Here we go!!
- Thread starter sfgary
- Start date
I think you may be reading too much into this. Seems to me lawmakers are just providing justification for a new users fee to help the Estate's budget along.
It's not like there is any revenue generation. We don't pay a fee for the cert IIRC. There was a fee for the course, which was paid to GC Aux, I think. It wasn't much and you pay it only once. I have to renew my dr license this summer. I'll have to pay attention if there is an additional amount for boating license but I don't think so. Renewed every 4 years? They certainly don't get much, if any. In this case, I think the legislators are just trying to act like a bunch of do-gooders ... there isn't anything sinister behind it IMO.
...this has been phased in by age in WA for some time. I'm 57, had to get my boater's card this year. The study course was free thru BoatUS. It took about 8 hrs to complete. There was a separate chapter (required by everyone) for PWC. The test took around 45 mins and was quite comprehensive. I see nothing wrong with this...education is always a good thing.
I think this may be a program they started a few years ago, originally they were going to phase it in by age. First under adult age, then working their way up, I seem to recall they were gonna give old codgers like myself a pass. I guess it ain't the seniors running into stuff.
{sarcasm font}Aw now Scott, a little spying, search and seizure, and confinement without trial is no big deal if it keeps us safe from....gasp..tremble....quiver.....terrorist!{sarcasm font}
Louisiana requires anyone born after Jan1, '84 to have the card if operating more than 10 horsepower or any PWC. Can be done on line or local Power Squadrons.. I think all the states on the gulf coast are similar. I went on line and did Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama so the boys have one less thing to hassle me about. I took the power Squadron course for Louisiana and thought it interesting that several of the folks there had been mandated there by a judge after a boating accident.
The posts offered here had alot of good takes in this thread. So mine is a 2-parter. First is my political take & secondly the question of required training.
First, I did like what Scott had to say on how voters have let Big Brother do what it wants. And we the voter, have no one to blame but us. For those who are party affiliate remember, everyone gets exactly what they want in life. The parties no longer represent the wishes of the people. I for one, rant-n-rave to others about our government's true role which is bowing to big corporate, interest & greed all the while eroding our rights.
Remember way back when, if the gov't. was gonna screw you over, they would hide it from you? Not anymore, because of our apathy, indifference and ignorance (quoted), it's almost 1984. Hello George Orwell & welcome to Fascism.
Back to mandatory boating safety requirements, I feel training is needed for newbies. Insurance companies already offer discounts for courses. But, a true training course must not limited to the classroom but, also must include onwater training and/or testing. Otherwise, it's only another vehicle for the state to generate money. Unfortunately, this type of course will cost us more $$$. It just keeps going up guys.
Sadly, with training or not, you can't legislate or prevent boating stupidity.
CR
First, I did like what Scott had to say on how voters have let Big Brother do what it wants. And we the voter, have no one to blame but us. For those who are party affiliate remember, everyone gets exactly what they want in life. The parties no longer represent the wishes of the people. I for one, rant-n-rave to others about our government's true role which is bowing to big corporate, interest & greed all the while eroding our rights.
Remember way back when, if the gov't. was gonna screw you over, they would hide it from you? Not anymore, because of our apathy, indifference and ignorance (quoted), it's almost 1984. Hello George Orwell & welcome to Fascism.
Back to mandatory boating safety requirements, I feel training is needed for newbies. Insurance companies already offer discounts for courses. But, a true training course must not limited to the classroom but, also must include onwater training and/or testing. Otherwise, it's only another vehicle for the state to generate money. Unfortunately, this type of course will cost us more $$$. It just keeps going up guys.
Sadly, with training or not, you can't legislate or prevent boating stupidity.
CR
NJ has a charge (tax) for your DL. I believe it was an additional 8 dollars. My sons will tell you as they upgraded their DL from Provisional to the regular DL when the reached 18 they were hit again with the charge (tax). My youngest just got his CDL and they hit him again. It adds up.
SB 1162, Runner. Animal control: tranquilizers. Existing law authorizes any peace officer, humane society officer, or animal control officer to take possession of a stray or abandoned animal and to provide care and treatment for the animal until the animal is deemed to be in suitable condition to be returned to the animal’s owner.
SB 941 May 29, 2014 A bill to require an individual to pass a boating education examination and obtain a vessel operator card from the Division of Boating and Waterways in order to operate a boat in California passed the Senate yesterday. California is one of five states that do not require individuals to take a boating safety course before operating a vessel. Starts Jan 1, 2018.
SB 941 May 29, 2014 A bill to require an individual to pass a boating education examination and obtain a vessel operator card from the Division of Boating and Waterways in order to operate a boat in California passed the Senate yesterday. California is one of five states that do not require individuals to take a boating safety course before operating a vessel. Starts Jan 1, 2018.
When CT started to require Safe Boating Certs, I happened to own a 12' Alum row boat, that was registered. That was all it took to get a Cert. When my kids were tiny, I'm thinking like 10 and 12 or there abouts, I enrolled them in the safe boating course. They came out of there with a permit to operate a jet ski and a boat up to 65'. Pretty crazy stuff. The other part of this that makes no sense to me is that no one without a Cert, can, legally, operate my boat, even if I am standing beside them at the helm. This just seems counter to the fact that the captain is always responsible for whatever happens on his or her boat.
Overall it seems like the course and Cert are a good idea but they certainly don't teach the common sense that is truly required for safe boating, Steve.
Overall it seems like the course and Cert are a good idea but they certainly don't teach the common sense that is truly required for safe boating, Steve.
IIRC, in Fla have a boater safety card, required for anyone born after 1980 (IIRC).
very very easy test. taken online,(open book), cost for the card was 5 bucks (IIRC).
I got mine since it saves 5% off insurance....
its a start....
-the fact is any yahoo with money can buy a 1000hp go fast and blast thru the water without ever taking any tests is just crazy!
but that's how it is.
Every weekend there are many sandbar parties with go fast boats full of women and liquor, loud music.
(full disclosure, I did have a gofast, with 500hp...)
very very easy test. taken online,(open book), cost for the card was 5 bucks (IIRC).
I got mine since it saves 5% off insurance....
its a start....
-the fact is any yahoo with money can buy a 1000hp go fast and blast thru the water without ever taking any tests is just crazy!
but that's how it is.
Every weekend there are many sandbar parties with go fast boats full of women and liquor, loud music.
(full disclosure, I did have a gofast, with 500hp...)