Guidelines for Safe Boating & Recreation – Have Fun and be Safe
In the best interest of safe boating and pleasure for all, the following recommended courtesy rules have been approved by the Big Alum Lake Association. (2020)
General Rules
Overnight Camping: Please notify the Lake Association of any desire or intent to spend the night on the island to prevent overcrowding. Please carry out all your waste when you leave. (Check with the boating committee – see back page).
Do not swim beyond 100 ft from shore without a support boat or visible buoy.
Watercraft should operate at idle speed only during quiet hours from dusk until 9:00 AM, no wake during quiet hours.
Do not clean fish in the lake or at the boat ramp. Please do that at home.
If you trailered your boat to the lake, please inspect the bottom and propeller blades for invasive weeds. Clean them off before launching your boat.
Do not litter. Collect your trash for proper disposal.
Give right of way to all canoes, sailboats, rowboats, paddle boards, and kayaks.
When walking or jogging on lake roads, keep dogs on a leash.
Be friendly and respectful of one another and property owners, whether passing by on the lake or on lake roads.
Boating Rules
All boats traveling in excess of 6 mph should stay at least 150 ft from shore whenever possible
Curtail your speed when the lake is crowded.
Keep to the right when passing oncoming traffic.
Motorboats and personal watercrafts (PWCs) in excess of 6 mph should circle the lake in a counterclockwise direction during periods of high boating traffic.
Tubers & PWCs should conduct all unpredictable, higher-risk activities near the center of the lake.
Use common sense at all times. Don’t operate recklessly.
Curtail higher-risk activities when the lake is crowded
PWC’s, water skiers and tubers must wear life jackets.
Don’t overload your boat with passengers and gear. Know its capacity. Bow riding with feet over the front is dangerous. Don’t invite an accident.
No skiing or boat pulled tubing between the island and the north shore, which is a “NO WAKE” zone.
Powerboats should not drive between private rafts and the shoreline. Homeowners, please keep your rafts within 50 feet of your shoreline.
Yellow buoys mark navigation hazards, orange and green buoys mark a slalom course. Please do not tie up to them or tamper with the buoys.
Rules Specific to Personal Watercafts (PWCs) It is illegal in Massachusetts to:
Operate a PWC without a life jacket
Operate PWC after sunset
Operate a PWC under the age of 16 years old
Tow anything –i.e. skier, tuber, etc.
Jump the wake of another vessel
Follow within 150 ft of another vessel
Cross unreasonably close to another vessel
Chase or harass wildlife
MA State Law Requirements
All water skiers, PWCs & tubers must wear Coast Guard approved life preserver.
No water skiing, PWC riding or tubing after sunset.
Boats towing water skiers or tubers must have an observer or spotter on board at all times.
All boats must show proper lighting after sundown. No exceptions (red and green bow lights, white stern light).
Skin divers and snorkelers must have a visible tube with a flag attached.
Mufflers on boats may not be modified in a manner that will increase the noise level of the vehicle. (332 CMR, Pg.624.118)
Floats & rafts must be within 50 ft from shore and must have reflectors.
Maximum day speed is 45 mph. Night boating speed is limited to 6 mph.
Anyone 12 years or younger must wear a life jacket. Everyone should wear a life jacket while in canoes, sailboats or during cold weather months.
Equip your boat properly. There must be a life preserver for each passenger, fire extinguisher, bilge pump, paddle, anchor, tow line and manual bailer.
Please be courteous to your fellow boaters and to Big Alum residents. Contact us to address boating complaints & comments
Please notify the Sturbridge Police Dept. (508-347-2525) immediately if a safety violation is observed that is severe or flagrant, and is threatening the safety of others.
Where to go for more information: