Alaskan Sea-Duction
Guru
- Joined
- Jul 6, 2012
- Messages
- 8,084
- Location
- USA
- Vessel Name
- Alaskan Sea-Duction
- Vessel Make
- 1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
Oh no, now you will learn the rules of the road and hopefully become a safe boat operator. Ohhh the horror!!!!
With the new law, California takes itself off of list of five states – the others being Alaska, Arizona, South Dakota, and Wyoming – not requiring boat operators to take a boating safety course before operating a vessel.
........... But the big thing it has done has provided a means of keeping SOME people off the water by now having something that can be taken away (for whatever reason) and the fines/punishment much more severe if caught operating without it.
And that's a good thing. In SC, your "privilege to operate a boat" can be taken away for violations but since there's no license or card granting that privilege, there's really no effective way to take that privilege away.
Honestly Ron what part of "card" ownership will keep the usual two, three, four, six time offender from operating a boat.
Guys remember the stats collected will never represent that part of the story. Fines ? they don't care, courts with loss of freedoms for the convicted for driving with out said "card" ? really , like they have something to loose.
Random thought's. Why have our societies come to such a point where we the honest hard working, respectful folk are actually the guys being penalized with the loss of our freedoms ?
Follow the cash !
IMO.
IF I was a resident of CT , mu USCG 100T endorsement would not allow me to drive my dink.
I must pass a CT test. OH yes there is a co$t to take the test.
I'm confused. Frequently on this forum I have seen posts by members highly critical of other boaters actions, (read antics), and clear lack of knowledge of even the most basic rules of the (sea) road. In many countries like Australia we have had mandatory licensing of boat owners/operators for some years, and this has been reflected in less boating 'accidents'. It is a good idea. I would say a must, now there are so many boaters out there, and the number is growing, and many are getting bigger, faster and more powerful.
Now you have a state doing something similar, many of you are still cynical…! What gives..?
Well perhaps we should get rid of drivers licenses, pilots licenses, plumber and electricians licenses and quit licensing doctors as well.
One of the legitimate functions of government is protecting its citizens. Not just from foreign enemies but from other citizens. By requiring drivers, pilots and hopefully boaters to demonstrate competence or at least a knowledge of the rules and safety practices, the government is protecting me from their carelessness.
It's not perfect, just as the drivers license requirement is not perfect but it is a step in the right direction. If you can pass the test, it's not an inconvenience for you and it may save your boat or your life.
Ron I guess my point is that the card is not addressing the actual handling of a boat. The card is not addressing the types of vessel one is "qualified" to run. Its kinda scary seeing a 45' 450 HP twin engine cruiser running up behind you in close quarters , knowing full well the guy behind the helm has like 40 hours total running boats. Here the "card" can be obtained by folk that are unable to speak English. I have still never received a solid answer as to how a Mayday can be handled. Just a couple of examples.
Maybe some sort of graduated license would be more in order.
Again just random thoughts.
[FONT=arial,helvetica]This requirement will be a phased in by age:
- Starting January 1, 2018, boat operators < 20 years old
- January 1, 2019, boat operators <25 years old
- January 1, 2020, boat operators <35 years old
- January 1, 2021, boat operators <40 years old
- January 1, 2022, boat operators <45 years old
- January 1, 2023, boat operators <50 years old
- January 1, 2024, boat operators <60 years old
- January 1, 2025, all boater operators regardless of age
[/FONT]
Agree. Licenses, for the most part, are a state money grab. If gov. moonbat's state of CA can find a way to bring in more money, they will do it. States that have licensing requirements do not seem to have better accident records. Swift, harsh, & complete punishment of existing lawbreakers seems a better answer.
Actually they aren't a money grab everywhere.
In NJ (the tax state) I think only $5 of the course went to the state at most to defray the paperwork costs.
My guess if the courses are run for less than $50/person in your state, and it's being taught by private providers, I doubt the state is getting much at all.
It may even be a federal funding issue...that states aren't allowed to make it a tax...just cover fees.