M. Howell, the Game and Inland Fisheries region coordinator for boating education.

"If everyone would take a class, then I think we'd have few problems," Howell said.

The state's short course teaches basic navigation and safety. "The rules of the road," he said, "basically the things they really need to know."

Howell reports that attendance in the state classes is up. The department sponsors classes at the lake three times during the summer and in Roanoke every month. Howell said the sessions typically draw between 25 and 40 people.

Howell and others say the need for boater education is becoming increasingly important now that boats are so much faster.

Long recalled that 30 years ago, the fastest boats on the lake reached top speeds of about 30 mph. Today, some can top 70.

The number of boats also has increased significantly. Lt. Karl Martin a game warden who has worked the lake since the early 1970s, estimates that the number of boats has at least tripled since the last official count of 7,500 in 1972.

"There are times when it's a free-for-all," said Al Perdue, the Roanoke flotilla commander for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary.

He would like to see mandatory boating tests for boat operators, similar to driver's tests. Perdue said the high-powered boats are particularly worrisome.

Earlier this month, a man was killed in an accident involving a bass boat that was running in excess of 50 mph.

"We need to have a way to ensure that people out there have some skill at operating these things," Perdue said.

"Let's face it, people are being killed."