Interesting response to this tragedy.....

At least the proposed horsepower restriction isn't entirely draconian-
500-HP is enough for most applications.

Question would be; does the local government really have the right to
dictate who can run a boat and how that boat can be rigged on a public
waterway- or should the government's role be limited to ensuring that
whatever boat is operated by whomever- it is operated safely?. Can
Joe Doaks rig his boat with 3000 HP, as long as he obeys the 10-knot
speed limit?

Item:

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AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) - An incident in which a large boat sliced through
a smaller boat - killing two people this summer on Long Lake - has
prompted a legislator to propose limits on motors allowed on that
lake.

Rep. Richard Sykes, R-Harrison, wants to submit a bill limiting boat
motors to 500 horsepower or less on Long Lake, where the accident
happened Aug. 11. Sykes also proposes better enforcement of boating
laws, including hiring a summer warden on the lake during high-traffic
periods, and requiring boaters to take tests before they can operate
on Maine waters.

Other lawmakers want to submit similar bills during the 2008 session,
which begins in January. Legislative leaders must vote to allow the
bills to be introduced if they are to be considered.

Two people were killed when 34-foot, high-performance boat with twin,
435-horsepower engines slammed into a smaller, 14-foot boat in
Harrison on Aug. 11.

Robert LaPointe Jr. of Medway, Mass., has been indicted on charges of
manslaughter and operating under the influence in connection with the
collision, which took the lives of Terry Raye Trott, 55, of Naples,
and Suzanne Groetzinger, 44, of Berwick.

LaPointe, 38, and his passenger, 19-year-old Nicole Randall of
Bridgton, were thrown into the water while their boat raced ashore.
LaPointe posted bail earlier this month and was released from jail.

Under present state law, the high-powered boat that was involved in
the Long Lake accident "could have been operated by a 12-year-old
kid," said Sykes, who wants to set a minimum age of 16 for the
operation of certain boats.

State law currently allows a 12-year-old to operate a boat of more
than 10 horsepower if someone at least 16 is supervising.

The state Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife, which enforces
boating laws on the state's lakes, is not taking a position on the
bills until the final language is drafted.