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| Roger LeBlanc on the Water Safety Patrol Boat |
According
to the American Red Cross, water competency is a way of improving water safety
for yourself and those around you through avoiding common dangers, developing
fundamental water safety skills to make you safer in and around the water, and
knowing how to prevent and respond to emergencies. The Red Cross also points
out that by working together to improve water competency – which includes
swimming skills, water smarts and helping others – water activities can be
safer… and just as much fun. Working together to improve water safety is
one of the missions of the Little Sebago Lake Association (LSLA) boards, whose
motto is “Safety is no accident”.
In
fact, the association has created a Water Safety Program directed by Sharon Lamontagne,
a long time LSLA board member. It also includes a Patrol boat, captained and managed
by Roger LeBlanc. The patrol boat motors around the 1,900
acres of crystal-clear water every Friday, Saturday and Sunday offering
a friendly reminder to both residents and visitors alike, the importance of water
safety.
The
patrol team, which consists LeBlanc, John Bernier, Kate Martin and Cedric
Harkin, cruises the lake educating and encouraging swimmers, kayakers, canoers,
jet skiers, and motor boaters to adhere to safety guidelines. “We are about
having fun and enjoying the water with the intent of avoiding accidents….and
that we care about your safety as well as the safety of others,” stated Lamontagne, who leads the lake association Water Safety program.
Little
Sebago Lake, as most lakes in Maine, is becoming a popular spot for water
activities. “Over the years it has become more and more crowded and congested,”
Lamontagne said. “Many people, especially new members or renters who are not
seasoned boat drivers and not are aware of the boating laws with the State of
Maine - we wanted to serve as a gentle reminder to know the laws and to stay
safe.”
The
association’s safety patrol program began 15 years ago, by “accident”, when a
member donated an old pontoon boat. “I wondered what we should do with the boat
but realized we could fix it up and outfit it to serve in the manner of
promoting water safety education and awareness,” Lamontagne stated.
It
was from that point the LSLA developed the program. “We fixed up the boat,
added signage on the side and began by volunteers patrolling on Saturdays and
Sundays – increasing our presence as time went on. People loved to see the
patrol boat on the lake and would slow down or show us they had their life
jackets. Boaters and kayakers would even stop to talk to us.
According
to the 2019 LSLA’s yearly newsletter, accidents occur on Maine lakes every year.
In that newsletter, it stated that the State of Maine had a total of four boat
crashes that involved more than $2,000 in damages and 10 personal injury
crashes that involved the Warden Service. Little Sebago Lake was one of the
lakes to be included in those statistics.
Over
the years, as the lake became more popular and therefore more crowded, the committee realized it needed
actual law enforcement as well as what the patrol boat was doing to educate. For
a number of years, LSLA hired the Cumberland County Sherriff’s Department to
patrol the lake throughout the summer . It grew into a very successful program
– but eventually the sheriff’s department became short staffed. Presently, LSLA
contracts with the Maine State Warden Service to patrol the lake most weekend
days.
“We
are about having fun on the water – not about chastising people who may not
know the boating laws of the State of
Maine,” reminded Lamontagne. “We reward people for good behavior. If they have
the required number of life jackets or are driving with no wake near shoreline
– we will give out gift certificates for pizza, Subway sandwiches and ice
cream. This is especially good for children to see that observing the law has
positive consequences. In addition, it educates them regarding water safety in
a fun and engaging way.”
“Captain”
LeBlanc stated that meeting people is what he loves best about his role on the
Water Safety Pontoon. “I have met so many people on the lake, it’s been such a
fun experience, “LeBlanc began. “I enjoy talking with them and sharing some
safety techniques while I’m at it. If people don’t have life jackets, we have
some available on the pontoon and will loan them what they need while in the
water. We also carry gas cans on the boat for those who are running low on fuel.
What’s so amazing to me is that people always return the life jackets and the
gas cans, putting them right back in the Safety Patrol boat as it sits at the
dock.”
In
his fifth season as Captain, one may find LeBlanc available for children and
their families for a tour around the lake. “While we are on the tour, we talk
about various subjects such as the proper fitting of a life jacket and how to
throw a safety ring into the water to help someone in need,” he stated. “The
kids love it, but just as important – the parents learn a little bit more about
water safety, too.”
Another
service the Water Safety Patrol has added this year is, upon request, the
Patrol boat will go to Association members’ homes to educate and inform all
family members the importance of water safety awareness.
Additionally,
the LSLA pays for members to take water safety classes provided by the State of
Maine. “We sponsor a class every year at the Raymond Public Safety Building,”
stated Lamontagne.
The
Water Safety Program includes a working relationship with the Cumberland County
Dispatch service center and have created six entry points onto the lake so
medical personnel can easily respond to any emergency. As LeBlanc pointed out,
the Water Safety Patrol Pontoon is not a first responder.
Perhaps
what is just as important to the water safety component of the LSLA members and
residents of the lake, is that of unity and kinship. “The Safety Patrol Program
has even increased our membership and has provided a sense of community among
us,” stated Lamontagne.
“We
are just good Samaritans who are having fun while educating the public on ways
to have fun, and yet safe experience, on the lake.”
