Updated July 8
Unfortunately, it hasn't been hard lately to find bad news involving Lake Lanier, Atlanta's aquatic playground.
On June 18, a two-boat collision late at night left a Buford youth, 9, dead and his brother, 13, missing. A Cumming man has been charged with boating under the influence in connection with the case. (The missing youth was recovered by divers, and the youths' funeral was held July 3 in Suwanee.)
Do you feel safe on Lake Lanier now? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
And not long before that, , apparently due to a mistake by a boat operator.
who were being pulled by a boat. Reports say one of the youths was the stepson of superstar entertainer Usher. Both youths reportedly are in critical condition.
Of course, Lake Lanier and its resort areas are a weekend haven for Suwanee, Gwinnett County and metro Atlanta. Boating in particular is popular. And the July 4 holiday weekend is nearing, meaning use will be higher than ever then.
But do you feel safe on Lanier after all this? Should you and others go near the water? Will you alter your plans because of these recent incidents?
"I had seven grandchildren. I have five now," said businessman Mike Prince Sr., who was in Florida on business when his wife called to tell him about the fatal accident. His son, daughter-in-law and grandson Ryan are inconsolable, he told the Atlanta-Journal Constitution.
Should nighttime boating be banned? Should law enforcement and Department of Natural Resources officials enact new regulations to ensure visitor safety at Lanier?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Compiled by Steve Burns.
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Lake Lanier is perfectly safe if you use some common sense and practice defensive driving. There are many inconsiderate boaters, but as captain it is your job to watch out for those idiots, just like when driving a car.
It take common sense and knowing a few rules of the water to be a good courteous boater. I do not want to lose my right to have a beer on the lake because other boaters screw up and ruin it for the rest of us. Another site: "Dnr reported 109 boating accidents and 11 fatalities in 2011" "out of over 7.5 million visitors a year (per wikipedia). so the accident rate is about .0014 % and death rate is .000015%. i'd say those are pretty awesome statistics. when you start dealing with that volume, accidents are inevitable, and that rate is far better than the 70 car accidents per hour that occur on average in the state. even if you back that number down to only 500,000 boat involved visits, you're looking at ridiculously low statistics. "
We have a place on the lake and love being on the lake, but like Nick, we tend to avoid the trouble spots.
It's fun and VERY informative. http://cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.php Also, get a copy of "Chapman Piloting & Seamanship (Chapman Piloting, Seamanship and Small Boat Handling)" - aka: The Boater's Bible
I am a 30 year boater and been on Lanier for 7 years about 2 days a week. I have seen a lot of boaters who just do not know the rules. I get cut off at least once every time I go out. Also jet skis jumping my wake. I was coming home from Aqualand one night about 30 mph to a small fishing boat sitting in the middle of the channel with no lights on. He turned on his anchor light when I was 100 yards from him. If everyone followed the rules everyone would be safe.