When I was a kid, learning how to water-ski, I had a friend that owned a Boston Whaler with a 35hp Merc on the back of it. I would strap on one ski than the other. And, than the fatal words would come out of my mouth "Hit It!”, and I would promptly hit the water, face first.

If I had kids behind my boat and tried to get them up on skis with a 35hp, people would laugh at me. Today a 35 hp isn’t even considered on the edges of a ski boat. My how things have changed!

My question is this: How is the Department of Inland Fisheries going to insure the safety of Maine's inland waters. I’m concerned that the recent mishap on Long Lake will soon be forgotten and the status quo will remain in effect. I’m sure at one point in time people had to consider that a speed limit was needed on Maine roads to insure safety. The same is true of Maine’s inland waters. The time is now. Doing nothing is the same as making a bad decision.

Speed on the water will only get worse as technology overrides safety.

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