A fatal collision on Auke Lake last weekend prompted some renewed calls Monday and Tuesday for changes to how the lake can legally be used.
Sixteen-year-old Juneau-Douglas High School student Savannah Cayce was critically injured Saturday afternoon when a jet ski collided with the inner tube in which she and another 16-year-old girl were being towed by another jet ski, according to a police statement. Cayce died from her injuries at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle Monday morning. A police investigation into the incident is ongoing.
Speaking at a City and Borough of Juneau Assembly meeting Monday night as a member of the public, Michael Williams said his 16-year-old daughter had witnessed the incident. He read out what he said was a list of suggestions on how to improve safety at Auke Lake from an anonymous friend he said used to live there.
“Establish clear legal authority for regulation of the lake,” read Williams, who sits on Juneau Docks and Harbors’ board of directors but said he was only “speaking for myself,” not in an official capacity. “Develop motorized, non-motorized and swimming areas and hours of operations — has been done, but not enforced. Limit size, speed and horsepower of motorized vessels. Within the motorized area, have defined directions of travel. Prohibit float planes on the lake.”
Some who weren’t at the meeting also had concerns. Among them is Tom Rutecki, a research biologist who serves on the Juneau Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee, Rutecki said Tuesday that he has had safety concerns about Auke Lake for years. He said he thinks the most important issue is “density” and that the number of vehicles allowed on the lake at any given time should be limited.
“I just think right now, it’s totally unsafe to go swimming in that lake on a nice day,” said Rutecki.
Rutecki also sat on PRAC in 2006 when its then-chairwoman, Joan O’Keefe, drafted a letter to the CBJ Assembly Lands Committee recommending motor boats and jet skis be prohibited on Auke Lake due to the “small size” of the body of water. That letter, Rutecki said, was never entered into the record, despite PRAC’s efforts.
Rutecki said the regulations that do govern vehicle use on Auke Lake, including separate use areas marked by buoys, are not widely understood and not consistently enforced.
“There’s absolutely no enforcement … and people don’t even know what the rules are,” Rutecki said. “The Assembly, they hold all the cards in this. I think they have to come up with better rules than they have now. And it doesn’t matter what the rules are — they have to be enforced.”
Mayor Bruce Botelho said he wants to wait for the results of investigation by police and the Parks and Recreation Department, which administers the area, to decide what action he thinks the Assembly should take in response to the incident.
“I think any tragedy like this will trigger, should trigger review of our practices there,” Botelho said.
A state expert from the Anchorage-based Office of Boating Safety, part of the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, said accidents like the on that happened Saturday are more common elsewhere.
State boating law administrator Jeff Johnson, said that collisions involving a vehicle striking an object being towed behind another vehicle are “very rare” in Alaskan waters, though relatively common in the Lower 48.
“We’ve got plenty of room in most cases… in Alaska,” said Johnson, who has held his position since 1998 and said he has never heard of another towing-related fatality in that time.
“Because I’m not familiar with Auke Lake, I would hesitate to opine whether the lake is big enough for different kinds of uses,” said Johnson.
Lt. David Campbell of the Juneau Police Department said that while Auke Lake is under his department’s jurisdiction, as it is within the CBJ’s boundaries, the JPD does not regularly patrol the lake and is rarely called out to respond to incidents there.
“We primarily wait until we get a call from someone complaining about the issue before we look into it,” said Campbell. He said the JPD does not have its own boat or dive team.
CBJ code prohibits motorized vehicles on Auke Lake from operating between the shore and a buoy line, which is roughly 100 feet from the shore in most parts of the lake. It also sets hours for vehicle usage, restricts boat length on the lake to 16 feet, prohibits vehicle refueling on the lake and limits wake height to six inches in places. Restrictions are posted on a large sign at the lake.
• Contact reporter Mark D. Miller at 523-2279 or at mark.d.miller@juneauempire.com.
Comments (76)
Add commentbrad - don't be dense.
