Here's one for all you dock owners.

[awhuber]

http://www.newstribune.com/news/2016/feb/09/bill-adds-boat-docks-trespassing-law/

[Al Agnew]

Sounds logical to me.  I didn't know you couldn't already keep people off your dock.

[fishinwrench]

That's a tad confusing since there has been many trespassing citations written for being on someone's dock without permission.    I guess most didn't know until now that the charge could easily be beat in court.

Of course the fine is only 70.00 plus cost.....and a lawyer to beat the charge would cost 1000.00+.

[Old plug]

I own a 32x32 ft 2 stall dock. i do not think this sort of legislation should even be brought up. It is not helpful at all. Further I really got to wonder. The guy submitting the legislation was not very thoughtful in his bill construction. Everything below the take line on LOZ belongs to Armens. Many docks including the ramps and cables are below the take line and therefore not connected to the person property. Also he states a  "public waterway."  I myself do not know if a privately owned water way is defined as a Public waterway. 

It would seem a arrogant display by dock owners to have no tresspaaing signs set up all over the place. To top it off your going to have things stolen 99% of the time at night. Some of us have day/night cameras off the dock that will catch and record anything going on down there 24 hrs a day. I can check my dock anytime I want through a computer anywhere I am. Many of us do not dislay warning msg either on the dock. My object is to catch a thief. Not scare him away.

 

[DADAKOTA]

I'd guess someone may have stepped onto our dock without permission at some point in time, but I personally am not aware of it.  Is there really a problem with folks hanging out or fishing on docks that they do not have permission?  Are they talking about the guy who steps on a dock to get a lure that is snagged?  Thieves are going to steal regardless of the laws.

[dtrs5kprs]

Wonder how it would impact taking shelter in a slip during a storm. Seems well intended, but could create a lot of problems.

[fishinwrench]

31 minutes ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Wonder how it would impact taking shelter in a slip during a storm. Seems well intended, but could create a lot of problems.

I do that all the time and have never had anyone get uptight about it.  Even had them come down and bring us beers.  

[Sam]

22 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

I do that all the time and have never had anyone get uptight about it.  Even had them come down and bring us beers.  

Me too!  When it's raining sideways and I can't get back to my truck, I'm real thankful to take shelter in an empty stall of someone's dock.  I always respect their property, and the dock owners I've met have always been great about it (even marinas).  I hope this new law won't do anything to change that.

[MOPanfisher]

 LOZ is public water not private, it is considered "waters of the state".  As for the law I think is very much a solution in search of a problem.  The law as written would offer nothing to any dock owner on any COE lake, as the docks definitely don't attach to private property. If they want to have that law it would seem easier to say any privately owned boat dock on waters of the state is private property subject to the same trespassing laws as real property.  I realize that lawmakers in Jeff City don't realize that there are other lakes besides LOZ, and to a lesser extent Table Rock and mostly don't care.  

 

[Old plug]

1 hour ago, dtrs5kprs said:

Wonder how it would impact taking shelter in a slip during a storm. Seems well intended, but could create a lot of problems.

It does not impact at all. Docks sit on the waters of the lake of the ozarks by the permission of Armens. In short if you pull your boat into empty stall and stay in it your not on the owners property. Armens says water of your dock is under your control they do not say it is yours. I believe that is for there protection. 

Wrench .....  I think it is rediculous. The docks are still private property no matter. It changes nothing . Just maybe the real reason is to get the docks taxed as real estate. That would amount to a tax increase for most people.