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HK

wrote:
On Jun 8, 12:50 pm, wrote:
On Jun 8, 11:28 am, (Richard Casady)
wrote:

On Sun, 8 Jun 2008 07:44:36 -0400, "Lost In Space/Woodchuck"
wrote:
manatees, what s it with them? I read on various forums everyone complaints
about manatees
Speeds over five or so are forbidden along large stretches of the ICW
in Florida, so that boats wouldn't hit them. There aren't nearly as
many killed, or collecting prop scars, in recent years.
Casady
I regularly see Manatees on the Wakulla River and they seem to sleep
right at the surface so one can approach em in a canoe and get right
next to them. It is easy to see how they get hit by props sleeping
like that. I saw one this past March with numerous prop scars. The
one I saw last week seemed to have none.

Well, I don't know much about this issue except it makes sense that
even if only some of the offenders are getting tickets, less manatees
are probably getting hurt just because of the folks who will follow
the rules when posted. I remember when the nickle bottle tax started
in CT. I like many others was pretty upset, but after a couple of
decades, you can again walk barefoot in most natural places and along
most suburban roads without getting cut. My point is, it takes a while
and not everyone plays by the rules, but in the long run, it is
probably a good thing.

As a boater not restricted by manatee zones, but living in CT, we have
our share of "steerage" speed zones that are well monitored.

Several, but not all, of those here who complain about having to slow
down for manatee zones are real pains in the ass. Therefore, I am in
favor of more and longer zones that favor manatees.

Seriously, I'm in favor of almost anything that slows down the
overweight "cruisers" who traverse the ICW and throw huge wakes.