HomeMy WebLinkAboutPark Board - Rivermill Condos request 2010
TO: Ray Maurer, Parks Director
FROM: Nancy Biedrzycki, Rivermill Condos
SUBJECT: Slow No Wake Period Extension
DATE: July 6, 2010
The Wisconsin DNR Safe Boating booklet that accompanies everyone's boat registration documents specifically
states that it is illegal to "Operate a vessel within 100 feet of any dock, raft, pier, or restricted area on a lake at
greater than slow-no-wake speed".
With that stated as the law, here is something to consider regarding boating safety on the river in Oshkosh.
The width of the river between Rainbow Park and the Rivermill Marina is approximately 600 ft. The Rainbow Park
pier extends approximately 100 ft east into the river. The Rivermill Marina's dock extends approximately 100 ft west
into the river. Fratello's restaurant boat dock extends west approximately a similar distance as the Rivermill's. That
leaves a 400 ft wide corridor for navigation. Now factoring the legally required 100 ft safety zone in front of each
dock or pier, the maximum width of the corridor for producing a wake is reduced to 200 ft wide in the middle of
the river. Operation of vessels in this narrow width area traveling in opposite directions on plane and at speed would
create a significant safety hazard and should not be allowed.
The current situation during the weekdays allows for boat traffic to travel on plane at speed in both directions
through this area. It has been observed that many boat operators ignore the law regarding the 100 ft safety zone in
front of the docks, piers and marina for various reasons. It is clearly is a violation of the law and represents a
significant safety risk to those in the area.
The suggested solution would be to extend the "NO WAKE" zone from just to the south of Spellmans Marina to
north past the Rainbow Park pier (where currently it is no wake on holidays and weekends) and supported with
adequate law enforcement. This would greatly enhance boating and personal safety in the area. Damage to personal
property on both sides of the river in this area would also be reduced.
A few other things to consider in coming to a decision:
We understand that this matter was brought before the council in 2000 and was defeated. However, since
then traffic has greatly increased on the river
boats have gotten larger and more powerful
wakes can be hazardous to boaters and/or families that are trying to land and launch boats.
there has been an increase of kayaks on the river
wakes are a hazard when gassing up boats at Spellmans. There have been occasions when a large wake has
caused the gas nozzle to become disengaged while fueling causing gas to be spilled into the water and even
causing customers to get sprayed with gas on clothing, in faces and gas sprayed on the interiors of boats
there has been damage caused to boats at Spellmans Marina due to large wakes
there has been damage to docks at Rivermill due to the large wakes causing the bobbing boats to pull so
hard at the lines that they have ripped up boards on the docks. Boats have sustained damage due to large
wakes.
the seawalls are deteriorating at an accelerated rate along this section due to the large wakes
It is our understanding that Mercury Marine no longer has a need to use this section of waterway as a
testing facility