Eaglecrest has
- Capacity limits on the number of skiiers at the area at one time (though this limit has not been reached to my knowledge)
- Insurance
- Medically trained staff and 'rule enforcement' crew on-site during all operating hours - they're called Ski Patrol and they do an excellent job.
- Emergency procedures for everything from avalanche to injury.
- Safety equipment in place and updated sometimes daily, including signage, slow and closed areas, fencing, etc.
- Procedures for closing hazardous areas for avalanche and other dangers.
- equipment and rules to mitigate dangerous conditions (snowcats, safety bars on chairs, slow skiing areas, chair riding rules)
I've seen hundreds of people stopped by ski patrol or ski instructors or lift operators if they ignore these rules, and I've seen many passes revoked for the day.
Clearly - there is no comparison.
Jet Skis
People seem to forget how dangerous jet skis are. They are easy to drive, very fast, and don't have any brakes.
We don't have many jet ski accidents up here simply because the weather generally sucks and the water is so cold that recreational use of jet skis/ski boats, etc. just isn't as popular as it is down south. Jet skis and appropriate safe use of them on many lakes in Washington has been a battle ever since they became popular.
no apples there kpawsuh
one was towed by jet ski, other just a jet ski. Apples to apples analysis kpawsuh would be:
- a skier towing a sledder where sledder gets hit by another skier.
- a snow machine towing a sledder/skier where sledder/skier gets hit by another snow machine.
I think you got a little lost pushing your position on snow machines at Eaglecrest.
Since you brought it up, jet skis have used the lake for the past 15-20 years, hardly recent. I am curious, speaking of analysis how did you conclude the lake is to small? What would be the appropriate sized lake to have multiple use in an accident free scenario?
Varnish has it right... Be aware
and nobody breaks the rules Swimmergirl?
and there are no injuries or deaths skiing? all skiers follow all rules all the time?
Thanks, I needed a laugh swimmergirl!
Forgot what a dense person
Forgot what a dense person you are Brad. OK, so we add in snowmachines towing sledders. OK, so it has to be two sixteen year old girls on the sled and the snowmachine driven by a twenty year old male. Does the color of their garments matter? Maybe throw in a few alien spacecraft and black helicopters.
Also, where did you get the idea that I have a position on snowmachines at Eaglecrest? I dont frequent Eaglecrest. I xcountry ski, when I have time, when there is decent snow down on the flats, which means almost never.
And there have been jetskis on the lake for 15-20 yrs, yeah, like two at a time. It wasnt until recently (last 5 yrs) that you see multiples like 10. My scientific analysis consists of common sense like others have described above. Gee, I can accelerate across the lake in 1.8 seconds then must bank hard to avoid running aground. Small lake. Or they could just crank the wheel and accelerate and do the toilet bowl spin...
And I am not against jetskis. They look like a blast and I have been toying with buying one, for accessing some of the small islands around Juneau, for fishing off of, etc.
Palmslap
Brad, your comparison is completely asinine. The debate is not whether jet skiing is dangerous and downhill skiing isn't. The debate is that at Auke Lake the risks associated with dense motorized use cannot be adequately mitigated; whereas the risks associated with downhill skiing can be adequately (and actively) mitigated at Eaglecrest. Get a clue.
slegnawons,
AMEN! Thank you!!
Another Opinion
My condolences to the family for their loss. It was a tragic accident.
I have read through these comments and am surprised that education was brought up as little as it was.
This is Alaska, state of the USA, the Land of the free.
As Alaskans we should have more common sense about safety. We live in a place that is inherently more dangerous than other parts of the U.S. When someone is killed by a bear, do we take away the privilege of going hiking for everyone? When someone dies on the road in a sports car, do we close that road forever, or ban sports cars?
No. We educate. Educate. And Educate.
Any child given keys to a fancy new sports car who is not properly educated will be a hazard to others. This is true for any motorized vehicle or machinery - a truck, a jet ski, snow machine, even an airplane! This is the way it is. Users and parents (and in turn their children) need to be educated.
