Since you got me started . . . Here I go:
1. I bought a used 10' Zodiac and a 9.8 HP Motor. I went to DMV with the original Title from the seller. They registered it. I paid the sales tax and $12 reg fee. They would not title it because it's under 12'. They registered it because I will be using it with a motor. I didn;t know you could register something without a title but apparently you can. The website agrees with that. I just hope I don;t have a problem if I decide to sell it. I have no title to transfer. I also thought they would ask for my NJ Boating Safety Certificate. I thought you needed it to register a boat. I had it but they didn't ask for it. I don't have the endorsement on my driver's license because I only boat on tidal waters. No inland lakes.
2. I'm a member of the USCG Auxiliary and an qualified instructor for them. I'm also Flotilla Commander and my Flotilla's Public Education Offcier. We have to pay a fee to the state when we submit the paperwork for the certficate. Another portion of the fee we charge students goes for the books and materials that we buy. Another portion goes to pay for the facility where we teach. The rest goes to the flotilla. Instructors do not get paid nor are they allowed to. The State also charges $25 for the test out. When we gave the test out, we charged $25. We didn't make anything on that. After June 1, there are no more test outs allowed. If a school offers you that option without taking the 8 hour class, they are breaking the law.
3. The owner of a school that offers the NJ Class made an issue about the fact that Coast Guard Auxiliary is hurting their livelihood, similar to what happened with the towing companies. He is saying that we should not be allowed to teach the class. So now the state is making it very difficult. All CG instructirs need to be finger printed and have a background check at our own expense, even though the CG does that when you join. No one is allowed to even be in the room during the class without a NJ State Instructor's card. That means proctors and people who help grade the tests can't do that anymore. All instructors must be active in the CG Crew Program. There are many older members who are no longer in the crew program because of health or physical reasons. They enjoyed teaching for many years and were able to share their years of boating experience but are no longer allowed to do so.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a non profit made up of volunteers who receive no compensation for their work. many members have been doing it for years and have given thousands and thousands of hours of their time. Public Education is our only source of revenue. If we lose our ability to give these courses, we will have no money to support our activities. If you getr into an emergency on the water or want a free Vessel Safety exam, can you call the private boating school for help?
