The UYC Maritime Foundation sponsors the annual holiday event, which had been scheduled this year on December 1.
"With lake levels low, safety for our participants and spectators must come first," said Phil Eastman, chairman of the UYC Foundation Board of Directors, organizers of the event. "It's better to err on the side of caution, especially with a night-time event on the water."
The parade committee had created a complete water safety plan and had enlisted the assistance of several groups around the lake, including the Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron, TowBOAT US, assets from several marinas and the US Coast Guard Auxiliary to assist as parade marshals and safety vessels.
"The foundation is to be commended for making this call, even though we were all looking forward to this colorful holiday event," said Dave Wall, flotilla commander with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 26/Atlanta/Lake Lanier. "Everyone on the lake needs to recognize that safety is always first and foremost when it comes to boating."
Buddy Meeks and Ed Gaito are chairmen of the event, working with a committee of nearly a dozen volunteers from around Lake Lanier, representing sailing clubs, marinas and boat dealers.
"We're disappointed to cancel the event, but after taking thorough look at the parade area and marina approaches, it was obvious to us that it would be very difficult to plan an event that met our standards for safety based on the receding water level," Gaito said. "I'm sure our committee will want to go ahead and start planning for 2008 now, so that as the lake comes back up, we'll have a spectacular event next year."
For more information about the UYC Maritime Foundation, visit https://www.universityyachtclub.org/Maritime/index.asp.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2007/11/203752