Mandatory Licensing

Tigerpaws, in all fairness, if it's ok for you to dislike the government and be vocal about it, I think it's also ok for others to like it... right?

Or are you going to belittle everyone who doesnt agree with you on this issue?

If that is the case, why poll at all? Just retitle the thread to: "Tigerpaw's Beliefs on Licensing"
 
This topic always stirs up alot of emotion. I'll sit on the fence on this one. I have a licence to carry passengers. I don't feel a recreational boater should have to be licenced. I do feel the option should be there for the recreational boater & the reward for the recreational licensed boater should be a significant discount in insurance paid for by a corresponding surcharge on those unlicensed boaters who have crashes.
 
TP Maybe YOU better wake up and smell the coffee.
What ever Country you owe your allegiance to is your business, down along the east coast of the U.S. THEIR IS a boater safety problem.
Requiring people to attend a Nationally recognized boating course should be mandatory before allowing ANYBODY to operate a power boat..
The easiest way to keep tabs on boaters records is through licensing.
Violate the "Rules of the Road " enough and LOOSE you privilege to operate a boat..
T.P. For example If you were caught doing a no no in our National waters then your boat would be impounded, it's like rounding up illegal aliens after running a computer check through "I.C.E." ..Weeding out the miscreants and at the same time keeping our waters safe for the boating public. Even You, can understand that!
 
quote:
Originally posted by captchas

down along the east coast of the U.S. THEIR IS a boater safety problem.

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And licensing will not do a darn thing to solve the problem.
 
captchas,

While I was born in the independent country of California and spent a career in the U.S. Air Force I am still a citizen of the U.S.A. That dose not mean that I reside in the U.S. or any other country for that matter.

If you check it out I believe you will find that there are international treaties covering visiting vessels which supersede any law a state may pass or federal requirement may require, a treaty has the force of constitutional law which if I am not mistaken is still the supreme law of the land.

Come on admit it no license will stop or even slow down being stupid and people still drive without a DL do you REALLY believe a boating license will be any different. They drive and boat drunk, on drugs and well being stupid, you can not legislate against stupidly.

Then there is the recreational boating lobby, they will fight tooth and nail against any real licensing requirements and if they concede the requirement will be full of loop holes as in the proposed VA law.

Please no flame intended and maybe I have in past posts become a bit too passionate about this but having been part of the government machine I can say with some authority government is NOT your friend.

People often say that something is better than nothing but this is simply wishful thinking. Giving insurance breaks will be up to the insurance companies unless you want pass a law forcing them to do so?

What about the people with a 10-12' alum. boat or a blow up WalMart special with lawn chairs for seats and oars for power, do you think they have insurance or even care about it?

SeaQuest OE
Anchored at Rum Cay (going diving in 81f Gin clear water)
 
Even today, there is immediate lock up for D.U.I. , Reckless operation, No registration, No personal ID and like an auto license, fines are imposed along with hard time and loss of privilege to drive..
Now, what WE are seeking is parity for boaters who disregard the rules . I have seen hit and runs by boats who caused DAMAGE and have reported it to the Marine Police ,they thank me for being a concerned boater .I never hear of the end results of their investigations. I believe they should be News worthy items , to make people aware of the penalties involved , which should include loss of privilege to operate a motor vessel.
This looks like we will agree to disagree, good luck.
 
" No registration, No personal ID"?

As far as I know there is NO requirement for anyone to carry ID with them at anytime in the U.S.A., sounds like you are in favor of a national ID card and failure to carry your "Identification Documents" with you at all times would be a criminal offense? What next travel documents to go from state to state, city to city, I spent over 3 years in Russia just after the fall of the Soviet Union which was/is that way which is just what it sounds like you are suggesting?

Personal freedom is what the U.S.A. was built on, more government regulation only erodes those freedoms. It sounds a bit Polly-Anna to think that there will be a license for a WalMart blow up boat or that you can legislate stupidly.

A license will realistically do nothing to stop people from doing dumb things, being careless or stupid. There is more than enough laws on the books now they only need to be enforced and while I respect a states right to regulate its own waters when those waters are directly connected to the sea the rules become international then things become much more complicated.

SeaQuest OE
 
Have you ever borrowed a boat? Or rented one? STICKER? Are you looking to REQUIRE something to be affixed to a documented vessel which may be only passing through for a few days, weeks or months? How would anyone know the difference?

Please think through this.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I have many, many times. Primarily SW Florida/Marco Island.
That's where you get to rent a boat and they give you a water proof map with routes outlined in red and green! LOL
 
The more I think about this and read about this the more I realize that I completely agree with TP and others. Boating is a much smaller community that those that drive cars. it is one of the few things left in the world that someone can do and truly feel free. this is what boating is all about. Introducing laws and licensing and legislation will only serve to restrict that freedom As a boater I have taken several boating courses and read many books about boating and there is no requirement to do so. Most people I know who boat more often then the occasional rental ak lake george or the like are like me and have invested some time in learning how to boat safely. I understand there are a lot of unsafe boaters out there but licensing will do absolutely nothing to change that. Never will a license make someone a safe operator. Most of the unsafe practices I see on the water (south shore of long island) involve jerks that speed past anchored vessels or everyone racing to get to or from a fireworks display. I will bet you that many of these jerks have even taken a safe boating class in the life but choose to ignore it.
 
