Mandatory Licensing

Well, if we make all the waterways no wake zones then that would slow down accidents.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Silverton_34

Well, if we make all the waterways no wake zones then that would slow down accidents.

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You're joking....right?
 
Licensing? No and Hell NO!

Ok each state is allowed to do what they want (mostly) but what about transit boaters who go from state to state? What about boaters from other countries simply visiting the U.S. for a few months? What about expats like myself who come and go from the U.S.?

I have little doubt some form of licensing is coming (more government control, Homeland Security likes that) but in what form and who will have to be licensed?

SeaQuest OE
Still in Rum Cay enjoying every minute of what life has to offer.
 
Was only joking about making everything no wake zones but here on the west coast of Fla they aren't kidding. More and more no wake zones are popping up. When you leave the marina you almost have to idle your way all the way out to the Gulf. It is sick.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Msibley

In theory, I think licensing makes sense. In practicality...I don't think it would be successful. As has been pointed out many times in the past:

1) The program would be encumbered with red tape
2) Study and hands-on tests are conducted to qualify someone to drive motor vehicles and the idiots and cretins are still loose on the roads...won't be any different on the water.
3) Not enough personnel to adequately administer and monitor a program such as this

<small rant on>
Which brings us to the question of issuing breeding permits in the first place to persons of suspect mental capacity. If they don't have offspring...there is no questionable offspring growing up to operate a watercraft. And since they didn't qualify for a breeding permit, we can assume they shouldn't be operating a motor vehicle either...which won't stop them, but perhaps "brand" the car with permanent "I'm Stupid" plates for easy targeting by LE. Or brand THEM with some highly visible mark that lets other people know they're in the vicinity of an idiot.
<small rant off>

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I Love It!! Right on!!! I second everything Msibley said!
 
hmmm.lets keep it free on the water and make drivers who drive on our roadways get licensed. Ever see the drivers in Ft. Luaderdale/ Miami??? (haha)
 
Not a whole lot of difference if the license is what it should be.
 
I believe a boating license may give one a false sense of accomplishment, especially if the test is no more stringent than the one given for a driver's license.

There is no substitute for competence, and competence is obtained through time and experience, not merely by passing a test on any given day, IMHO.
 
I vote for no additional government in my life.
 
"Competence is obtained through time and experience." One has to start SOMEWHERE, and a little head start in the way of training will enhance one's survival prospects during the early years. I don't know how many threads I've seen on here started by someone who just bought his FIRST boat; it's 30-odd feet and he admits he hasn't a clue! Then there are the threads about someone who hops on a PWC for the first time and manages to kill someone with it.

Granted, if a license is nothing but a "drivers tax" then it's not worth the paper it's printed on. But if it REQUIRES a certain level of training and experience it may save lives; not to mention insurance premiums.
 
quote:
Originally posted by stmbtwle

"Competence is obtained through time and experience." One has to start SOMEWHERE, and a little head start in the way of training will enhance one's survival prospects during the early years. I don't know how many threads I've seen on here started by someone who just bought his FIRST boat; it's 30-odd feet and he admits he hasn't a clue! Then there are the threads about someone who hops on a PWC for the first time and manages to kill someone with it.

Granted, if a license is nothing but a "drivers tax" then it's not worth the paper it's printed on. But if it REQUIRES a certain level of training and experience it may save lives; not to mention insurance premiums.

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stmbtwle,

Please no flame intended "But are you NUTS?" The requirements for a 18' bass boat on a small lake are completely different than an ocean going 57' sailing Cat as are they for a 50' three screw go fast or any other boat. Do you really want type certifications like aircraft are handled?
Maybe you need to think through the unintended consequences such licensing would have before you suggest such an action?

SeaQuest OE
Anchored at Rum Cay
 
WE ALL TALK THE TALK ABOUT NO MORE REGULATIONS AND LICENCES BECAUSE MOST OF US IN THIS AND OTHER FORUMS HAVE BEEN BOATING FOR 20 MAYBE 50 YEARS, IT'S IN OUR BLOOD. OUR PARENTS OR GRANDPARENTS TAUGHT US THE RIGHT WAY TO BOAT,AND WE TAKE IT AS AN INSULT TO HAVE GOVERMENT TELL US THAT WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH. SWALLOW YOUR PRIDE AND THINK ABOUT THE PEOPLE THAT NEVER OWNED A BOAT IN THIER LIFE, THAT WAKES UP ONE MORNING GOES TO A DEALER BUYS A BOAT,PUTS IT IN THE WATER AND GOES!! WE HAD A GUY HERE IN PA. A FEW YEARS BACK THAT DID JUST THAT, NEVER OWNED A BOAT IN HIS LIFE,BOUGHT IN IN THE MORNING AND LAUNCHED IT AND DROVE OVER LOCK THREE DAM SAME DAY. I HAVE A PA.SAFE BOATER CARD BECAUSE I OWN A JET SKI BESIDE MY BOAT. TOOK AN 8HR.COURSE TOOK A WRITTEN TEST,PAYED $40.00 FOR CARD AND IT'S GOOD FOR LIFE,NO ANNUAL FEE'S OR ANYTHING LIKE THAT.COME ON GUY'S QUIT LOOKING AT THINGS FROM OUR PROSPECTIVE,AND LOOK THROUGH THE EYES OF A NEW INEXPERIENCED BOATER THAT HAS A THOUSAAND QUESTIONS IN THIER HEAD.
 
silversurfer,

While licensing might be ok with you what about the unintended consequences such a program would have on others? What about someone going from state to state with their boat? What about someone coming from another country? Are you suggesting they obtain a license before operating a vessel in a states waters? What about someone traveling the great loop? Would they need to get a license from each state or are you looking for some kind of federal licensing program?

What about traveling up and down the east coast making port in a different state each night?

As I said earlier are you looking for some type of type certification because every body of water is different as is every type of vessel.

Like so many others who suggest "something" is better than nothing you need to consider the unintended consequences of what you are suggesting.

SeaQuest OE
Anchored at Rum Cay enjoying each day as if it were the last
 
I can see arguments in favor of licensing; after all, I must have a license to drive, ride a motorcycle, fish, hunt, fly an airplane, glider, helicopter, blimp, or balloon, and some of these activities pose very little danger to other people, compared to boating, especially power boating. The latter five even require regular documented reviews by an FAA instructor. On the other hand, and this is assuredly the dominant hand, I can think of very few areas of my life the government has meddled in that are improved for that meddling. Licenses would just be another 'gotcha' revenue-grab for local constabulary, a way to bully out-of-towners, a way to clog our bogged-down courts with more lawyers and weaseling. We have enough laws, enough licensure (unless we required a stiff history exam and squeaky-clean rap sheet for politicians' licensure. Now THAT I could get behind. If we simply fairly and consistently enforce what we have, the reckless operators will be fined, the ignorant will be forcibly educated, and so forth. We don't need any new layers of bureaucracy, as we can't adequately keep straight what we already have.
 
There is NO (NONE) good argument in favor of licensing.
It's boondoggle pure and simple.

I've had that small boat handeling course twice. I dont believe there's a thing in that course that would make a non-boater any safer than a non-experienced boater would be in just a few hours of boating.

Six-pac and up is another story. I believe in that!
 
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