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White Lake, NC

HISTORY OF WHITE LAKE

White Lake-a body of water in Bladen County containing some 1,200 acres and is a commercial resort area.

Climate-White Lake has an average temperature of 63 degrees and an average rainfall of 49.06 inches.

White Lake's first commercial operation opened in 1901. The town was incorporated in 1951 and has a population of approximately 500 year-round with about 200,000 tourists visiting the Lake each summer. White Lake offers excellent swimming, boating, wake boarding, jet skiing and water skiing opportunities that help make that perfect family vacation. In addition, the lake has amusement parks, and numerous other recreational facilities, including the newly built White Lake Water Park, the all-new Crystal Beach and the White Lake Family Fun Park, formerly Goldston's Beach. Motel, cottage, and campground accomodations are available, i.e. Camp Clearwater, White Lake Motel and Campground, as well as permanent home sites. A beautiful 18-hole golf course is located between White Lake and Elizabethtown.

White Lake is unique in that it has  a white sandy bottom and is blessed with crystal clear waters. This is because it is fed by subterrannean springs. It is truly a child's paradise in that there are no currents, no tides, no hazardous depressions or real dangers of any kind to swimmers. It has been labeled "The Nation's Safest Beach". Some of the accommodations are open all year round. It is a choice resort area for southeastern North Carolina and one can spend an active and exciting day on the beaches and in the arcades, or a leisure time in the deep cool shade. White Lake is proud to be the home of the annual "White Lake Water Festival" which is held the third weekend in May each year.

INFORMATION

If you want more information on White Lake, contact the White Lake Town Office, located at 1879 White Lake Drive, White Lake, NC 28337 at 910-862-4800 or the Elizabethtown/White Lake Chamber of Commerce, located at 107 East Broad St, Elizabethtown, NC 28337 at 910-862-4368, www.elizabethtownwhitelake.com, Or you can visit the Town of White Lake website at www.whitelakenc.com. You may also get a schedule for the White Lake Water Festival on the website.

 

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PWC Legislation concerning the use of personal watercraft in the State of North Carolina.

WHAT IS A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)?

A personal watercraft (PWC) is a small vessel which uses an outboard or propellor-driven motor, or an inboard motor powering a water jet pump, as its primary source of motive power and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on, or being towed behind the vessel, rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside the vessel.

WHO CAN OPERATE A PWC?

No person under 12 years of can operate a PWC on the waters of this state. A person of at least 12 years of age but under 16 years of age can operate a PWC on the waters of this state IF:

1. The person is accompanied by a person of at least 18 years of age who physically occupies the watercraft; OR

2. The person possesses on his or her person while operating the watercraft, identification showing proof of age and a boater safety certification card issued by the Wildlife Resources Commission or proof of other satisfactory completion of a boating safety education course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA); and produces the indentification and certification card upon request of an officer of the Wildlife Resources Commission or local law enforcement agency.

Any person 16 years of age or older is not required to have a boating safety course to operate a PWC under this law.

It is unlawful for the owner of a PWC or a person who has temporaty or permanent responsibility for a person under the age of 16 to knowingly allow that person to operate a PWC.

OPERATION OF A PWC:

No person shall operate a PWC on the waters of this state at any time between sunset and sunrise.

No person shall operate a PWC on the waters of this state, nor shall the owner of a PWC knowingly allow another person to operate that PWC on the waters of this state, UNLESS:

  • Each person riding on or being towed behind such vessel is wearing a type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD) approved by the US Coast Guard. Inflatable PFD's do not satisfy this requirement.
  •  If the PWC is equipped by the manufacturer with a lanyard-type engine cut off switch, the lanyard must be securely attached to that person, clothing, or PFD of the operator at all times while the PWC is being operated in such a manner to turn off the engine if the operator dismounts while the watercraft is in operation.

No person shall operate a PWC towing another person on water skis or similar device UNLESS:

  • The PWC has on board, in addition to the operator, an observer who shall monitor the progress of the person or persons being towed, or the PWC is equipped with a rearview mirror; AND
  • The total number of persons operating, observing, and being towed does not exceed the number of passengers identified by the manufacturer as the maximum safe load for the vessel.

