Trespassers on dock, how to fix?

[Richard]

They've taken our private property sign down so these guys today got off "easy".

There is a walking trail that for arguments sake is 3 miles long. Our dock just happens to be at the 1 1/2 mile mark and as such, makes a REAL easy place for people to park their cars/trucks/vans/other. They park there in spite of the NO PARKING signs that both the county has put up on the road, AND that TVA has put up on THEIR section.

(there are some real morons in life)

Ok, today I found another person using our private dock as their parking lot. Now in fairness to HIM, our private property sign has been ripped down. By him? Dunno... most likely not, but you never know!

I say that so someone doesn't say the obvious... "go put a private property sign up"

Ok.. so here's my question

If you have a private dock that is PROPERLY signed (as I admit ours is no longer, but shall be real soon)

If you've got a dock that people along the other side of the lake "have heard is where we can dock our boats" and you continually find people trespassing, just what course of action would you feel comfortable taking?

When the sign was up , we were always told "oh, we didn't see that", or "we thought when the walking trail was put in, the dock went with it and that sign was no longer relevant"

or some kind of crap like that...

What I WANT to do is simply untie their boats and let it adrift. It might bear relevance to know that we live in a cove and the dock is at the inside of the cove, as far from the channel as it can be. The reality is because of the typical winds the boat will usually be driven into shore (soft sandy bottom) as opposed to out in the channel but I'm sure it's not impossible for it to go to the channel.

What if I moved the boat and tied it to a tree?


Today, I went to boat and saw a sweatshirt laying on the seat so I grabbed it and simply tied the sweatshirt around a "V" where some brackets went up to the canopy. I WANTED the boat owner to see that SOMEONE had been there in his absence and wonder what the deal was.

As it happened, I went back to check in on it and they were walking down the road coming to me so I told him in advance that it was me that tied the sweatshirt.

He told me that "they" (the people in the community across the lake) are under the belief that THIS is the place they are supposed to dock their boats when they want to stroll down the woods.

I clarified to him that it was private and we would certainly appreciate any comments to that fact he might care to spread to his breathern across the lake.

So, since the private property sign is currently down, ONCE I get it back up, if this crap continues, just what recourse does someone have?

Call the sheriff?

It's on TVA "property" (the water) so I'd think they'd not deal with it. Then again, it's on "private property" (our dock) so maybe the sheriff would?

TVA will be freaking worthless since they are by definition, worthless and a horrific neighbor.

does boat owner have any bite to his bark if I simply untie it from the private property and let it drift? that is secretly what I want to do. I also hope the boat goes to the middle of the cove and makes them swim out there to retrieve it.

Only my sense of responsiblity keeps me from doing that.

 

[shvl73]

Other than the sense of responsibility, keep in mind the sense of self preservation. Some people are not very emotionally stable.
Frustrating situation to be sure. I wish you luck.

 

[wickedinhere]

I would untie the boats and act like you have no idea what happened just like they didnt see the sign. You need to be firm with these people because if your not they will keep on doing what they have been doing. My dad has a camp on the river and this guy keep trespassing on his land and one day my dad caught
him leaving and told him not to come back ever. Weeks later my dad found this guys boat so he untied it let it float a little ways out and filled it full of holes.
He never saw that guy again .

 

[texasjohn]

Maybe paint on the dock deck... both where the boats tie up, both sides where it is seen BEFORE they tie up and on the walking surface:

Private Dock
No docking allowed

I dunno... if, legally, you own the dock, then I suppose that it you can rent space, just as if you owned a parking lot.

So, you might consider a sign that says:
Private Dock
$5 / hour
Pay in advance.
Trespassers will be set adrift

It seems like you frequent the dock yourself, so you can put a "collection box" there, properly signed, locked top for collecting.

I'm no lawyer, but if you painted the signs on the dock itself, it is hard to remove. I don't know why you can't set your own price. In Texas, a vehicle on private property can be towed..only hitch is that notice must be clearly visible and proper parking spaces marked, and an attempt made to contact the owner before towing. Might check your state laws regarding parking vehicles on private property.

