Deadhead

Deadhead
June 14, 2009

Floating and hidden debris is always a problem for boaters though-out the boating season however, it is particularly problematic during the spring and after heavy storms. Deadheads are sometimes referred to as sinker logs. These can be very dangerous as they can punch a hole in a large boat and destroy a small boat. Deadheads are almost impossible to see at night. We found out about deadheads first hand a couple of weeks after we bought our boat. We hit a deadhead taking out our outboard. We were extremely lucky to be able to limp our boat to shore where were were able to secure it to a dock. From there we had to find a way home then arrange to have our boat towed and repaired. This brings up a couple of issues.

Some residents living on waterfront property toss yard waste into the water without realizing the danger branches and larger pieces of wood floating in the water present. This should never be done and in fact in most areas residents tossing debris into the water can be fined. It is quite common for residents living on waterfront property to have fire pits close to the water's edge as well as a variety of furniture on their docks or beach. During periods of high wind or storms it is common for firewood and any unsecured items on docks to end up in the water. It is very important that items on the dock be secured to prevent this from happening. Firewood and other items on the beach need to either be secured or removed when not in use. Unfortunately parks along the water are sometimes the target of vandals who toss picnic tables and/or garbage bins into the water. While boating you have to be constantly observant for any kind of debris in the water.

As a boater you have a legal and moral responsibility to help another boater in distress. There is a greater risk of serious harm or death on the water for boaters who suddenly run out of gas or breakdown. Any boater that comes across this situation should tow the disabled boat to the closest shore to get the boat out of harms way. In the event you come across a disabled boat with people in distress in the water, immediately call for help as you approach, get floating devices to them if they don't have one on, cut your motor then if possible pull them onto your boat without you getting into the water. Apply emergency first aid if necessary. Remain with the disabled boat until further help arrives.

Boaters also have a responsibility to help make the waterways safer for all. That means not dumping anything from your boat into the water and removing anything from the water that doesn't belong there. It goes without saying that the same rules that apply to drinking and driving apply to drinking and boating! Whenever we see something in the water that shouldn't be there we remove it if possible. This pay it forward environmental stewardship applies not only to our daily lives living but also when we are boating. If we can't remove the hazard (eg. picnic table, large tree trunks, other large debris) we report it to the Coast Guard who will remove it.

Last Sunday we encountered several smaller pieces of debris and the pictured large log. The floating log definitely could have done a fair amount of damage had a boat been going fast and hit it. My husband decided to try and get it out of the water. The problem was the log was almost water logged and very slippery. Pulling the log out of the water definitely was not as easy as it sounds! He managed to get a loop of rope around the log and pull it up onto our swim platform then secured the rope to the tow bar. Once the log was tightly secured we putzed to a safe spot where the log could be dropped of onshore. Notice the putz? We had to putz because if the log broke free plopping into the water there was the potential of damaging our boat. After enjoying that bit of fun we continued on to enjoy a wonderful day of boating including stopping in St. Clair, Michigan to enjoy a lovely, relaxing meal (read more here) and do a bit of sightseeing.

Garden Gnome
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