Endeavour105
DIS Veteran
- Joined
- May 4, 2005
- Messages
- 1,254
Be advised that the Watercraft CMs operating the WDW Watercraft boats servicing the MK have radios and you can guarantee they will report ANYONE using Searaycers driving recklessly or too close to the ferry boats, motor cruisers and motor launches to Lake Patrol who, depending on the circumstances, will throw the offender(s) off the water.
Stay at least 150' away from the ferry boats, cruisers and launches and stay out of the ferry boat channel - except to cross it perpendicular to the ferry boat direction of travel.
It certainly sometimes seems that guests renting Searaycers and other rental boats must sign a statement certifying that they are complete idiots and are willing to risk their lives and the safety of their rider, if any, in order to rent in these small boats.
There is a "No Wake" zone, in the Waterbridge Channel connecting 7 Seas Lagoon with Bay Lake.
Also, in this channel Searaycer renters need to occasionally look behind them to check for other boats - it seems most times, many renters are oblivious to anything to their stern - sometimes , Watercraft CMs piloting motor cruisers will, while still maintaining a safe distance, 'sneak up' on an oblivious Searaycer and lay on the cruiser's air horn just to see the surprised Searaycer operator
whip their head around getting a mild form of 'whiplash'.
Also, although not posted as with the Water Bridge Channel, the areas within 150' of all of the docks are considered No Wake zones. Unfortunately, this seems to not be commonly known. Although small boats, nevertheless, the wakes from Searaycers passing too close to docks at speed with a WDW Watercraft motor launch at the dock results in quasi-violent rocking of the launch presenting a safety hazard to guests boarding or disembarking the launch, and, to a lesser degree, the motor cruisers.
FYI - WDW Watercraft stopping distances (under full Emergency STOP conditions from full speed and calm water conditions with no guests onboard)
Ferry Boats (190 tons): 2+ boat lengths = 240'+
Motor Cruisers (20 tons): 1+ boat length = 70'+-
Motor Launches (10 tons): 1+ boat length = 45' +-
The most frequent Searaycer offences seem to be related to the ferry boat channel that runs in a somewhat straight line between the MK and the TTC. Some years ago, and not personally witnessed, a woman, obviously TOTALLY oblivious to the oncoming ferry boat, decide to stop her small boat right in front of a ferry boat in the middle of the ferry boat channel to take a picture. The result was not very pretty with the 'Cusinart' effect of the forward ferry boat prop on her and her smallboat.
Other frequent Searaycer offences include:
1. Wake jumping too close to the sterns of the WDW Watercraft.
2. Driving too close to the WDW Watercraft.
3. Going full speed too close to docks and docked WDW Watercraft.
4. Reckless operation near other boats.
To summarize, you now have some guidelines on what to consider when operating rental watercraft on 7 Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
It certainly seems that many WDW guests renting boats have been lulled into some false sense of security for whatever reason during their visit and forget that all boats can be dangerous if not safely and properly operated.
As it was once said during the WDW traditions course for all new WDW CMS:
"Always remember and never forget that many guests visiting WDW have left their brains at home."
Stay at least 150' away from the ferry boats, cruisers and launches and stay out of the ferry boat channel - except to cross it perpendicular to the ferry boat direction of travel.
It certainly sometimes seems that guests renting Searaycers and other rental boats must sign a statement certifying that they are complete idiots and are willing to risk their lives and the safety of their rider, if any, in order to rent in these small boats.
There is a "No Wake" zone, in the Waterbridge Channel connecting 7 Seas Lagoon with Bay Lake.
Also, in this channel Searaycer renters need to occasionally look behind them to check for other boats - it seems most times, many renters are oblivious to anything to their stern - sometimes , Watercraft CMs piloting motor cruisers will, while still maintaining a safe distance, 'sneak up' on an oblivious Searaycer and lay on the cruiser's air horn just to see the surprised Searaycer operator
whip their head around getting a mild form of 'whiplash'.Also, although not posted as with the Water Bridge Channel, the areas within 150' of all of the docks are considered No Wake zones. Unfortunately, this seems to not be commonly known. Although small boats, nevertheless, the wakes from Searaycers passing too close to docks at speed with a WDW Watercraft motor launch at the dock results in quasi-violent rocking of the launch presenting a safety hazard to guests boarding or disembarking the launch, and, to a lesser degree, the motor cruisers.
FYI - WDW Watercraft stopping distances (under full Emergency STOP conditions from full speed and calm water conditions with no guests onboard)
Ferry Boats (190 tons): 2+ boat lengths = 240'+
Motor Cruisers (20 tons): 1+ boat length = 70'+-
Motor Launches (10 tons): 1+ boat length = 45' +-
The most frequent Searaycer offences seem to be related to the ferry boat channel that runs in a somewhat straight line between the MK and the TTC. Some years ago, and not personally witnessed, a woman, obviously TOTALLY oblivious to the oncoming ferry boat, decide to stop her small boat right in front of a ferry boat in the middle of the ferry boat channel to take a picture. The result was not very pretty with the 'Cusinart' effect of the forward ferry boat prop on her and her smallboat.
Other frequent Searaycer offences include:
1. Wake jumping too close to the sterns of the WDW Watercraft.
2. Driving too close to the WDW Watercraft.
3. Going full speed too close to docks and docked WDW Watercraft.
4. Reckless operation near other boats.
To summarize, you now have some guidelines on what to consider when operating rental watercraft on 7 Seas Lagoon and Bay Lake.
It certainly seems that many WDW guests renting boats have been lulled into some false sense of security for whatever reason during their visit and forget that all boats can be dangerous if not safely and properly operated.
As it was once said during the WDW traditions course for all new WDW CMS:
"Always remember and never forget that many guests visiting WDW have left their brains at home."
but... respectfully agree to disagree. Maybe it is a bit blunt. If you were down here on a daily basis you may feel a bit differently.They are not talking about all guests and many may be taking it a bit too far. Another example: Why do some people let there kids swim(not talking about wading to the ankles or so) in the Lagoon in front of the Polynesian when the signs say not to? Risk Taking? False Sense of Security? ..... left at home? There is a reason not to swim in the lake. Have witnessed this too many times to count this summer and 3 children have died in the area this summer (NOT ON DISNEY PROPERTY Sorry to shout. ) from a rare Encephalitis caused by a Amoeba that thrives in freshwater lakes here with warm water temps. 
