Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club Adopt a Bay Volunteers recently removed a dangerous tree that had floated into the bay. The tree was a serious hazard to boaters, waterskiers and swimmers.

A club member had spotted the stump of the tree which was barely showing above the water, but was in the center of the traffic lane and towed it temporarily out of the way of entering vessels.

Local governmental marine agencies were contacted, but none were available to deal with the removal of the tree so the MBYC Adopt A Bay team was alerted.

The purpose of the Adopt a Bay program is to give back to the community by helping to improve the water quality of Meydenbauer Bay. MBYC member-volunteers patrol the waters of Meydenbauer Bay picking up floating trash and other debris for disposal ashore. Volunteers conduct patrols in several ways, either by using their own dinghy or by use of the Youth Sailing inflatable tenders.

The volunteers, Burnie Bucknell, Rod Bindon, Jon Abood, Peter Bishop and Bob Mason towed the tree to shore where it was pulled to land by a truck and cut up for disposal.

While this is the largest piece of debris found to date, members continue patrolling for bottles, cans, plastic and other flotsam that presents either an unsightly appearance or a hazard in Meydenbauer Bay waters.

Trees or logs, like the one removed, often show very little above the water but, as in this case, are 30 to 40 feet long. The marine patrol officer consulted stated that scores of skiers are injured each year by striking these unseen hazards.

The Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club was formed in 1946 on the shores of Meydenbauer Bay. Its purpose then, as today, is to provide boating opportunities to members including social events and boating safety classes. It sponsors a Youth Sailing School open to all local residents and hosts the Special Peoples Cruise during the Christmas holidays for those with special needs. The club also hosts meetings of the Bellevue Power squadron and the Coast Guard Auxiliary.