If my child is not mature enough to drive a car, I will not hand them the keys. And I would hope others do the same to keep everyone safe.
I swim in Auke lake. 9 times out of 10 the jet skiers are very responsible, follow the rules, and work with us, the swimmers to give us the right of way. Once in a while you get someone who should not be out there.
Police patrols and enforcement are not the only answer. They help, but especially here in Alaska we need to be able to enforce ourselves. And to do that we need to teach what is right and what is wrong to do. This will keep us from drowning when the water is to cold, colliding with other motor vehicles when we are operating them, and keep us from getting mauled by bears when there is no enforcement around.
This is the only fresh water lake with road access available without taking a ferry out of town. I would not want to have to take a ferry to enjoy a fresh water swim, and the jet skiers and boaters should not have to either.
I own a house at Auke lake. Yes the noise is obnoxious. But, if I bought a house near the airport, would I ask that Juneau not have air access so I could enjoy my peace and quiet? Instead of complaining, when I hear the noise at Auke lake it is usually a indication that I should be outside enjoying our beautiful land instead on a sunny day of being grumpy in the dark at home. A lot of times I hear a jet ski and go out to join them for a swim.
Thank you for reading my opinion.
Another Opinion
Sorry for the duplicate comment I have not done this before.
I know it doesnt mean much comin from me..
But I am incredibly saddened by your loss, Cayces. I sincerely hope that the good Lord is with you during this time.
Just a little info for all
Just a little info for all you arm chair quarterbacks. The only large boat (16ft with a 115hp engine) on the water that day was towing wakeboarders. They noramlly only go 20-25mph to create a larger wake. They were nowhere near the accident when it happened but came to the aid of the jetskiers pulled the girl from the water called 911 and transported her to the launch.
Your right maybe we should keep those people off the lake. DOOSH!
To what degree is CBJ
To what degree is CBJ accountable for this? CBJ was made aware of these dangers years ago but trying to get CBJ to pass regs to protect the public was like pulling teeth! Many folk do things because they believe it is safe if it IS legal.
But if people are raising cain and are saying hey there is a problem here the activity is not safe CBJ please do something and CBJ turns a blind eye?
Han, reading was never your strong suit
Han, if you had read the comments, there are many political opportunists on this thread using this poor girls deaths and the families agony to push their political agenda. It is not about mitigating risk, it is about keeping motorized vehicles off Auke Lake. It is about banning motorized recreational vehicles from all land in the CBJ. Only palm that needs slapping is yours, across your face to wake up.
jet ski
There are a number of responsible jetskiiers who have use the lake for years, since the "launch ramp" was a muddy hill. We're pleased as punch to share the lake with paddle-boarders, canoers, kayakers, swimmers(I loooove swimming in the lake), wake-boarders, etc. and are always considerate and aware of their needs. We exist and are as irritated by the increase of morons on the lake as those of you who form opinions without actually experiencing the goings-on out there. The call here simply needs to be for more/ any enforcement of rules and some education in common sense/courtesy. Time will tell what actually happens but maybe come out and chat with us before you get your skivvies in a bunch, we're just enjoying this great place we live in, same as you :) We live in a wild place filled with awesome, wild people.
Well said @Daniel_W. "This is the only fresh water lake with road access available without taking a ferry out of town. I would not want to have to take a ferry to enjoy a fresh water swim, and the jet skiers and boaters should not have to either."
The loss of Savannah should bring us together not tear us apart. Educate young people like her in proper behavior on a personal watercraft in her honor and see them flourish into adults who will teach their children the same, problem solved.
Brad, since when is common
Brad, since when is common sense a political agenda? They seem to not go together very well.
Put all those regulations in place
They would not have prevented this accident. There were no swimmers in this accident.
There were two passengers on a tow behind, somehow struck by another jet ski. It is not clear by any new report whether they were on the inner tube when struck or if they had fallen off and then struck.
