You know, I just can't believe American Lake is falling under the same rules and guidelines as other federal waterways that are connected to the ocean. It's a lake, not feeding into or out of Puget Sound. Yes, there are military shorelines, but the rules for federal waterways are big time overkill for a small boat with a 4hp motor not on "real" federal water. Seriously, does the CG cruise American Lake to ensure your boat has all the required equipment to operate on federal waters? How many tenders (aka inflatables with motors) are used in the sound and don't have reg numbers and all the stuff required for operating on a federal waterway?
I'm not advising breaking the law, but there is a point where all this stuff being talked about is absolute nonsense for American Lake. Flares? Bells? Whistles? Horns? Throwable flotation devices? First aid kits? Anchors? I know some of this is tongue in cheek, but where do you draw the line?
Toni is just trying to be legal, and quite frankly, I wouldn't bother with any of it at American Lake. Her motor is under the 10hp limit, so unless the Pierce County Sheriff Marine patrol or CG is out there enforcing federal waterway rules, I wouldn't be the least bit concerned. If they are, I'd find somewhere else to fish, the hassle of meeting those requirements for a 10' boat with 4hp outboard would take all the fun out going there in the first place.