Mjacoby, Simply stated YOU are responsible for your wake, and any damage it causes,
like swamping smaller craft or re-arranging your galley.
Don't be fooled into thinking that it is some Else's problem, collectively we all are
responsible for actions taken on the water concerning our safety. Their are not enough Coasty's or LE patrolling these days as they are occupied with other more important duties as Harbor and Port security etc..
Sometimes I really wonder how you would solve the PROBLEM of law breaking boaters other then shaking your head and pointing your finger. If your happy with things as they are then ,so be it and good for you!

t
 
quote:
Originally posted by captchas

Sometimes I really wonder how you would solve the PROBLEM of law breaking boaters other then shaking your head and pointing your finger.

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It gets solved with the installation of a foredeck mounted remote .30 cal minigun. ;) You would just have to be very careful in identifying who gets to experience it.
 
Agreed .. We play for Keeps also! But you will notice that no one else has made any suggestion on how to improve a dangerous situation. The P.C. crowd is picking their noses
wondering who will speak up with any type of solution.
 
Charles,

I offered this at one time since there is NOT going to be any quick solution.

Two words for everybody to keep tucked away for easy reference:

SITUATIONAL AWARENESS (SA)

Licensing will not stop the fools and the a-holes who choose not to operate a car, boat, a/c or anything else under the rules-of-the-road.

It falls upon you..the individual..to understand what is going on around you and have the ability to make a split decision under fire.
 
Let us remember the third biggest lie:

I'm from the government and I will help you
 
Would that be right behind the perennial favorites: "I'll respect you in the morning" and "I promise I won't......"?
 
Well, lets see, aircraft have anti-collision radar. Cars are starting to acquire anti-collision systems. So, why not mandate anti-collision systems in boats? OH!!!! it will increase the cost but if boats have systems to assist in decreasing collisions then why not??? Hey, the armed forces mandate motorcycle safety courses and accidents still happen.
Another idea is that we could mandate that no boat would have a engine capable of pushing the boat through the water faster than 5 knots.
Any other stupid ideas other than these?
 
This disclaimer applies to ALL the posts here:

posts are amateur opinion only and should not be relied on as reasonable, safe, proper or in any way recommended.

— pdecat

[:-jump2]
 
quote:
Originally posted by inkblue

This disclaimer applies to ALL the posts here:

posts are amateur opinion only and should not be relied on as reasonable, safe, proper or in any way recommended.

— pdecat

[:-jump2]

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You don't know who Pdecat is, do you? You couldn't...you're new.

I can't go into it here....suffice to say that the wise man just observes Pdecat, but does not tease or challenge. Except me. Nothing is sacred.
 
I see these threads on all the fishing and boating boards. It's really amazing how gov't can get people to even entertain licensing when all they have to do is look around. Has licensing eliminated bad doctors? Bad lawyers? Bad plumbers? Bad electricians? Bad construction companies? Bad Drivers? I think these threads should ONLY have participants who have NEVER speeded in a car, NEVER drank and drove (any amount), NEVER tailgated, NEVER drove a vehicle with equipment violations, NEVER drove while on a cell phone, NEVER drove while eating, NEVER drove while reading, NEVER drove while applying makeup or shaving, and the multitude of other infractions which place themselves and my life in danger of injury or death. Yes, only those who have NEVER done any one or more of those things are qualified to pass an OPINION on this topic. All others must sit on the sidelines. :) Licensing is a way for gov't to raise money. They could give a hoot about safety as that is only another means of raising money through fines. They prey upon the fact that the average person desires security which you can't have even sitting at home. Scare people and they will go for anything and it increases the revenue flow.
 
Instead of blowing smoke, what is your solution on maintaining boating safety on our waters? Only OUR lives are concerned. As far as I see it, y'all would be happy not to require any type of license for anything, as the results still would remain the same in your mind for safety OR maybe you would deny work to a Doctor , plumber, electrician etc. for screwing up and causing pain, death or dismemberment. Gives Lawyers a wide field to play in.
*** possible solutions ***
Hefty Fines from perpetrators would help add to the collection of funds to pay for more Marine law Enforcement as we seem to be operating light in this area. Impounding more watercraft and selling them off (IT'S DONE IN FLORIDA)to increase funding for Marine Police. More active enforcement of Federal Rules by the U.S.C.G. and also by ALL Marine Police. No more free rides, you screw up you PAY, when it hurts your pocket then just maybe they will obey the rules.
 
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