Permit for gathering of 50 boats.

[Boatdog]

Does anyone know anything about this? Does this mean 50 boats rafted, 50 boats in a certain area? How are they going to enforce it? I know this is a stupid example, but does this mean if I am at Swan Point on a Saturday morning, get on the radio to tell a friend the fishing is hot and heavy and 49 other boats show up, I will get a visit from DNR? I am not a partier and usually avoid big crowds on the water, but things are getting out hand. If all goes according to plan, the Dr.'s will be clearing me to go back to physical activities very soon, I have already started checking out boats and plan to back on the water again by the end of the year. As much as I hate to say it, it might be "Goodbye Maryland, Hello Virginia"...

[27 sailfish]

I think it is in response to " Bumper Bash " - large gathering off Dobbins Island in Magothy.

DNR had to spend a lot of money for man power on that event - it more / less just grew too large.

The way I read the ruling - would only apply to scheduled raft ups , not a group of boats who just happen to be in one area.

I'm thinking some of the poker runs or other large organized boating events.

Heck , if it applied to boats fishing - every pod of breaking fish in summer would need a permit.

[finatic Jason]

Hopefully after my registration fees go up 500% it won't be such a burden for dnr to police these events and the $25,000 permit will go away. Yeah right, anything for the state of O'Malley to make a buck. BumperBash and Hart-Miller aquapolooza have since been cancelled for 2012 due to this. I sure some around here think this is acceptable. I wonder if the organizers of Firework displays on the 4th will need to get the permit(example- eastern yatch club middle river)?

[kidz]

Last I read, the DNR is trying to get a bill passed to put restrictions on gatherings of 50 boats or more. Simomnaire is researching information the bill and its contents. A lot of issues happened with bumperbash(drinking, fighting, indecent exposure, and using surrounding beaches and communities for pick up points for non boat owners). Not to mention the trash and who handles emergencies that came from this bash. Sad thing is that the Magothy river gets the brunt of this gathering. The MRA supports this gathering but won't let the owner of the islkand do what he wants to build on it and take measures to save the island from dissapearing. Guess we'll have to see what the politicians want to do.

[Fishen 4 Bubba]

Here's a question......
This year bumper bash was cancelled but I know a large portion of the crowd that usually goes will still go for a raftup that day. How will this 50 boat limit be enforced and are individual boaters at risk for citations? You can go to Dobbins any Saturday or Sunday and find over 50 boats in the sandy portion where everyone likes to be. Are we supposed to count boats now before entering an area where other boats are. I really don't agree with law and I think the state is going to far(as usual). Also, will this be enforced equally among all events. Does this mean that when folks go watch the speed boat races in Kent Narrows that they will need the permit. What about when the Blue Angels fly, or fourth of July firworks displays up by the Harbor. I think this is crazy.

I was at Bumperbash last year with my boat. It was one of the best times I have ever had on the water....fishing included. DNR and other enforcement put on a good display but I did not see anyone get arrested and did not see them checking boat operators.
Why not step up enforcement and go after those who are the problem. Cite the people who are acting ignorant and arrest those for BUI. Word would get out about that and the problem crowd would decrease.

[rj]

here is an old thread on this topic,, senate bill 127,, requested by DNR

http://www.tidalfish.com/forums/show...ions?highlight=

[finatic Jason]

I agree these events have there inherent problems. I have never been to bumper bash but have attended similar events up my way. The same thing occurs at firework events each July. Lots of people drinking for 12 hours while out in the sun all day. On any given weekend there are boats full of teens, pissed drunk at Millers island. How will this rule effect the park? Will they cut the boat limit at 50? I wonder if there is no official organizer for an event how can dnr police the event and apply it's fines. I just don't see the differnce between 100 boats anchored at Swan point bar fishing vs. 100 boats anchored in a river(besides the booze). If you break up one and not the other well that just dosen't make sense. How will they determine if there is a sponsor or not?

[Lone Ranger]

The end of Bumper Bash ain't nothin' but Money in the right pockets!!!! Not hard to figure!!

[Marek]

What about all the blow boats in the city dock ????????????????????????????????????????????? Not only are there more than 50 wine and cheese boats but most of them voted for Omally and O bama . That deserves alot more then a ticket !

[ste6168]

The end of Bumper Bash ain't nothin' but Money in the right pockets!!!! Not hard to figure!!

There will be no "end" to Bumper Bash. Sure, it will not be as official as it was in year's past, but there will still be a large group of people who raft up at Dobbin's Island on a set date this summer.