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
One of the biggest complaints is about wakes...as far as I now the USCG has no jurisdiction on vessels under 300 tons and wakes...only in federal speed zones (and then it's speed, not wake enforced).
Then the law needs to be changed.
I could argue for a mandatory online course, in which you get a certificate of completion, just like Boat US has. However, not for a license. The license will do little for safety and just provide another government money grab for them... just like drivers licenses.
We already have too much government, don't need more.
A certificate vs a license, what would be the difference? Law?
I actually agree with SeeVee that we have enough government.
So why would I support a nationwide program? I really don't. But if you are going to complain about boating issues, such as wakes, then you need to be part of the solution. Shouting additional regulations affect my freedom mean nothing unless you are willing to solve it.
I had a wake problem at my dock. One boat caused over $55,000 in damage. The operator was found guilty of reckless operation of a vessel and ordered to pay $36,000 in restitution. But this didn't solve the problem of boats in a no wake zone. I worked with the sheriff and county commission to put new no wake buoys up and down the slough. The sheriff boat showed up and issued a few citations of excessive wakes. Now folks slow down, if they don't its a $500 fine.
If you are not willing to create a program such as water/vessel license, or some other solution, then you really don't care about the problem. Look at what GA and FL folks did with illegal anchoring. They worked to solve the issue.
So would a nationwide license program solve the issue? Don't know. But when you start arresting and fining folks for bad behavior, the behavior tends to go away.