About T-BART
T-BART is a non-profit organization [501(c)(3)] composed of volunteers from communities around Tellico Lake in both Loudon and Monroe counties in Tennessee. The organization works closely with the local city and county emergency response agencies to provide non-medical/non-emergency assistance to stranded boaters, thus freeing those agencies for their more critical roles. T-BART performs this service at no charge to boaters and relies on member dues, donations, and an annual Bratfest fundraiser for funding.
Each T-BART member is a Captain or Crew and stands on-water duty periodically throughout the year. T-BART operates 24/7 365 days a year. Any boater stranded on Tellico Lake can request T-BART assistance by dialing 911 and does not need to be a T-BART member to receive free assistance.
A fourteen member Board of Directors responsible for policy and finances and an Operations Team responsible for day-to-day operations manage T-BART. T-BART conducts its own training which is provided by several of its more experienced members. A select group within T-BART, called Night & Special Support, is also trained to provide on-water support to local emergency agencies day or night, when requested.
T-BART's area of operation is Tellico Lake (Little Tennessee River) from the Hwy 321 bridge near Lenoir City, TN upstream to Chilhowee Dam east of Vonore, TN and all tributaries of Tellico Lake. T-BART does not operate on Ft. Loudon Lake with one exception; if a boat that is normally docked on Tellico Lake is stranded in the basin near Ft. Loudon Dam and Ft. Loudon Marina, T-BART will respond and tow that boat back to Tellico Lake.
T-BART has three boats, one located at the Tellico Village Yacht Club docks, one located at the Tellico Village Kahite Neighborhood docks near Vonore, TN, and one at the Rarity Bay Rock Point docks.
Each T-BART member is a Captain or Crew and stands on-water duty periodically throughout the year. T-BART operates 24/7 365 days a year. Any boater stranded on Tellico Lake can request T-BART assistance by dialing 911 and does not need to be a T-BART member to receive free assistance.
A fourteen member Board of Directors responsible for policy and finances and an Operations Team responsible for day-to-day operations manage T-BART. T-BART conducts its own training which is provided by several of its more experienced members. A select group within T-BART, called Night & Special Support, is also trained to provide on-water support to local emergency agencies day or night, when requested.
T-BART's area of operation is Tellico Lake (Little Tennessee River) from the Hwy 321 bridge near Lenoir City, TN upstream to Chilhowee Dam east of Vonore, TN and all tributaries of Tellico Lake. T-BART does not operate on Ft. Loudon Lake with one exception; if a boat that is normally docked on Tellico Lake is stranded in the basin near Ft. Loudon Dam and Ft. Loudon Marina, T-BART will respond and tow that boat back to Tellico Lake.
T-BART has three boats, one located at the Tellico Village Yacht Club docks, one located at the Tellico Village Kahite Neighborhood docks near Vonore, TN, and one at the Rarity Bay Rock Point docks.
T-1, Tellico Village Yacht Club Docks T-2, Tellico Village Kahite docks T-3, Rarity Bay Rock Point docks
Members may use either a T-BART boat or their personal boat to assist stranded boaters. Boats are inspected annually for safety and for required equipment. A Captain and Crew are required during each mission to ensure that at least two trained members are on board during each assist.
T-BART is also active in promoting boating safety awareness by conducting free Lake Orientation seminars twice a year for people wanting more information about boating on Tellico Lake. These public seminars include descriptions of Tellico Lake, potential boating hazards the lake, general boating safety information, key services around the lake, such as marinas and ramps, as well as boating organizations active on Tellico lake. T-BART also removes debris from the lake that could cause damage to boats operating on the lake. However, if the debris is against the shore or a dock, T-BART will not remove is since it is not a hazard to boats on the lake.
T-BART is also active in promoting boating safety awareness by conducting free Lake Orientation seminars twice a year for people wanting more information about boating on Tellico Lake. These public seminars include descriptions of Tellico Lake, potential boating hazards the lake, general boating safety information, key services around the lake, such as marinas and ramps, as well as boating organizations active on Tellico lake. T-BART also removes debris from the lake that could cause damage to boats operating on the lake. However, if the debris is against the shore or a dock, T-BART will not remove is since it is not a hazard to boats on the lake.