You don't want to set yourself up for a "destruction of property" problem... or theft issue.

What does TVA say?? Are there laws particular to this problem... you can't be the only one that has it.
The TVA River Neighbors Newsletter may have something that covers this... current and back issues are available on line, but I haven't gone thru them to see. There is a TVA Watershead Team that assists property owners with their structures.

 

[cp1969]

I didn't read in your post how you were actually harmed by others using this dock. Did they tear it up or leave litter, etc.? Or is it just the notion that someone is playing in your sandbox?

texasjohn probably gave the best advice about setting up an honor box and charging if that makes you feel better. Because you are probably not going to be successful in keeping others out with a sign. Nothing gets ignored quicker than a sign and a government lake is going to have a steady supply of new people on it.

 

[crbr]

They've taken our private property sign down so these guys today got off "easy".

There is a walking trail that for arguments sake is 3 miles long. Our dock just happens to be at the 1 1/2 mile mark and as such, makes a REAL easy place for people to park their cars/trucks/vans/other. They park there in spite of the NO PARKING signs that both the county has put up on the road, AND that TVA has put up on THEIR section.

(there are some real morons in life)

Ok, today I found another person using our private dock as their parking lot. Now in fairness to HIM, our private property sign has been ripped down. By him? Dunno... most likely not, but you never know!

I say that so someone doesn't say the obvious... "go put a private property sign up"

Ok.. so here's my question

If you have a private dock that is PROPERLY signed (as I admit ours is no longer, but shall be real soon)

If you've got a dock that people along the other side of the lake "have heard is where we can dock our boats" and you continually find people trespassing, just what course of action would you feel comfortable taking?

When the sign was up , we were always told "oh, we didn't see that", or "we thought when the walking trail was put in, the dock went with it and that sign was no longer relevant"

or some kind of crap like that...

What I WANT to do is simply untie their boats and let it adrift. It might bear relevance to know that we live in a cove and the dock is at the inside of the cove, as far from the channel as it can be. The reality is because of the typical winds the boat will usually be driven into shore (soft sandy bottom) as opposed to out in the channel but I'm sure it's not impossible for it to go to the channel.

What if I moved the boat and tied it to a tree?


Today, I went to boat and saw a sweatshirt laying on the seat so I grabbed it and simply tied the sweatshirt around a "V" where some brackets went up to the canopy. I WANTED the boat owner to see that SOMEONE had been there in his absence and wonder what the deal was.

As it happened, I went back to check in on it and they were walking down the road coming to me so I told him in advance that it was me that tied the sweatshirt.

He told me that "they" (the people in the community across the lake) are under the belief that THIS is the place they are supposed to dock their boats when they want to stroll down the woods.

I clarified to him that it was private and we would certainly appreciate any comments to that fact he might care to spread to his breathern across the lake.

So, since the private property sign is currently down, ONCE I get it back up, if this crap continues, just what recourse does someone have?

Call the sheriff?

It's on TVA "property" (the water) so I'd think they'd not deal with it. Then again, it's on "private property" (our dock) so maybe the sheriff would?

TVA will be freaking worthless since they are by definition, worthless and a horrific neighbor.

does boat owner have any bite to his bark if I simply untie it from the private property and let it drift? that is secretly what I want to do. I also hope the boat goes to the middle of the cove and makes them swim out there to retrieve it.

Only my sense of responsiblity keeps me from doing that.

I live on Watts Bar and have dealt with this same similar scenario for years, as well as dealt with TVA. Too much to type. Be glad to tell you what I know over the wireless...from my experiences with this ever so popular legal issue.

Bottom line, I had a few regulars that would camp on my dock and refuse to leave or even move when I came around with the mower (chute facing their way ). I was so pis sed one day, I ask once, then said." Please wait right there on the dock. Right where you are camped."

