Thought you would enjoy this...

rgranger · Dec 30, 2015

Virginia did the same thing seven years ago.... caught up with me this year and I took the test on-line with BoatU.S. It was free (nice) but very long. You had a mandatory 30 second wait on each page so it took almost four hours to complete. I would toggle pages and work on other things wile the page timed out. Probably not so bad if you had the T.V. on in the background.

woodster · Dec 30, 2015

i took one for Ga about 4 months back and what i got out of it was you need to know more about pwc's than anything else...but i will say that there was some good info on there ....a lot i already knew but i have yet to talk to a power boater that can converse about anything pertaining to that course(read they don't take it lol and are clueless on the water about the basics one should know)

25yearslater · Dec 30, 2015

I wonder if my Army Certification would be accepted when this hits New York even though somewhat dated? Heck, Allstate gives me a break on insurance for the courses I took at Ft. Eustis. I guess I don't see how this changes anything. A reckless boater is still reckless despite any education. The cost of boating should be incentive enough to learn the rules I would think.

Benny17441 · Dec 31, 2015

That is the landlubbers making new rules for boaters. I guess they need to be able to collect new fees.

Jackdaw · Dec 31, 2015

Brian D said:
I sent the DBW an email regarding sailing vessels with low power OB and inboard motors for the movement within marinas and harbors (with nominal speeds up to 8 knots). If I get a reply, I will post it.

If this is anything like all the other similar laws in the country, it's very cut and dry. A motorized vessel is a vessel with a motor. And a motor is a motor; 2HP or 200HP. You have on on your boat, you need the cert per the regs. If you don't have a motor, your don't.

Lawmakers (and LEOs) HATE gray areas.

Calif. Ted · Dec 31, 2015

I'll be over 75 by the time it's required, I don't think I'll care by then, what's the penalty for not having one ?
"What's that Deputy Bob ? Do I have what ????"

Meriachee · Dec 31, 2015

We have such a "card" in Canada, and it has little to nothing to do with the ColRegs. The contractors usually set up shop at the boat shows and you don't have to pay if you don't pass. My lovely wife took the course and passed, and that says nothing about her capabilities, just highlights the fact that a good guess often pays off.

Johnb · Dec 31, 2015

Guess I should take it now while I can still pass.

rgranger · Dec 31, 2015

Well I did complain about the length of the free BoatUS but I should have said that I think it is an okay thing to do... and they did send me a nice fancy laminated card....

there was a lot of good stuff on there about the proper way to pass, who is the stand on and who is the give way and a LOT about proper horn signals... I have only ever seen one person sound their horn when backing out of a slip and at Smith Mountain lake, I've never seen someone use their horn in a passing situation... although I have seen it on the Chessy.....

There was also a fair amount about navigational aids....

So I guess if the authorities actually enforce the rule and make sure that the typical boater has at least some basic training... we should all benefit... on the other hand... if the only people taking the time to get certified already know what they are doing.... ....... .....

Roland5048 · Jan 2, 2016

If you were born before Jan. 1st 1988, here in Fl. one needs to have a boater safety card to operate a motorboat of more than 10 hp. This can be done online. The charter company I captain for also rents out drive it yourself pontoon boats. If a person, never having driven a boat, comes up and doesn't have a card they can go on the company's computer, pull up the required site, read a bit, answer some questions and print out a card. They are now licensed to operate a vessel. Oh, yea, they also need a major credit card.

druid · Jan 2, 2016

We've had mandatory "license" (Pleasure Craft Operator Card, or PCOC) in Canada for many years now. On the one hand, it's not arduous and the course you have to take/pass has some pretty basic boating information, including nav aids. On the other hand, it doesn't seem to have reduced the number of idiots on the water...

druid

Ken Cross · Jan 2, 2016

The way I see it: if you can't pass the course, I really don't want you on the water. The test is pretty basic. It's also a good review for old guys like me. At least done the way it is in our state (Washington) it helps the jet skiers to know there are actually rules. Born before 1955 you don't need a card. I've only been asked for it once (USCG inspection which I view as a good thing too because if I'm missing equipment or have a dangerous condition I want to know.)

Ken

dscribner · Jan 4, 2016

It's looming its head in Maine also. But, right now anybody "from away" can show up, toss down the cash and rent something with 300hp strapped to its aft, ram the throttle forward and take out a family of four, plus aged grandma, on their way to the island for a picnic, no certificate required. I'm in favor of some sort of license. Any given day on Portland harbour, I joust tacks with 50 to 100 sailboats, motor boats, lobster boats, water taxis, ferries, freighters, oil tankers, cruise ships and the odd PWC. Many of those have captain's licenses in some form, for which I am thankful. But if I KNEW the others had some sort of certification that at least taught them "right of way" on the water, it would take some of the worry out.

DAVA390 · Jan 4, 2016

Roland5048 said:
If you were born before Jan. 1st 1988, here in Fl. one needs to have a boater safety card to operate a motorboat of more than 10 hp. This can be done online. The charter company I captain for also rents out drive it yourself pontoon boats. If a person, never having driven a boat, comes up and doesn't have a card they can go on the company's computer, pull up the required site, read a bit, answer some questions and print out a card. They are now licensed to operate a vessel. Oh, yea, they also need a major credit card.

This is required for "born before" 1988?, not "born after" to get new and younger folks educated? MD. Has a requirement for anyone "born after" a certain year to let the old timers be grandfathered in.

All U Get · Jan 4, 2016

I have the NASBLA card from 2004 but had taken the Power Squadron before that. Many the same questions in the ASA 101. Found my father-in -laws Power Squadron book from the '60s, very much the same. I think some of you were in the pictures from that book, not saying you're old as dirt.

All U Get

All U Get · Jan 4, 2016

dscribner said:
It's looming its head in Maine also. But, right now anybody "from away" can show up, toss down the cash and rent something with 300hp strapped to its aft, ram the throttle forward and take out a family of four, plus aged grandma, on their way to the island for a picnic, no certificate required.

You mean the GWB family from Walkers Point?

All U Get

Jackdaw · Jan 4, 2016

All U Get said:
You mean the GWB family from Walkers Point?

All U Get