Captain's Corner

Here at Lake of the Ozarks (and in fact all of Missouri’s waterways and lakes), State Law requires the use of certain combinations of lights (Red, Green, and White), called “Navigation Lights” when boating at night. Missouri Law also regulates certain other styles of lights that boaters use at night, called “Recreational Lighting”.  Recreational lighting on boats has become more popular in recent years.  Recreational light can include Rub Rail lighting, Deck Rail lighting, or Underwater lighting.  These can come in a variety of colors and intensities.  The newest recreational lighting configurations use LED lights, which, by nature, are usually brighter than filament bulbs. So, what’s the problem? Well, there are a few; let’s discuss those. First, USCG Regulations, Rule 20 again, states “ The Rules concerning lights shall be complied with from sunset to sunrise, and during such times no other lights shall be exhibited, except such lights as cannot be m...

It’s nearly Friday! Getting ready to go kick back on the boat this weekend? Relax, unwind, invite some friends and have some beers, right? Think twice before you get behind the wheel of a boat while intoxicated, though. Jail time, lawsuits, injury and death can all result from driving a boat drunk. Boozing and boating is definitely a great way to ruin a good time. While  alcohol  consumption is not illegal while  boating ,  boat  operators should be aware of the laws and potential penalties for operating the vessel while under the influence. ... Just like with driving a motor vehicle on land, there is technically no safe amount of  alcohol  that someone can  drink  and then operate a  boat . Here are 6 of the most common rumors about alcohol and boating: 1.  Drinking alcohol while operating a boat isn’t a big deal; it’s not as dangerous as drinking and driving a car. The fact is, alcohol is responsible for 16% of boating f...

  There is a nip in the air, the leaves are starting to change color.  It is time to start thinking about putting the boat away until next year. BoatUS offers the Following information: The bad news about winterizing your boat is that if you forget something critical or you do something incorrectly, you may be faced with expensive repair bills and a long delay to get back on the water next spring. The good news is that most winterizing chores are not that hard, and we can show you how to avoid the vast majority of problems in a single page (though you'll want to  download our winterizing guide  for a much more in-depth look). In a nutshell, winterizing means storing your boat properly, making sure engines and drives are protected, and making the plumbing freeze-proof. Taking a few moments now to think about how you'll put your boat to bed for the off season, as the days grow shorter and the ducks fly south, will pay dividends later. Whether this is your first or your...

  You've always wanted a   personal water craft (PWC)   such as a Jetski, Wave Runner or a Sea-Doo, and now you've got one. Now what? If you plan on taking your new toy out and testing its limits on your favorite lake, river or ocean, there are basic essentials to keeping  yourself and children safe. Personal Water Craft are fast and injuries occur. In a recent study in over a 30-month period, there were 82 wrecks, 57 injuries, and four deaths alone involving PWCs.  About half of all injuries were people under the age of 19. The most common cause of the accidens were cited as inexperience (50 percent), inattention (28 percent), and negligent operation (10 percent).  In the U.S., only 16 states require boating education and 10 require special training for using PWC. There are 43 states that have age limitations for PWC, but these range dramatically from age 10 to 16.    Missouri Boating Laws and Regulations  All persons must be at least  ...