A little common sense goes a long way at the boat ramp

I witnessed an incident at a local boat landing that should have all boaters on edge. While we are all familiar with the term "road rage," what I saw was a case of "ramp rage."

There was little doubt that this individual was new to boating, had very little practice backing a trailer and lacked many basic skills -- skills that come with practice, which needs to be done at another location, not a crowded boat landing.

What was most disturbing was the lack of help being extended by others waiting to launch. Instead of offering assistance, the half dozen other boaters felt their sarcasm would speed things up. The situation went from bad to worse when the novice boater decided to retaliate with a few choice words of his own. Before the confrontation came to blows, a few veteran boaters who had just arrived stepped up and returned order. As it turns out, the hecklers were not locals but a group of boaters who had traveled to Beaufort to try our popular fishing waters.

The lesson here was a reprimand by the veteran boaters that things are different among the locals. Assistance is a common occurrence, and boaters are aware that some people's skills may not be as finely tuned as others.

Frustration is part of the game. It's rare to have a weekend of boating without witnessing it in one form or another. For those things we can manage, these setbacks just add to the experience. At other times, it seems no matter what we attempt, we take two steps back for each step forward.

An individual either can let it add to the frustration or can accept it as a common factor of many recreational pursuits. There are certain unwritten but accepted rules that are common whenever individuals congregate at boat landings, ramps and in certain dockside situations.

Courtesy and boat ramp etiquette is a responsibility shared by those who partake of the sport. It is the duty of those who use facilities to make the best of every situation and provide assistance when needed.

Perhaps a few common ground rules should be adopted. They would serve as guidelines for those new to the sport and serve as a sort of peace keeper if a confrontation occurs. Boaters generally regulate themselves and keep the peace.

Rules have been posted at many ramps, but whether they are enforceable is based entirely on who made the posting. However, getting any form of government involved to regulate the rules should not be necessary. Common sense should be all that is required -- that is, provided common sense is employed when the rules are adopted. Get public input and base any rules and regulations on the needs of the majority.

Individuals also can do a few things that help prior to arriving:

• Plan ahead and look for alternative launch sites. Leaving home early often means a better parking area and a less-crowded launch. Some ramps are always crowded simply because they are in better condition or closer to choice fishing or boating waters.

• Pursue alternatives and make local officials aware of the need for improved or additional launch sites.

• Take a safe boating course. Many safe boating courses include boat ramp etiquette as part of the class -- or they should, at least.

Some suggestions and a few rues adopted from various landings visited throughout the state (Notice that common courtesy is paramount):

• Remove tie-downs and winch security chains or ropes. Do not remove the winch line from the bow eye at this time.

• Load all equipment prior to backing into the launching area. Fishing gear, coolers, life jackets -- anything that will be used during your trip needs to be removed from the tow vehicle and placed in the boat.

• Check live well plugs, drain plugs and install as necessary. Be sure you have spares to fit all thru hull installations.

• Be sure to unplug trailer lights if they are not sealed and waterproof. Unplug vehicle-to-trailer connectors.

• Check your battery condition once again by turning on bilge pump or lights. Pump the fuel tank primer bulb and check your steering. Trim your motor and disengage the trailer lever.

• Keep passengers out of the way until ready to load from dock. If an experienced boating partner is part of your crew, have them back the trailer or drive it off the trailer once the boat is launched.

• Quickly move your trailer from the launch ramp. Have a general area of parking in mind and inform others among your party. Also, have a secure storage for vehicle keys.

• Be sure your parking choice does not block others or can be blocked by others. Keep all entrances and exits clear.

• Don't tie up at the courtesy dock longer than absolutely necessary, especially if the boat is blocking part of the launch site.

• At the end of the day, do not unload until after you have moved away from the launch area. Pull the plug, put on tie-downs and transfer equipment once you have moved from the launch site.

Even experienced boaters often feel the pressure to perform when launching at a crowded ramp. Stay within your scope of expertise, but be of assistance whenever you see a boater in distress or becoming frustrated. These feelings can be intensified at the end of a long day.

Let's keep boating and fishing fun and safe for everyone. Be willing to share your experience or lend a hand when needed. Be cordial and ask before making any attempt to assist, otherwise you may become part of the problem.