Ban jet skies to the ocean the girls would have been in the ocean when struck. Might have lost both because of tide or rougher waters.
I would really hate to see a ban of motor craft on this lake. There are other places to swim, we have two pools, several lakes, and a couple beaches. Paddling can be done at those lakes and on the open water. I would rather paddle with the seals, than let some rookie try and water ski in the ocean. Sometimes it isn't about you, it is about your neighbor.
Can't see the forest for the trees.
Wrong again, Brad. I guess logic must not be your strong suit.
Your comment:
“Using the logic displayed by some, the CBJ should shut down Eaglecrest if anyone dies while recreating there.”
You implied that any argument against jet skis on Auke Lake is, by comparison, an argument against skiing at Eaglecrest. As I’ve already pointed out, you’ve missed the point entirely. Can the risks associated with dense usage of high-powered personal watercraft on Auke Lake be adequately mitigated? That is a fair question, regardless of political or other agendas.
bjfluetsch, I haven't noticed
bjfluetsch,
I haven't noticed your posts recently. It's great to see you on the forum again. I often don't agree with you. However, I always enjoy reading your point of view.
I'd really like to read Calypso's two-bits worth on this issue, too.
“I think any tragedy like
“I think any tragedy like this will trigger, should trigger review of our practices there,” Botelho said
I am sorry but why did it take a tragedy if people were already voicing concerns about safety? I think CBJ needs to review all of their practices regarding requests made by the public that have anything to do with concerns for public safety. These types of issues raised by the public are supposed to be a priority for the Mayor and CBJ.
I understand the fears...
First allow me to offer my most sincere condolences to the family and all those that knew Savannah.
I understand the fears of everyone that something could happen again but really... as a parent we fear our kids walking out the door. As the parent of 3 Juneau born and raised kids I get it.
Please do not allow the fun police to take away an otherwise great activity for our youth.
I have lived here for more than 35 years and have watched this community slowly remove every outdoor activity we took part in. We used to ride dirtbikes at Dredge Lake, in Lemon Creek and at Eagle River. We could ride horses on the flats and even on the side of the highway. None of these are allowed any longer because the fun police decided it wasn't something they enjoyed.
Accidents do happen... we need to teach our youth how to be careful in activities not take them all away. We are creating couch potatos by not allowing them to have outdoor activities.
Not everyone enjoys walking along a paved or boardwalk trail.
Swimmer
Many of the call to reg cries here would ban motorcraft from the lake, not just jet ski. Make it a no wake lake is cried by many, again this would not allow for any tow behind any craft. None of that would have prevented this, only changed the setting.
I don't see where the use of PFD or lack of PFD was a part of this accident. I haven't seen where drowning played a part in this. Cause need not be speculated out of respect for the family.
I want to see people able to ski, wake board, or any other kind of tow behind they want. I want them to jet ski, despite the tragic drowning of years ago off Suedla. I don't participate in any of those activities. But I respect my neighbor's right to do so. I can kayak elsewhere, I can swim elsewhere, they don't have an elsewhere.
Boating Ccarrying Capacity A review
See http://unionlake.org/resources/Boat+Carrying+Capacity+Article.pdf
A few motorized craft is about it for Auke Lake
Table 1
Summary of Optimum Boating Densities
Source Suggested Density Boating Uses
Ashton (1971) 5 to 9 acres/boat All uses combined in Cass Lake
20 acres/boat Waterskiing
15 acres/boat Coordinated waterskiing
Jaakson et al. (1989) 20 acres/boat
Waterskiing and motorboat
cruising
10 acres/boat Fishing
8 acres/boat Canoing, kayaking, sailing
10 acres/boat All uses combined
Wagner (1991) 25 acres/boat All recreational activities
Warbach et al. (1994) 30 acres/boat All motorized (> 5 HP) uses
Note. From “Four Township Recreational Carrying Capacity Study: Pine Lake, Upper Crooked
Lake, Gull Lake, Sherman Lake,” by, PAE, 2001, p. 13.
