When To Video…And When To Help

I freely admit launch ramps can be entertaining to watch and I often get drawn into chaos. Some of the follies you might encounter on a busy summer weekend as boats are being launched can be amusing, yet at the risk of sounding like a hypocrite, I think some people may be taking it a little too far. It’s one thing to watch an inexperienced boater swerve back and forth as he struggles to back down a crowded launch ramp, but it’s another to actually video and then post it.

Like it or not, we live in a very video-heavy world these days. Thanks to cell phones, nearly everyone is packing around a portable video camera and most seem eager to capture any mishap or mistake they may see in an attempt to increase views on their social pages.

In fact, there is a well-known guy on YouTube who must sit across from his launch ramp for hours with his camera constantly running to capture some of the footage he gets. Based on his comments he’s probably not even a boater himself and just looking for people to mess up. Getting fame from other’s misfortunes seems a little shady to me and clearly his actions don’t represent the majority of boaters out there who are quick to help someone in need. While legally there is nothing against setting up a tripod and videoing in a public place (as far as I know), I’m not a fan and it bothers me that he’s most likely discouraging others from getting into boating.

I’m old enough to remember those times when someone was in need of help and people would step up and, well, help. Now something goes wrong and the first reaction isn’t to assist, but to video it. I was reminded of this awhile back when, pontoon in tow, I pulled into a gated hotel parking lot that I had no business going into. It was late and raining when I reached the hotel and the guy working the front desk insisted I had no other option but to park my truck with a trailer in the lot and he assured me the lot was plenty big and getting out wouldn’t be a problem.

My first clue that I shouldn’t even enter this parking lot should have been how tight the angle was to get in, as I was just barely able to get the 30-foot long pontoon trailer through the gate after punching in the code.

The lot wasn’t full so I managed to find a spot in the back where I could pull through a couple of spaces and not stick out too much. In the night, oblivious car owners had parked closely to my truck and trailer, making it impossible to pull forward as I had originally planned.

When it came down to it I only had one realistic option and that was to back out the gate the same way I came in. With only my 12-year-old to spot me, I attempted to back up the entire length of the parking lot and then back out the only gate.

As I backed out I immediately drew a crowd. I think the entire hotel emptied out to the sidewalks just to see if I’d smash into a pole or hit another vehicle. It was tight turning into the lot from the street the night before so I knew it would be even worse backing out, but I didn’t have a lot of options unless I wanted to wait until noon for the other cars to leave.

At first I was impressed that all of these people had come to watch my blind spots and help me get out, but that wasn’t the case at all. I quickly realized they had their phones out videoing me and were probably hoping for something horrific to happen so they could record it. Out of all of them, one guy did offer to help watch, which I’m extremely grateful for, and I guess I ruined everyone’s day by successfully backing out the gate without a single problem.

I would love to have seen a video of it myself after it was over to have something to show people as proof after my heart had stopped racing, but no one is going to post a video where “nothing happened” so I doubt I’ll ever see it.

I would encourage you to be more mindful of those around you who may be in need of help, not just when it comes to boating but in everyday life. “Fail” videos can be entertaining, but you never know when it might be you who could use a helping hand instead of temporary viral fame.

Brady L. Kay,

Pontoon & Deck Boat Editor