The party is ending.

Pierce County Sheriff Marine Services Unit deputies will begin “educating” boaters about the new “underway only” rule on Fairweather Cove – also known as Party Cove – in north Lake Tapps that goes into effect this weekend.

“We are not going to write tickets right away,” said Sheriff’s spokesman Ed Troyer. “We will have signs made and putting information out there about the new rule.”

The new rule bans motorized vessels from anchoring, drifting or tying together in the cove located between Tacoma and Driftwood points. The move essentially will make the cove a "no parking" zone and will remain in effect until Aug. 31, 2010.

If boats have to keep moving, partying together will be difficult.
The hope-for outcome is that party rafters will get used to the designated rating area along Dike 4 near the Pierce County Park.

Troyer said anyone who ignores a first warning will be ticketed. The fine is $123.

As of Friday, the new rule wasn’t yet posted on the Sheriff Department’s Web site under watercraft regulations.

The new rule is the latest effort to address party problems at the Lake Tapps cove that have had cove residents up in arms over the noise and other problems for the past six years.

In 2005 the county prohibited "rafting" - tying or otherwise connecting boats together - except at a designated area at the north end of the lake. Last year it boosted the fine for rafting to $615.

Cove residents said the rafting law didn’t stop the practice or the partying and urged a more pro-active approach. A number of years ago the county required boats to remain underway in a nearby cove.

Opponents say the designated Dike 4 rafting area subject boats to rough water. Others fear the rule will push boaters to other coves on the lake.