No I don't work here, NOBODY works here!

[NecessaryCatharsis]

I live across the road from a public boat launch ramp. This is a huge source of hilarity for me in the summer as the number of people who own a boat with trailer > number of people who know how to drive with a boat on a trailer. Occasionally I even take pity on someone who times out and I'll back their boat up for them.

Today I was out front surrounded by the parts of my lawnmower I was attempting to revive (success!) and watching the live version of Canada's Worst Driver out on the road. One particular couple was having extraordinary trouble so I gave in and went over to offer assistance. It turns out the cord for their surge brakes came loose and pulled, and now their brakes were stuck on. So I work at and manage to get the brakes off, and I spot while he backs it up down the ramp.

We wave goodbye at each other and I go back to working on the lawnmower. There is a truck and boat out on the road, I assume they are waiting for the last guy to leave the ramp to take their turn, and I don't think much about it. Until several minutes later when they start honking. I look up, yes they are honking at me! I go over, 'Are you going to back us in?' they ask. '....No.... Did you need someone to?' I reply. 'Oh!', cue their surprised faces 'I thought you worked here?' I'm looking around, there is no HERE here. There is a street, there are houses, trees, some rocks and a complete lack of signs or anything else that would indicate some sort of business.

They got it, then laughed and carried on, backing themselves in, so not really a sucky sighting, but, huh? They had Ohio plates so I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that in the United States public boat launch ramps are policed or controlled by someone.

[mhkohne]

I live across the road from a public boat launch ramp. This is a huge source of hilarity for me in the summer as the number of people who own a boat with trailer > number of people who know how to drive with a boat on a trailer. Occasionally I even take pity on someone who times out and I'll back their boat up for them.

<SNIP>

They got it, then laughed and carried on, backing themselves in, so not really a sucky sighting, but, huh? They had Ohio plates so I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that in the United States public boat launch ramps are policed or controlled by someone.

Depends on the ramp. In parks and such it may well be, as well with marinas. Many are not.

[sms001]

assume that in the United States public boat launch ramps are policed or controlled by someone.

Nopers. As mhkohne says, there may be some, but even in private marinas, the driving is usually up to you. Glad those Buckeyes laughed it off, I'd hate for them to sour you on what is a VERY good deed indeed: helping people back trailers is awfully nice of you.
I was going to be tongue-in-cheek snarky about you getting people who can't drive on land out to drive on water, but I remember how much the wife and I had to practice when we first got the trailer we use for hay, so I know how tricky and frustrating it can be.

As a side note, many of the public launches here (and there are a LOT) have a little wooden box for parking fees. I don't know if fishermen/boaters are more honest than the general public, but I do know I see people stuffing money in them all the time, and it's extremely rare that one of them gets stolen.

[protege]

They had Ohio plates so I am going to give them the benefit of the doubt and assume that in the United States public boat launch ramps are policed or controlled by someone.

Well, they're from Ohio, so what did you expect? They're from the only state that managed to set a *river* on fire But seriously, I don't know how it is in other areas, but most of the marinas in the Pittsburgh area are not policed by anyone. There are a few though--mostly private or "club" marinas that do have someone at the ramp.

[wolfie]

Well, they're from Ohio, so what did you expect? They're from the only state that managed to set a *river* on fire

If the waste chemicals that needed to be disposed of "on the cheap" hadn't included fire retardants, New Jersey would have done it too (probably before Ohio, and more than once).

[raudf]

Closest lakes and river ramps are either in Corp of Engineers, State or local city care... that's all they do, too. Collect money and maintain the ramps, parks, etc. You want a boat in the water, you'll be the one putting it there and the only help from them you'll get is a call to the tow truck to pull your truck outta the water. And yes, I've watched an idiot or two drown their truck (they got out of the cab in time.)

Mom and Dad worked out how to do it. Mom drove the truck, Dad in the boat. Series of hand signals and it worked like a treat. No drowned truck.

[Victory Sabre]

Been to a lot of boat ramps, and none of them were manned, except by the DNR, and sometimes the Boarder Patrol on the Rainy River.

[NecessaryCatharsis]

Glad those Buckeyes laughed it off, I'd hate for them to sour you on what is a VERY good deed indeed: helping people back trailers is awfully nice of you.

They were very nice once they realized. Everyone there has always been nice, otherwise I probably wouldn't offer help to anyone again. It's hard for me to understand what this skill must be like to learn later, by the time I was twelve I could drive a skid steer, snowmobile, dirt bike, boat etc. and back a tractor and hay wagon. Everything since has been easier, so trucks, trailers anything else on wheels (or tracks, or on the water) has come easy.

Well, they're from Ohio, so what did you expect? They're from the only state that managed to set a *river* on fire

Never seen or heard of that before. Looked it up. More than once even. Impressive.

...And yes, I've watched an idiot or two drown their truck (they got out of the cab in time.)

I've only seen one in this place, it's neither that steep nor that deep. He forgot to put it in park or set the parking brake before he got out, and his truck drove 15 feet past the dock into the river before it stalled out. Boats were going between the truck and shore on their way past. No, no that's not funny, that's just mean, it probably cost him a lot of money. My bad.

[LillFilly]

Has anyone ever come knocking on your door asking if you run the place?

[fireheart]

Speaking of Canada's Worst Driver, there will be a 10th series soon..... (says the Australian )

[icmedia]

I've only seen one in this place, it's neither that steep nor that deep. He forgot to put it in park or set the parking brake before he got out, and his truck drove 15 feet past the dock into the river before it stalled out. Boats were going between the truck and shore on their way past. No, no that's not funny, that's just mean, it probably cost him a lot of money. My bad.

I once watched a guy drive headfirst down the boat ramp, right into the lake.

[Jetfire]

That was a "You're doing it wrong" meme image my local radio station posted on Facebook this morning too.

https://scontent-a-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/...39794757_n.jpg

And yes, CWD should be starting up Soon I'm sure. They've been recruiting since the worst Worst drivers, and I can't wait to see a fresh batch go at it.

[Ironclad Alibi]

Another boat ramp story:

[NecessaryCatharsis]

That picture and GIF are both great. Have to share with everyone here, we've all got to see some good ones, but those are priceless

[Ophbalance]

I once watched a guy drive headfirst down the boat ramp, right into the lake.

Just... HOW?? How you just derp along an do this? I cannot imagine being that asleep at the wheel that you forget your car/truck/whatever is NOT waterproof.