Long Pond Association
Lakeville and East Freetown Massachusetts
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    • Home
    • About
    • Lake Info
    • Membership
    • News & Information
    • Recreation
    • Gallery
    • Contact
    • Donate
Long Pond Association
Lakeville and East Freetown Massachusetts
  • Home
  • About
  • Lake Info
  • Membership
  • News & Information
  • Recreation
  • Gallery
  • Contact
  • Donate

Recreation on Long Pond

Long Pond is perfect for all kinds of water sports ranging from fishing, sailing, jet skiing,  water skiing, boating, ice fishing, paddle boarding, ice sailing to swimming and year round entertainment. Play safe and play smart, get to know the pond before you venture out.


Below is some important information to ensure everyone has fun and stays safe.

We're working on more information and resources as we ramp up our new website.


https://www.boat-ed.com/massachusetts/

https://www.mass.gov/how-to/boat-safety-certificate-course


Boating Information

Age Restrictions

Age Restrictions

Age Restrictions

 No person under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat, unless accompanied on-board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older. Personal watercraft (PWC) users must still be at least 16 years of age in order to operate, with no exceptions. 

 Youth who are between 12 and 15 years of age must complete an approved basic boating course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Upon successful completion of such a course, students are issued a state "boating safety certificate" which must be in the possession of the certified operator when underway. Personal watercraft users who are 16 or 17 years of age must also complete such a boating course. Youth less than 16 years of age are not allowed to operate personal watercraft. 

Safety Equipment

Age Restrictions

Age Restrictions

 Most of the state equipment carriage requirements are similar to federal laws. This primary list includes life preservers, fire extinguishers, signaling devices, visual distress signals, and navigation lights. In Massachusetts, life preservers are required to be worn by: (1) youth less than 12 years of age (2) personal watercraft users (3) waterskiers (4) canoeists/kayakers from September 15 - May 15. A boat owner or a boat's operator is responsible to ensure that passengers on-board wear life preservers as required. Additionally, the state requires that all motorboats (with the exception of personal watercraft) be equipped with an anchor, manual bailer, and line. A paddle or an oar is required on boats less than 16 feet in length. Motorboats towing skiers must also be equipped with a boarding ladder. Registration and numbering of all boats powered by machinery is required. 

Boating Safety

Prohibited Operations - AKA Don't Do These Things

 

The following types of operation are extremely unsafe and are prohibited:

  • Operating any vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs. A blood alcohol concentration of .08 BAC is the current standard of intoxication in Massachusetts. 
  • Operating a motorboat within 150 feet of a swimming area, whether public or private.
  • Operating at an excessive speed considering weather conditions, boat traffic, and other hazards.  For inland waters, operating at a speed greater than 45 mph is considered negligent operation.
  • Operating a motorboat without properly working lights.
  • Operating a motorboat during the nighttime while towing water skiers, tubers, etc.
  • Operating at greater than headway speed (6 mph or less) within 150 feet of a swimmer, waterskier, mooring area, marina, boat launch, or when the operator's vision is obscured in any way. Operating in an overloaded condition (carrying total weight that exceeds capacity plate recommendations or is excessive considering water conditions) Operating with passengers on the bow, gunwales, or any other place where there may be a chance of falling overboard.

Massachusetts Environmental Police

Boating Safety course

This course is available online and smart for all who plan on operating a boat to take to ensure we are all playing safely. 

It is a requirement for Youth who are between 12 and 15 years of age and want to operate a motorboat without adult supervision.

Find out more

A Picture Says a Thousand Words

We want to hear what your photos have. Take a look at our photo gallery for some beautiful personal visions of Long Pond.

There's even a place for you to send us your photos of life on Long Pond

Jump to our Photo Gallery
  • Help Keep our Pond Clean

Long Pond Association 2022

Hemlock Shore Road, Lakeville, Massachusetts 02347, United States

Copyright © 2022 Long Pond Association - All Rights Reserved.

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