Folks!!!! It's time to start the "River Season"!
I know y'all Flag Island Visitors are rare'in to go......
As y'all contemplate come'in up River, let's cover some basic's:
1) The "Po Po" is gettin thick on the River... seems we have enough tax dollars to place Rankin County, Madison County, PRV and DWFP officers on a 5 mile stretch of river... Scott County hasn't got a boat yet. Behave, respect the Law, don't act the fool, pull over and comply with their direction.... Look @ the Boating Safety Tips for what ya gotta do. Simple sh$$ like not havin a "throw " will cost ya $150 large......
2) The area around Flag Island is a no Wake Zone.... as in NO FREAKIN WAKE! not a ripple... on any given weekend there's a $1,000,000 worth plus boats parked on this spit of sand... we'd appreciate ya not tearing them up.....
3) There is no "reserved" parking on Flag Island...... Your buddy goes to get beer @ Ratliff and you want to save a spot.... NOT Happenin! Can be the cause of a fist fight or two..... Put your crappy Wally World beach chairs in the water thinkin that spot is saved .... results in crushed crappy Wally World beach chairs .....
4) We would like to think of Flag Island as a "Family" destination..... However, being fore warned is being fore armed..... While a great many children are on Flag on any given weekend, and all have a good time.. a cuss word or two might be heard.... the girls and boys might act a fool..... a brief fight might break out (not near as much as it use to, we're getting old).... I raised 2 Boys here, they're certified River Rats....... and normal.......
5) Most of all.... you'll meet people from all walks of life... Millionaire's , poor folk, rednecks and yuppies.... on Flag Island, we're all the same.... a bunch of guys admiring all that beautiful Southern bred <"can't beat them anywhere in the world and will kick a$$ to defend them"> women.... Put's a smile on your mouth thinkin about it......
A Few Tips On Traveling the Upper Pearl Safely
Thou Shall Not Drive Smack in the Middle of the Channel
1) Boat rules are kind of like cars, stay to the right on the river, pass on the left only when it's safe and you have a clear view of what's coming at you.
Thou Shall Not Think Thy Boat is Faster Than Others
2) When in doubt, slow down and let the other guy pass safely. Better to cuss him out and live to ride another day. This applies when you come up on some skiers/wakeboarder's/tubes... Look around, if you can't pass safely... simply slow down... If you don't know what to do, simply stop. It ain't worth hurting somebody to gain a few seconds......
Thou Shall Not Be an Idiot
3)This one is straight forward for those who don't know.... wind, sun, sand & water sap a lot out of you, more than you know (about 2 to 1 versus land). As a former water ski instructor, I know, it makes a big difference. If ya gonna drink, find someone to drive. Boating & drinking is twice as bad as a car & the results are twice as bad.
I ain't naive, if you drink & gonna drive, idle the son of bitch down the river. Enjoy the view, point out the local flora and fauna, remark how well Eddie has improved the Island, stop at Survivor Island and visit with Kim. Remark how well you're navigating the 180 degree turn above Ratliff. The goal here is everybody get's home safe. Better to be slow than an idiot that hurts someone. Once you get to land, call someone (preferably sober) and catch a ride. Taxi's will come to Ratliff & Tommy's. Let's set a goal that nobody get's hurt or dies on the upper Pearl. Besides, a BUI or DUI sucks.
Thou Shall Be Responsible for Thy Wake
4) "No Wake Zone" Comin outta Tommy's, Ratliff Ferry, right below Survivor Island to right above Eddies Island, from Bitch Island to past Flag Island are all NO WAKE ZONES. <Don't know where this is @, see map>Plenty of Po Po who will write u tickets for violating this rule. And if u want 2 know, tickets start @ $150.... Depending on how much u piss off the po po.....
Thou Shall Make Sure Everyone Can Float
5) Make sure you have enough PFD's (life vest) for everyone in the boat (i.e. one of those ugly square things from WalMart for everybody on the boat). If you have anyone under 13 years old on the boat, they must be wearing the PFD at all times, period.
Thou Shall Make Sure "The Drunk Guy in the Water" Survives
6) Have a "throwable" on the boat if it is over 16' feet. Generally, this is a square boat cushion. Get one at Walmart for a few bucks.
Thou Shall Respect the Law
7) Respect the Law Enforcement Officers. These guys are trying to make sure we don't kill ourselves. Don't act the fool, pretend you know the law or think your above it. Follow their instruction and treat them with respect. They keep the River safe.
These are a few simple Rules to Follow and we will all have a good time!
