HARVEYS LAKE — The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission has patrols planned for Harveys Lake through the week of the Fourth of July and the entire summer season, according to John Cummings, a waterways conservation officer.
The largest natural lake in the state by volume, Harveys Lake attracts water-lovers wanting to fish, boat, water ski and swim during the summer months and a violation of state water laws can put a damper on water activities.
“The most common issue, for Harveys Lake, are boaters not having the right size life jackets for the people on their boats,” Cummings said. “Sometimes, there is a child on the boat, and they only have an adult-sized life jacket.”
It is a state law that there must be enough “wearable” life jackets of the right size to fit everyone on the boat, he said.
“Lately, I’ve seen a lot of boats with last year’s registration,” Cummings said.
Boat registrations must be up-to-date, displayed on the vessel and on board, he said.
Harveys Lake boaters also need to adhere to speed limits, which are 45 miles-per-hour from sunrise to sunset on weekends and holidays from Memorial Day through to Labor Day, according to the state Fish and Boat Commission website, www.pfbc.pa.com.
There is no speed limit during the weekdays, he said, adding a speed restriction of not traveling too fast in a no-wake zone, is enforced seven days a week.
Cummings defined a no-wake zone as “100 feet from anything not moving in the lake,” which includes docks, stopped boats, floating islands and other structures in the lake.
Cummings will also be looking for boats with operating violations such as people standing and driving a vessel that is less than 20 foot long, traveling too fast or too slow and those boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“The alcohol limit is the same as on the road,” Cummings said. “It is .08 for adults over 21.”
Boating under the influence is a criminal offense and can result in hefty fines, jail time, loss of boating privileges and mandatory boat safety training, he said.
