Re: boat operators licensing

[captharv]

Re: boat operators licensing

Although there are many states which require a license and/or a manditory boating safety course, I feel it is going to happen in all states and possibly at the Federal level. After all, its an easy way to suck money out of us "rich boaters" (tongue-in-cheek). Let me give an example of Govt intervention "in the name of safety".
I am a SCUBA diver, certified long ago. My buddy and I went many times, to a spring near here called Blue Springs. It is a cavern style dive (you don't loose surface light), and about 110' deep. Still, it requires some advanced knowledge and equipment.
Up to a certain date, about 20 divers died there and in other similar springs. As you enter the park(s), they checked your equipment for: air, safety light, depth gauge and timer if some sorts, etc, and of course a certification card, which they kept until you exited. No problem, an assumption of risk paperwork was signed.
Then, in 1978 ( I think) a state senators son died in a similar spring in North Fl. Suddenly, we needed Cave Diving certifications, dual tanks, BCs, regulators, etc, etc.

Apply to boating? You betcha.. A few years ago, a PWC kamikazi pilot was jumping wakes in Biscayne Bay. He missed and hit the back of the boat, killing him. The owner of the boat was Gloria Estafan (celebrity). She campained the state to enact a requirement for a boat operators license. The marine industry bought a few politicians who watered down the bill to effect only those boaters under 21 who operate a boat of 10 HP or more. I feel next celebrity/politician relative death will make that all ages/all boats.

This post is NOT trying to start a thread arguing for or against it. It IS going to happen, like it or not...

So, what I am saying is: take a course now, get a certificate and avoid the mad rush.

 

[lowkee]

Re: boat operators licensing

Re: boat operators licensing

Except whatever certificate or training you get now won't be valid whent he new law is passed, as they can't get your money if you already paid someone else.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: boat operators licensing

Re: boat operators licensing

If you go through a boating course held by either Power Squadron or USCG Aux, any state agency would be hard pressed not to accept it as training. From a political standpoint, I seriously doubt an attempt to exclude them would last long.

I agree that a boating operators permit is probably inevitable in most states, if not nationwide. Each of us will have to make up our own minds as to how we feel about this, but I would offer the thought that it might not be such a bad idea. I would offer one qualification of that opinion, however.

One of the benefits that I see in such a system, is the ability to pay for additional marine safety initiatives. Conversely, what I worry about, is the propensity of governments to divert targeted revenues to nonrelated budgets. So, without getting into individual opinions of whether or not these permits should exist, when and where legislation to require them pops up, I recommend putting pressure on your legislators to require targeted funding from the proceeds. Let those folks know that they will not get your vote if they water the bills down to allow monies collected, to go to your state's general fund.