If you spend time on Maine lakes during the summer, chances are you have been greeted at the boat ramp by someone that wanted to look for hitchhiking plants attached to your boat. I wanted to know more about these Courtesy Boat Inspectors and how they are trained. To find out, I attended the 2010 training for lake association directors and board members who will be training and organizing Courtesy Boat Inspectors (CBIs) across Maine this summer.
The training was led by Maggie Shannon, the president of the Maine Congress of Lake Associations (COLA) . “Some aquatic plants can be propagated by plant fragments as small as or smaller than a quarter inch" said Maggie, enforcing the importance of diligence when inspecting boats.
Some aquatic plants can be propagated by plant fragments as small as or smaller than a quarter inch.
Maggie Shannon, Maine COLA President
It is essential to keep any and all plant parts from entering the lake or pond to protect the lake or pond from infestation by invasive species.
The most effective strategy for preventing invasive plants from accessing Maine lakes and ponds is educating boaters about invasive plants and the importance of properly inspecting their own boats every time they enter and leave a lake, stream, or pond. Maggie spoke about how CBIs protect Maine lakes many times over when they educate lake users about the damaging effects that invasive plants can have, and when they train boaters to carefully inspect their own boats and equipment.
At the end of the training Maggie demonstrated a Courtesy Boat Inspection. She began by showing the group the proper way to approach a boater, with consideration for his or her time and feelings. As she guided the group through the inspection, Maggie modeled pointing out trouble spots where plants might be “hiding” including angular/sharp places on the boat trailer, between the trailer and the boat, around the propeller, behind the boat trailer’s wheel wells, and between the back of the boat and the boat motor.
After my experience at the Courtesy Boat Inspector training I am committed to checking my kayak and equipment every time I enter and leave a water body. I plan to teach my friends, family, and acquaintances to do the same. We can work together to protect Maine lakes from invasive species. Check out this helpful CBI Training Video hosted on the Maine Volunteer Lake Monitoring Program webpage and learn how to properly check your boat before you float this summer!
Rebecca Martin, Vital Signs Team & AmeriCorps volunteer