The Jaakson et al. (1989) study appearing in Table 1 will be reviewed below (see p. 9).
Based on these previous studies, PAE determined that 10 to 15 acres of water surface per
boat would be a conservative, aggregate estimate of optimum boat density. High-speed
watercraft (PWC and boats with motors greater than 25 HP) require more space, so this density
estimate was then adjusted for each of the four lakes in the study area, depending on the
proportion of high-speed watercraft. The boating density adjustment equation is calculated as
follows:
Equation 3
Boating Density Adjustment Equation
Boating density (in acres) = 10 + 5*(proportion of high-speed watercraft)
Hence, if there were no high-speed watercraft on a particular lake (i.e., proportion of high-speed
watercraft = 0.00), then its optimum boating density would be 10 acres per boat. Conversely, if
all boats on a lake were high-speed watercraft (i.e., proportion of high-speed watercraft = 1.00),
then the boating density would be 15 acres per boat.
Techniques for Estimating Boating Carrying Capacity - 8 -
Lake
Swimmer must know what I know
The girls were not wearing life jackets. That unfortunately still would not have saved Savannah. Rules should be placed on Auke Lake, Twin Lakes, Mendenhall Lake, etc. and enforced somehow. I'm just not sure how that can happen, but I hope it does.
Savannah, you are truly missed by so many of us. The tragedy of losing you to such a tragic accident will make a difference in this community, hopefully a positive one. Miss your smile Sweetheart!
From what I understand...
There was no drinking involved. There was no PFD's involved. The tower simply did not see the other person.
I sincerely do not think Auk lake can safely accommodate jet ski's and other recreational users. Period.
I think they should posting hours that jet skis can use the lake, and hours swimmers can use the lake. Seems to be the most effective resolution without harming either interest group, and much easier to enforce.
bent
Please consider revising, out of respect to the family.
Auke Lake
This kind of mayhem on the lake was one just waiting to happen. Float planes yes (pilots observe safety rules or lose their right to fly). All other motorized vehicles NO! It worked for years that way and all went well. Motorized watercraft, the way used on the lake is just speed for thrills and noise with no care for peaceful recreation. Even the noise from these speed demons shatters the peace and tranquility that should exist around this little lake. Common sense and civility should prevail.
Boat Ramp
The boat ramp made the lake dangerous.
Wasn't it regulation that
Wasn't it regulation that bottle necked all the jet skiers to the Glacier Hwy end of the lake in the first place?
PFD and towing
Lvmykyk - my PFD comment was reference to your comment that you'd rather have them in the lake than 'swept out' or whatever you said, in the ocean. Either way, any time you are on the water in ANY craft - including a kayak, you should be wearing some sort of PFD. Even the best swimmer can be knocked unconscious.
Bent - AGAIN, for those not paying attention - Jetskis are NOT designed for towing, and NOTHING should be towed behind a Jetski. Ever.
Swimmer
Even with a PFD, and I certainly wasn't saying you shouldn't wear one, the risks would have been greater for an accident like this. There were two riders, retrieval would be harder in tidal water. That is my point.
I know few people with the skills to ski or board in our salt water. I feel people should be able to learn and enjoy those activities here. Auke Lake is the only option so why take it away?
There are regulations and people ignore them. Everyday there are those who skip the seatbelt, just like there are those who skip the PFD. I can honestly say I would never consider kayaking without one. But I have skipped it while fixing meals in the galley.
JPD can enforce the rules of the road, but they are not equipped to enforce the rules of the lake. No boat, no budget. We could take the money back from that whale and spend it on a jet ski and train the parking or litter enforcement officers. I mean that with only a hint of tongue in cheek. In all seriousness I am not opposed to enforcement, but I am not ok with taking away the rights of my neighbors. And I am not ok with taking officers off the roads on nice weekends either. There are just as many threats on dry land when the weather is beautiful, if not more.