Smith Mountain Lake residents may have noted in passing the recent news of a houseboat that sank in Hickory Cove last month. But many people are unaware of the difficulties caused when a boat sinks. As Rebecca Jackson of the Smith Mountain Eagle observes, such sunken boats create numerous problems and dangers, and are actually punishable by law:
Under Virginia State law, the offense is considered a special misdemeanor, carrying a $500 a day fine for each day the boat remains in the Lake, and up to one year in prison for each day the craft is not removed.
The rest of Rebecca’s article contains excellent information about sunken boats on the Lake. Residents who wish to know more about boating laws in Virginia should consult the Virginia Watercraft Owner’s Guide, published by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.