Richmond County Daily Journal – Hurricane planning can save lives

Richmond County Daily Journal Hurricane planning can save lives Image

With summer upon us, wildlife officers with the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission are urging boaters to enter the water with caution.

"we ask boaters to be prepared before they get on the water," said Capt. Chris Huebner, the state boating safety coordinator. "And to be cautious, courteous and alert once they are afloat."

Preparedness includes remembering to have enough Type l, ll or lll personal flotation devices accessible to each person aboard the vehicle. this includes non-motorized craft like canoes, kayaks and rowboats. The only vessels exempt from the state and federal requirements are racing kayaks, sailboards, racing shells, rowing skulls and racing canoes.

Being prepared also means keeping a fire extinguisher on board, as well as a bell, whistle or other noise-making device.

"we are usually looking for personal floatation devices, a type four throw cushion on boats over 16 feet, fire extinguishers, boater registrations, and lights when we check boats," said Huebner. "The most common citations people receive are for improper safety equipment."

According to Huebner, Memorial Day weekend is the "first big boating weekend of the year," and many people going out on the water, for the first time after winter, simply forget to put all of their equipment back into their boats.

"another thing we see a lot is people who keep several life vests on board, but forget to add more when extra friends go boating with them," Huebner said. Forgetting to increase the number of life vests for additional people can easily lead to a citation.

Sterling Welch, Richmond County wildlife officer, said that one of the most dangerous oversights he sees on the water is children under the age of 13 not wearing life vests.

"Children under the age of 13 are required to wear a life vest at all times when in a boat or on a personal watercraft device (PWC), like a jet ski," said Welch.

Welch also noted other dangerous behavior officers commonly see are reckless behavior on jet skis and wave-runners, failing to pay attention to surroundings and operating watercraft while impaired.

"too many times people don't pay attention, or think it's OK to drive crazy on the water," said Mike Rainwater, of Rockingham.

An avid boater, Rainwater recalled the time he saw two boats collide in Blewett Falls Lake.

"The guys were just cutting up, and the boats collided," he said. "It happened so fast, and right in front of a wildlife officer. one man was thrown out of his boat, and the wildlife officer's leg got broken when he tried to get it under control. The boat was spinning around in circles. they were fortunate not to have been killed. a bad decision can really cost you on the water, and it only takes a few seconds."

According to both Welch and Huebner, open containers of beer or wine are allowed on boats, but North Carolina sets the same limits for intoxication while operating a boat as it does for operating a motor vehicle, at .08 blood alcohol concentration.

"The actual limit can be at the discretion of the court, a person can be considered a safety risk even with a blood alcohol level below .08," said Welch.

Fines range from $250 to $1,000, and jail time or boating restrictions can also be enforced at the court's discretion.

With additional stressors, such as wind, waves and sun, experts agree that the effects of alcohol can often be felt more readily, and at lower levels, when boating.

Additionally, it's important to remember that, while there is no minimum age to operate a boat, no one under the age of 14 can operate a PWC. Anyone under the age of 26 must have a boater education certificate, or be under the supervision of an adult who is either over 26 or possesses a boater education certificate. The same is true for PWC operation for anyone 14-26 years of age.

"I would definitely recommend that people take the classes offered by the state," said Rainwater, who has been boating and fishing in Richmond County for 43 years.

The N.C. Wildlife Commission is teaming up with Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) and N.C. Highway Patrol in a public service campaign "on the Road, on the Water – Don't Drink and Drive in N.C." in a summer-long effort to reduce drinking and driving.

"we will be setting up D.U.I. checkpoints on waterways and highways, starting with Memorial Day Weekend," said N.C. Wildlife Sgt. mark Dutton. "Wildlife officers have portable breath testers and we will be using them."

Staff writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com

While death from snake bite is rare in North Carolina, it's important to be able to identify a snake for proper medical treatment. Chances of encountering one of the six venomous snakes native to the state increase exponentially during summer months, when snakes are most active and more people tramp through snake territory during outdoor activities like hiking, fishing and boating.

- Eastern Coral: a brightly colored snake with a body pattern of red, yellow and black rings. The rhyme "red on yellow, kill a fellow; red on black venom lack" is an easy way to distinguish this snake from its non-venomous look-alike, the Scarlet Snake – which has a red, black, yellow color combination. Eastern Corals rarely bite unless handled or restrained. they are rare, and considered endangered.