PWC's must at all times be operated in a reasonable and prudent manner. Maneuvers that endanger life, limb, or property shall constitute reckless operation of a vessel. The maneuvers include:

  • Unreasonable or unnecessarily weaving through congested vessel traffic;
  • Jumping the wake of another vessel within 100 feet of such vessel or when visibility around each vessel is obstructed;
  • Intentionally approaching another vessel in order to swerve at the last possible moment to avoid collision;
  • Operating at a greater than no-wake speed within 100 feet of an anchored or moored vessel, the shoreline, a dock, pier, swim float, marked swimming area, swimmers, surfers, persons engaged in angling, or any manually operated propelled vessel; and
  • Operating contrary to the "rules of the road" or following too closely to another vessel, including another PWC. "Following too closely" means proceeding in the same direction and operating at a speed in excess of 10 miles per hour when approaching within 100 feet to the rear or 50 feet to the side of another vessel that is underway unless that vessel is operating in a narrow channel, in which case a PWC may operate at the speed and flow of other vessel traffic.

NOTE: Nothing in this law prohibits local governments, marine commissioners, or local wake authorities from passing more restrictive regulations on PWC's or regulate additional aspects of PWC operation that are not covered by this law.

RENTING PWC'S: No livery shall lease, hire, or rent a PWC to or for the operation by a person under 16 years of age unless that person meets the requirements listed under the provisions of "WHO CAN OPERATRE A PWC?"

It is unlawful for any person, firm or corporation to engage in the business of renting PWC's to the public for operation by the rentee unless such person, firm, or corporation has secured insurance for his own liability and that of his rentee in the amount of three hundred thousand dollars ($300,000), from an insurance company duly authorized to sell liability insurance in this state. This insurance shall be on each PWC rented.

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PRACTICE SAFETY: ALWAYS FOLLOW THE RULES AND WEAR YOUR LIFE VESTS!

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LEARN TO SWIM-The best thing anyone can do to stay safe in and around the water is to learn to swim--this includes adults and children. The American Red Cross has swimming courses for people of any age and swimming ability. To eroll in a swim course, contact your American Red Cross.

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WATER SAFETY: Tips for boating and other water sports

Are you looking forward to trading the daily grind for some time on the water? Taking out the boat, dusting off your water skis or trying a new water sport may be the ideal way to relax and enjoy the water this summer. Just remember to include water safety in your plans.

Boating-Before you head out, brush up on basic safe-boating rules.

  • Lean to swim. The American Red Cross offers swimming courses for everyone. If you're not comfortable taking a class, arrange for private instruction.
  • Take a boating-safety course. Check with the American Red Cross or the U.S. Coast Guard. Topics typically include what to do in an emergency, navigation basics, and the effects of wind, water conditions and weather.
  • Wear a life jacket. Stock the boat with enough Coast Guard-approved life jackets for everyone on board. More than 80% of people who drown in boating accidents aren't wearing life jackts.
  • Protect your passengers from carbon monoxide. Boat engines emit carbon monoxide, an odorless-but deadly- gas. To prevent carbon monoxide poisoning, keep passengers away from the engine, both in the boat and in the water. If your boat has a gas engine to generate electricity-to run an air conditioner in a cabin, for ex.-make sure there's proper ventilation, and install carbon monoxide detectors in sleeping and living quarters.
  • Share your plans. Make sure someone on land knows where you plan to go and when you plan to return.
  • Avoid alcohol. Water sports and alcohol don't mix. Alcohol impairs judgement, balance and coordination-all essential for safe boating.
  • Watch the weather. Head back to shore if the skies look threatening.

Water Skiing-Stay safe when riding the wake.

  • Wear a life jacket. Bright colors are most visible.
  • Seek out low-traffic areas. Avoid heavily traveled boating lanes and areas reserved for fishing.
  • Stay visible. Don't ski after dark.
  • Don't go it alone. The drive needs to focus on what's ahead. Make sure there's someone else in the boat to watch you ski.
  • Understand the driver. Clarify the hand signals the drive will use for slowing down, speeding up and turning around.
  • Beware of moving propellers. Don't approach a boat with a running motor.
  • Prevent hypothermia. Wear a wet suit in cold water to prevent hypothermia, a condition in which your body temperature drops too low.

Personal Watercraft-Whether you have your own watercraft or you're renting one for the day, the same safety guidelines apply.

  • Know what you're doing. Take lessons before you head out for the first time, or review the owner's manual periodically.
  • Wear a life jacket. Life jackets are jsut as important on personal watercraft as they are on boats and water skis. You may want to wear goggles to protect your eyes as well.
  • Don't ride alone. Stick with a group of two or three, in case anyone has trouble.
  • Avoid alcohol. Don't drink alcohol while you're using a personal watercraft.