Never, have I witnessed a more blatant disregard for other people’s property and safety than the parade of fools who blast past no-wake buoys, often with children in tow.

I’m convinced that they either don’t know or don’t care about the damage their wake is causing, or that it makes launching and retrieving boats that are slipped at the docks, near the no-wake buoys, quite a challenge. It’s a well established principle that boaters are legally liable and financially responsible for the damage caused by the wake their boat created.

And, if that’s not reason enough to pay heed to the buoys, think of the safety of the children on the tubes, or skis. They sometimes fall off, and if you’re ripping through the water, in a hurry to get to where-ever, an innocent child may end up paying the full cost of your recklessness. Accidents do happen, but they can also be prevented.

Boating is a lot of fun and can be a wonderful experience; it’s a shame not everyone practices the same level of courtesy toward others.