- Copperhead: a large, stout snake with brown or chestnut hourglass shaped markings on a brown, tan or pinkish background. The belly is light brown, yellowish or pinkish, and young snakes have green or yellow tail tips. these snakes can often be found near water sources. they are most active at night, but can be found basking in the sun during the day. Copperheads inflict about 90 percent of all venomous bites in North Carolina.

- Cottonmouth: a large, thick snake, that can range in color from olive to brown to blackish. The head has a dark bar extending from the eye to the jaw, and the belly is lighter than the rest of the body. The adult tail is black. The tail of young snakes are green or yellow. when approached, these snakes will usually retreat. Some will coil, vibrate their tails and open their mouths. this behavior distinguishes them from other large non-venomous water snakes. they are semi-aquatic, meaning they spend a good portion of their time at or near water.

- Pigmy Rattlesnake: a small, slender snake, with grayish, brownish or reddish body and narrow, dark brown blotches. Wavy brown bands run from the top of the head to the neck. dark brown stripes extend from the eyes to the jaw. The belly is white or red, and the snake has a very small rattle at the end of its tail. Young snakes have a yellow-tipped tail. Their tiny rattles create a slight buzzing noise, and these snakes usually try to escape if disturbed.

- Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake: a very large, thick snake with diamond shaped dark brown or black blotches down its back. The blotches are usually lighter in the center, and ringed with yellow. The belly is yellowish, and a large rattle is at the end of this snake's tail. this snake is usually quick to defend itself.

- Timber Rattlesnake: a large, heavy snake, with dark blotches and bands on its back. The blotches and bands are usually lighter in the center, and the body of the snake ranges in color from pinkish to black. this snake has a prominent rattle at the end of its tail, and will usually remain motionless unless directly aggravated.

When participating in outdoor activities, it is important to remember that you are in wildlife territory. Wearing shoes, watching your step, and making noise is usually sufficient to prevent snake bites. In the event of a snake bite, if the snake cannot be killed or captured, try to take note of the animal's markings and distinguishing characteristics to report to medical professionals.

Do not elevate the bite site – keep it below heart level. Wash the area with warm soap and water. Remove constricting clothing and jewelry, because swelling could occur. Do not attempt to cut or suck the wound.

Staff writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com

During these tough economic times, many people are choosing "staycations" near home during holidays and weekends. looking for adventure near home saves money, but also leads to the discovery of local resources previously overlooked. Richmond County is full of natural beauty and offers no end of things to do outdoors, and boating is a favorite past time of many residents. Some of the most popular spots to "staycation" or "daycation" here are on and around the water. Lakes and rivers within the county include:

- Pee Dee River and Blewett Falls Lake: access points within Richmond County-Pee Dee River Bridge at U.S. 74 and Blewett Falls Road landing, just below the dam. there is also a Richmond County Access point to Blewett Falls Lake off of Green Lake Road.

- Hinson Lake: access point – 152 Hinson Lake Road, Rockingham. No gas motors are permitted. Canoes and kayaks can be rented for about $2 per hour, weather permitting. The park is open until 8 p.m., no alcoholic beverages are permitted.

- Hamlet City Lake: access point – Veteran's Drive, behind the VFW. No gas motors are permitted, but trolling motors are allowed.

- McKinney Lake State Fish Hatchery: access point -220 McKinney Lake Road, Hoffman.

- Ledbetter Lake: while there are currently no public access points to the lake at this time, the water is still considered "waters of the state," according to N.C. Wildlife Sgt. mark Dutton. Waters of the state are bodies of water that have entry points for fish, such as streams or creeks. The public can gain access to these waters via entry points upstream, by invitation of a landowner or by finding an entry point not on private property.

- Roberdel Lake: while there are currently no public access points to the lake at this time, the water is still considered "waters of the state," according to N.C. Wildlife Sgt. mark Dutton. Waters of the state are bodies of water that have entry points for fish, such as streams or creeks. The public can gain access to these waters via entry points upstream, by invitation of a landowner or by finding an entry point not on private property.

Staff writer Kelli Easterling can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 18, or by email at keasterling@heartlandpublications.com

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