I got a few F-bombs while I was walking up to my truck. I didn't even reach for my hand gun. I got the chain saw from the rear and fired it up. Now, this dock is an older dock that needed replacing anyway, as the creosote poles havd seen their better days. It was middle July, hot, I was not in the mood for anyone to even look at me cross, the water was down and I had a full tank of gas in the Stihl. I waded out to the end and started cutting. They left after the second pole. I left it as was. The next weekend another crew of inconsiderate, ill-manner, rednecks showed up with about the same attitude. Again I ask once and then started cutting. They left... At that point no one would go out on my dock anymore. Ashamed I had to do it but "Jimmy crack corn."

TVA put me through the wringer but from here, it's a long story. I won.


I spent the last 15 years in court with TVA and know about every nitch to their tactics and antics for the rules to access their property. I have been on TVA's shoreline for 45 years now. There are specific rights for both the ignormas' and the property owner. All depends on how they are accessing the dock (from what ownership of use, being your private property ot a public access connecting to the TVA access.

I've been every route conceivable. PM me if you'd like to chat briefly. I promise I will not talk you into hours of boredom...

 

[texasjohn]

It looks like CRBR is your man... been there, done that, knows from experience... you can learn personal and legal experience from him and try either what worked for him or something new... not repeat whatever frustrations he may have had.... best offer around for yoU

 

[WhyNot]

Here the river pilots have a couple remote docks they use to dock their small boats they use to board ships. They have fence on the dock right up to the edge so you can't dock and climb over the fence easily with a locked gate at the dry end and one so they can get on and off from the water. This may be an option for you but, more that likely some smart*** will cut the lock but, if you catch him that is vanalism then you could make an example out of him.

 

[EddieWalker]

As much fun as it sounds, I wouldn't touch the other peoples property. It only takes one person to take you to court and you lose no matter what the outcome. Hiring a lawyer, taking the time to deal with it and the emotional stress far outweigh any benifits you might think you'll get.

Signs seem to be the root of the problem. Get good, solid, impossible to remove signs. I'm thinking steel welded to pipes set in concrete. Explain that the dock is private property and that all violators will be reported.

Then do just that. Report them to whatever authority that deals with boaters. I'm guesing it is the sheriff's department, but whoever it is, report it to them. If they do nothing, be sure to get the persons name that you report it to, and report them for not doing there job.

In a short amount of time, the boaters will get the message that ignoring your signs isn't the smartest thing to do.

Eddie

 

[Richard]

We’ve had some activity here since I’ve been into town!

Shvl73, thank you!
Wickedinhere: That is one course I’ve thought of… “how strange your boat untethered…I have NO idea how it happened” I like your fathers remedy though that won’t work here I don’t think.

TexasJohn: As for renting, I don’t think TVA would “allow” that. As I understand it, they are VERY strict in that when a dock gets built, it belongs to a home and not even a neighbor is supposed to use it. Now, I say that meaning, the neighbor would be using it “full time” akin to a mini-marina. Our neighbor who’s building new is where I learned that tidbit from.

CP1969: Harmed? Isn’t the mere fact of trespassing “harming” my rights? Aside from that, we’ve had 2 dogs shot/killed, trespassers on the farm, items stolen from the farm, other idiots who park right in front of the “no parking” signs, semi-block our ingress/egress to our right of way… besides… what if I was in process of putting OUR boat in right then and theirs was in the spot?

CRBR: I’m on Tellico, right across from the village where they have tons of wealth and think they own the entire lake. How ironic I find it that they are moving into zillion dollar homes on land that was taken from someone else and now that they have their fancy homes, they do NOT want any more development on the lake. I just might call you, is home/work better? I’ll bet you lunch you know Jim McKay? Lives down the “road” (water) from Blue Springs Marina.

TexasJohn: I agree, seems I need to hook up with CRBR.

EddieWalker: One issue is if I call the authorities (whomever it might be) and in fact, they DO show up, the boaters might be long gone, rendering it a useless call for them.

Gads, how I like the chainsaw idea!!! I had images of Texas Chainsaw Massacre part 458,294,239.00482 when I started reading that.