Beaufort Year-Round Fishing Tournament

Standings in the Beaufort year-round fishing tournament (species, boat, angler, weight):

OVERALL

Amber Jack: My Time Out, Ralph Worrell, 62.22

Barracuda: Full Tilt, Travis Plair, 34.9

Black Drum: Simpler Times, Chris Kozma, 10.58

Blackfin Tuna: Holdin On, Mike Perry, 29.38

Black Sea Bass: Mikes Marine, Ralph Worrell, 3.16

Bluefish: My Time Out, Danyelle Brelowski, 1.22

Cobia: No Name, Roy Talley, 69.5

Croaker: Capt. Worrell, Ralph Worrell, 0.42

Dolphin (Dorado): Kelsea, Tim Ferris, 34.82

Flounder: Lil Loo-er, Kristin Kirby, 5.32

Grouper (All Legal Species): No Worries, Joshua Martin, 20.28

Jack Crevalle: Hammer Down, Chris Bates, 29.72

King Mackerel: Happy Dog, Jason Ward, 38.7

Ladyfish: Captain Bo, Amber Von Harten, 2.8

Little Tunny: Top Gun 5, Ross Holquist, 13.5

Red Drum: Reel Contol, James Vincent Sr., 4.74

Red Snapper: No Worries, Joshua Martin, 29.76

Sheepshead: Little John, John Mucha, 10.96

Spadefish: Happy Dog, Ross Holquist, 10.4

Spanish Mackerel: Miss Match, John Gould, 6.08

Spotted Seatrout: Seas So Shallow, Steve Roll, 5.6

Spots: My Time Out, Frank Gibson, 0.32

Toadfish: Holdin On, Brian McCaffree, 2.38

Triggerfish: No Worries, Steve Roll, 11.26

Vermillion Snapper: No Worries, Mike Sackman, 5.12

Wahoo: Top Gun 5, Taylor Thomas, 26.64

Weakfish: Capt Worrell, Ralph Worrell, 1.2

Whiting: No Name, Chris Long, 1.18

FEMALE

Amber Jack: Happy Dog, Alice Houston, 44.86

Barracuda: My Time Out III, Phyllis Gibson, 15.76

Black Drum: Foreclosure, Lauren Graham, 3.16

Black Sea Bass: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 2.18

Bluefish: My Time Out, Danyelle Brelowski, 1.22

Cobia: No Worries, Caitlin Sackman, 32.6

Croaker: My Time Out III, Phyllis Gibson, 0.36

Dolphin (Dorado): My Time Out III, Phyllis Gibson, 19.2

Flounder: Lil Loo-er, Kristin Kirby, 5.32

Jack Crevalle: Froggy Daddy, Carol Currin, 3.04

King Mackerel: No Name, Maci Dean, 24.96

Ladyfish: Captain Bo, Amber Von Harten, 2.8

Little Tunny: Top Gun V, Lauren Graham, 10.08

Red Drum: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 4.52

Red Snapper: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 19.6

Sheepshead: No Worries, Debra Coffeen, 7.0

Spanish Mackerel: Miss Fripp, Patti Brown, 3.26

Spotted Seatrout: Froggy Daddy, Carol Currin, 2.38

Spots: Capt Worrell, Betty Worrell, 0.24

Toadfish: Froggy Daddy, Carol Currin, 1.42

Triggerfish: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 2.64

Vermillion Snapper: Mikes Marine, Heather Spade, 1.22

Weakfish: Capt Worrell, Kelly Childress, 0.74

Whiting: Foreclosure, Lauren Graham, 1.04

YOUTH

Barracuda: My Time Out, Kane Thorp, 12.42

Black Sea Bass: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 2.08

Bluefish: Miss Fripp, Allison Kindwall, 0.32

Cobia: No Worries, Caitlin Sackman, 32.6

Croaker: Capt. Worrell, Jack Worrell, 0.4

Dolphin (Dorado): Tort Teaser, Kipper McIntosh, 19.94

King Mackerel: No Slack, Dillon York, 16.94

Ladyfish: Capt. Worrell, Jack C. Worrell, 1.48

Red Drum: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 3.86

Red Snapper: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 15.76

Spanish Mackerel: Sea Wolf, Alex Pompei, 4.12

Toadfish: Mikes Marine, Brice Spade, 1.68

Vermillion Snapper: My Time Out, Kane Thorp, 1.1

Weakfish: Capt Worrell, Tyler Childress, 0.6

Whiting: Foreclosure, Lauren Graham, 1.04

10x10 YOUTH

Bluefish: Miss Fripp, Kane Thorp, 0.76

Croaker: Capt. Worrell, Jack Worrell, 0.4

Flounder: Seassoshallow.com, Steve Roll, 1.94

Jack Crevalle: Capt. Worrell, Tyler Childress, 0.7

Ladyfish: Miss Fripp, Kane Thorp, 1.64

Spotted Seatrout: Capt. Worrell, Tyler Childress, 0.82

Spanish Mackerel: Miss Fripp, Kane Thorp, 1.9

Spots: Capt. Worrell, Tyler Childress, 0.2

Toadfish: Capt. Worrell, Tyler Childress, 1.3

Whiting: No Name, Chris Long, 1.18