DNR boat inspections at Willard. Be advised.

[Sotally__Tober]

So, I think the state DNR and state park rangers must have a quota or something to reach up there.

Last year I had 3 complete and entire inspections up there early in the year in like 2-3 weeks.

I had my last year on my fire extinguisher last year and they said I would need a new one this year. Bought one and it's handled.

But here is the list they will check and trust me if you go three time I am pretty you will get the full cavity search.

Current registation
Hard cope of your current insurance, not shown on your phone
Certified Life jackets that meet the weight of the boaters
Certified throw cushion
Marine fire extinguisher with 10 years or less stamped on it. No a home fire extinguisher is not aproved, must be a marine one.
Bailing device or a bilge pump that works
Horn that can be heard 1 mile away
Boat ore unless you have a second motor or your boat is I believe over 21 feet but don't quite my on the length. I do have another motor but still have an ore so I don't have to argue with the guy.
Quagga certific visible on your tow vehicle dash
Statepark pass or paid entry fee clearly displayed
Do not use a senior state park pass unless the senior is present, my buddies senior statepark pass was confiscated last Saturday because there was no senior present.
Of course your current fishing license
I would recommend that you have a designated driver if you are a drinker which is always a good idea. I may or may not be a drinker but if I was a drinker I would be a responsible one.

This is what I can think of so if I am missing anything please add.

You have been warned and suggested to make sure all these things will be checked. I promise. I missed getting an inspection last week but assume I will be getting one on Saturday.

The guys and gals that work for the state are doing there job and some enforce the rule by the book more than other and some let things slide. At Willard they do not anything slide.

Cheers
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[Sotally__Tober]

Oh yeah lights on the boat if your launching early or staying late. Must have front green/red light and rear elevated white light.

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[Kent]

Good to know. Thanks for posting.

[quote Sotally__Tober]

I would recommend that you have a designated driver if you are a drinker which is always a good idea. I may or may not be a drinker but if I was a drinker I would be a responsible one.

[/quote]

With your username, how could anyone possibly jump to the conclusion that you might down a few now and then?[]
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[SkunkedAgain]

Great tips for all of us to review, I didn't know it had to be marine certified extinguisher, I better check mine.... I think if your boat is under 16' the throw cushion isn't required, but I better recheck that one... Also found my airhorn has lost pressure so I need a new one... Spring fix it times, much better at home than ticketed at the ramp... Thank you... J
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[retch_sweeney]

I've been on Willard in my 16' Tracker at least 60 times in the last 4 years and was checked once 2 years ago. I didn't have an air horn but he told me the whistle on my floating keychain was sufficient.
I'll get an air horn now since over the last few years there seems to have been a lot of confusion over interpretation of the regs by law enforcement.
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[MisterCompletely]

Thanks for the heads up. I would think they'd give you something showing that your boat was inspected so they wouldn't have to keep doing it repeatedly on the same boat. The hardest thing for me is to remember to put the current insurance papers and registration etc in the boat, but I generally have copies in the truck also.
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[fish_hntr]

With all of the preventable incidents/deaths they have been dealing with on the water the last few years I am not surprised, and being the first body of boat-able open water in the area they are likely trying to get the word out early for the sake of safety.
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[Fishin_Fool78]

Is there a website that details what is required in specific sized boats (ex. 12' aluminum)? Thanks for the heads up!
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[Lundman]

Try this link: https://stateparks.utah.gov/resources/bo...aws-rules/
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[rancid_crabtree]

Remember the fellow fisherman that drowned there last spring falling from his boat, And the officer who died on an wave runner the year before during an attempt to help others. That may be why they are targeting Willard.
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[mtncat1]

if you go to Willard bay BEWARE the rangers have been very heavy handed in their enforcement of these regulations , there is no rhyme or reason to when or if they are going to inspect you . Travis's friend was not allowed to launch and received several warning tickets .
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[Sotally__Tober]

Just to clarify, I do things by the book. My boat is dialed with everything the state requires and more safety items on top of that. This was a simple massage to make others aware that the guys at Willard are on top of the boat inspections and are very very thorough.


I don't disagree with it one bit. Thumbs up to the Willard guys and gals.


Just a heads up so you have every single duck in a row that the state requires and to know the law for your size of boat if you are heading to Willard. The chance you do get inspected and end up with citations could make for a crappy day. I did have 3 inspections early last year at Willard with-in a 30 day period. Bad luck or good luck what ever. Happened to me. Passed them all. no problems. I was warned that I would need a new fire extinguisher for 2016 boating season.


I wish I could say I have boated/fished there 60 times in the last 4 years but I have not. I assumed that I would get inspected last Saturday but didn't. my buddy did at the south marina where I launched.


The guys are doing their jobs to saves lives.


