Really
- Thread starter walterv
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I wouldn't deceive a bay constable by saying I don't have a license (just in case he would be able to check on it), I would just tell him I didn't have it with me. Much safer answer.
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Probably impound your boat until you get a certificate and of course pay a very hefty fine
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What is it 8 hours and a simple test? The truth is there are a lot of boaters that are truly clueless and they are putting all of us at risk I don't think this is a horrible thing. Frankly I'm surprised it has taken this long to come to this.
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I agree with both Dave and Billy K. I am surprised that it is not a requirement in every state similar to auto license. However, it will not stop any of the stupid crap from happening any more than requiring drivers licenses will. Maybe keep a few people from buying a boat and rather getting atv's or something instead. And then you have places like CA that will look at it as a form a revenue. And require anything with a license number to also have a boating license to operate. Should you really require a license for a SUP or Kayak? Paddleboats? Or only where they mix in with actual boats. What about rentals of the same. How many of those companies go out of business?
And will they start pulling people over just to check their license? That is the pain in the ass factor that I don't want to deal with. Sure, I took a course. I have the certificate. But if every Barney Fife with a boat is going to stop me for a boarding now so they can see if I have a cert. and fine me if I don't have it on me, the PITA factor will be enough for me to say screw it and get a motorhome again.
Stricter enforcement of the current laws is needed a whole lot more than telling someone "read this book and take this test".
And will they start pulling people over just to check their license? That is the pain in the ass factor that I don't want to deal with. Sure, I took a course. I have the certificate. But if every Barney Fife with a boat is going to stop me for a boarding now so they can see if I have a cert. and fine me if I don't have it on me, the PITA factor will be enough for me to say screw it and get a motorhome again.
Stricter enforcement of the current laws is needed a whole lot more than telling someone "read this book and take this test".
I really don't give a crap if a somebody doesn't know the rules and grounds themselves. During the basic course there is no discussion on docking your boat, that I remember anyway. Even if there is, it does not teach you how to dock your boat. Most docking incidents are minor damage anyway. My biggest concern about safety on the water is speed, especially at night. In the Great South Bay there should be a 15 mph speed limit from dusk to dawn. All the alcohol related incidents in which people are hurt involve high speeds. Forget about this bs certificate stuff and slow people down especially at night.
Speed kills.
Billy K.
Speed kills.
Billy K.
CmdrCamille
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How many people know there is a 12 mph speed limit in the state boat channel?
Like BillyK, I too have taken a tons of these courses as a kid. Good stuff to be learned IMHO. It should be an online course, like it is in other states. As far as making the waters safer with this course, well that's not going to happen. To do that and do this right, there should be a road test like a car license, not just a permit test like this. I don't think an 8 hour class, like others stated, is going to solve "stupid". Do we really need a class to teach us drinking and driving a boat is bad? Do you think its going to solve the speed problem Billy mentions?
I think, the 30mph speed limit already on the books is a fair speed for the bay, the 12mph speed limit for the state channel IMHO, is a bit slow and that too should be 30MPH max. Like Billy posted, "Speed Kills"
Although I feel this way about the speed limit, it is really not fair for jet skiers and responsible boat owners. The bay is big enough to accommodate go fast boats and jet skis, it's all about common sense and enforcement. Biggest problem we have IMHO is the lack of enforcement.
I think, the 30mph speed limit already on the books is a fair speed for the bay, the 12mph speed limit for the state channel IMHO, is a bit slow and that too should be 30MPH max. Like Billy posted, "Speed Kills"
Although I feel this way about the speed limit, it is really not fair for jet skiers and responsible boat owners. The bay is big enough to accommodate go fast boats and jet skis, it's all about common sense and enforcement. Biggest problem we have IMHO is the lack of enforcement.
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I think that goes for everywhere in the country Walter.
I didn't know there was a 30 mph speed limit in the bay. The boats launching at Tanner park do 60 - 100 mph regularly in the flats. The speed during the day is not as much an issue to me as at night. 30 mph is way too fast at night in the bay. The drunk idiots that mix in boating at night wouldn't kill their passengers if they would just slow down. If they didn't slow down, they would at least be easier to spot.
Billy K.
Billy K.
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I agree with John, more reasons for enforcement more hassels for us, I hope it doesn't become unbearable. I get stopped by coast guard everytime I go by Manhattan in my boat, it gets old. No we will have more reasons to be boarded...
It would be interesting to see the statistics on the number and cause of boating accidents in the waters around Nassau and Suffolk. Excluding those minor accidents due to maneuvering in tight quarters and and those secondary to alcohol ETOH, I suspect there are not many. If this suspicion is correct then requiring a course will probably have very little effect on accidents. If and when it’s enacted, the most good will come if it is directed at the younger age group which is more likely to throw caution to the wind. But as the consensus agrees no course or license can fix stupidity. So in the end what will really be accomplished.