Cheers
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[Tin-Can]

I fish WB more than any other water because it's close to home. Have fished it since I bought my first boat in 2004. And I learn something new every year. I have had boat inspections almost every year, and have never had any citation or issues. Last year I was checked on the first day I launched, then in July over the 4th weekend I was asked if I had had a recent inspection. I said I had one in like April, showed them the green copy they always give you, and was sent on my way with no further delay. But one time a year, or every time I launch, I don't mind the inspections because I know my stuff is all in one sock, all the time as far as the laws require. I just wish they would hit and catch the boaters that totally disregard the no wake laws, the in and out proper sides of the channels (the buoys are there (once they place them) for more than colorful decoration. Just remember RED-RIGHT-RETURNING, so if you are coming in to the marina, the red marker should be on YOUR right.) And especially the too close proximity water donuts that the wave runners like to run around me when I'm anchored.
I believe the requirement for a boat horn applies to boats that are 15 ft. or longer. I have a boat whistle, and has always been good with the inspectors (my boat is only 14.6 ft.).
I have both a bilge pump, and a bailing bucket. Pumps can fail, batteries can die, and my bailing bucket gets used more for "human" bailing than boat bailing. []
A Marine grade Fire Ext is usually painted White, should be Class A B & C rated, should have a readable pressure gage, and as stated, should be less than 10 years old, and mounted in a easily accessible place on the boat (not buried in the rope locker) And at least once or twice a year, a responsible boat operator will pull the Fire Ext off the rack, check the gage, check to be sure the safe pin is installed, and shake the thing back and forth a few times. If you hear it "clunking" then the chemical agent has solidified, and even with good pressure in the cylinder, the thing won't work worth spitin in the wind if you need it.

ST, didn't mean to hijack your post. But agree with all you said.

Fish on, ya'll [fishin]
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[Sotally__Tober]

Hey T-C. Thanks for hijacking my post. About 100% of the time I post on this lovely forums name BFT I some how get guys that seem and maybe I am wrong want to start a pissing match. I don't get it. I was giving a heads up and I was called out like I was full of crap. I really could 2 sh**s about other people getting tickets. Or if what they think of me.

I feel that I use this site for conditions more than anything. Sure I read the fish catching stuff as well. But for the info I gain in gas saving in towing my boat to a ramp that is iced over or towing my 4-wheelers or snowmobiles to go ice fish and have open water is worth reading and contributing to this site. There is a really really good group of guys on this site and then there is that other group.

I feel I am in the first of the groups but maybe I am wrong. If so. Let me know and boot me off your site and I will just mooch lake conditions and never give what I seem is some valuable info to the next fisher person.

So, I will be on the water at Willard tomorrow. The the ugly fat guy. If you see me dragging big board its 3 other guys in the boat, please get our attention and flip us off. I will assume you are a fellow BFT'er and I will take it as a hello.

Cheers to you good guys and pound sand to you others.

P.S. I have been pouting all week since hydro fish caught fish last week and I sucked and all I caught was a big ole stinky carp in the top fin. Well I have a really good chance to out fish tom this week. And yes maybe is because he couldn't make out. That's not the point. Come on fish.
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[Tin-Can]

ST - got the rare opportunity to sleep in past 6 AM today. Getting my stuff together to head for the south marina WB. Need to change the oil, and lower end lube, then get TinCan off the trailer and replace my trailer bunks. If the weather stays agreeable, and I don't run into any problems, I just might get a chance to get out and wash some worms. Always get skunked the first (and sometimes 2nd, 3rd, 4th........) trips to Willard. I guess that is what keeps me going back. Either the challenge, or I just like the skunk travelling companion [:/].

The Dr. Seuss quote "those that mind, don't matter. And those that matter don't mind"

So press on doing what you do, on the water and on BFT, and don't worry about those that don't matter.
If I see ya, I'll wave, and not the one finger salute either. Hope ya catch a mess today.

Fish on [fishin]
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[fishgiver]

THANKS !! Although I do not fish from a boat, use a pontoon, a reminder is always welcome.
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[albinotrout]

[quote Fishin_Fool78]Is there a website that details what is required in specific sized boats (ex. 12' aluminum)? Thanks for the heads up![/quote]

You can find all this on the state parks website under boating.
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[humpy]

Thanks for the heads up! I think I'll go through my boat today and make sure I have all my ducks in the boat. Looking forward to getting on the water again, as soon as my new knee will allow. In the meantime I enjoy reading all the posts of successful and failed attempts...

thanks, humpy
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[Tarponjim]

From a handbook I used when taking the Coast Guard Captain's exam:
The motorboat is not considered “of open construction” if any one or more of the following conditions exist:
a. Closed compartment under thwarts (motor well) and seats wherein portable fuel tanks may be stored.
b. Double bottoms not sealed to the hull or which are not completely filled with flotation material.
c. Closed living spaces.
d. Closed stowage compartments in which combustible or flammable materials are stored.
e. Permanently installed fuel tanks.

So basically, "open construction" means a single layer floor (or doubled with flotation in between), outboard motor, and external exposed fuel tank(s). FWIW, the only boat fires I've been a part of were electrical. Trolling motor wires above the battery, and the outboard motor itself. Both times, the extinguisher was used to put out flames! (both times there were bananas on the boat too) Carry an extinguisher!
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[dubob]

[font "Comic Sans MS"][#800000]Thanks for the clarification TJ. Pretty much what I thought but with a much better description. And as I quoted above from the safety checklist, "[/#800000][#800000]they are recommended for all motorboats."[/#800000][/font]
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