California Boater Card

[Alan Gomes]

Maybe not a bad thing. Not to defend, but jet skis are much more dangerous to the operators themselves and “passengers”, rather than other to boaters, IMO. They stop quickly. We big boaters must have this “education” b/c of the danger or risk of harm we pose to others, if there is any cogent explanation available.

It definitely would not be a bad thing. But while you may be right that jet skis are more dangerous to the operators themselves, a jet ski center punching my hull at 25 knots would definitely do some damage.

 

[Kings Gambit]

It definitely would not be a bad thing. But while you may be right that jet skis are more dangerous to the operators themselves, a jet ski center punching my hull at 25 knots would definitely do some damage.

I think my point is that a jet ski operator could stop with almost no forward momentum if a collision were imminent, or turn quickly. My eight-ton sailboat cannot. So as an operator I need to know what an oncoming vessel in a crossing or overtaking situation is supposed to do, and I as well. I just hope that s/he knows.

 

[Alan Gomes]

Here is another site that mentions the 15 HP... I just heard about this from some California sailors who sail on Lake Havasu - I guess technically covered by whatever this license is about.

https://californiaboatercard.com/about-the-card/

+California age restrictions for operating a motorized vessel: According to California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 658.5, NO person under 16 years of age may operate a boat with a motor of more than 15 horsepower, except for a sailboat that does not exceed 30 feet in length or a dinghy used directly between a moored boat and the shore (or between two moored boats).

Correct me if I'm wrong here--and believe me, I'd like to be--but I don't think this provision is any kind of get out of jail free card for having to get the California Boater Card.

It refers to a different section of the navigation code (658.5), which prohibits people under 16 years of age from operating a boat with 15 hp or more, the exception being sailboats less than 30' even if they have a larger motor. It is not saying that I am allowed operate a vessel without the boater's card if the engine is less than 15 hp. It reads simply as a restriction placed only on those under the age of 16, irrespective of anything having to do with a boater's card.

The wording on the earlier link to the Lake Perris site certainly did seem to imply that people operating boats with less than 15 hp did not need the card. But I think that may have been a result of conflating these two separate issues.

 

[Alan Gomes]

Here's the text of the law direct from the ca.gov website (vs. the FindLaw site I linked earlier). I think we can take this as the definitive text.

No exceptions for less than 15 hp! Well, it was a nice thought while it lasted!

 

[dlochner]

Obviously. And that's because, unlike poor saps like us, the rental companies have lobbyists who grease the palms of the corrupt politicians who write these laws.

My point is simply that if this requirement were not simply a money grab but a way to make our waterways truly safer, they would not exempt the most dangerous class of boat operator from them.

I think this is just a first step in reigning the mayhem that is one the water in some places. Next, insurance companies may require the owner/operator of an insured boat have the license. If a license is necessary to operate a boat, then some of the laws have more teeth behind them. BWI and get caught, lose your boating license. Steeper fine if you get caught afterwards operating a boat. It is unfortunate that we responsible operators have to jump the hoops, but if it puts in motion efforts to control the irresponsible boaters, then it is a good thing.

We are going down the ICW and so far we've been lucky the few motor yachts we have seen have passed us safely, but that is often not the case. A friend in a 36' was pulled over by a sheriff outside of Savannah GA for speeding and throwing a wake, he was only going 7 knots, that's as fast as his boat can motor (I know I have the same boat). Oops.

BTW, CA is not alone, NY enacted a similar law a few years ago. It took effect in stages based on the boater's age, get the kids first and the geezers last. I got mine!

 

[Kings Gambit]

Thanks, Alan, for the work digging this up. I read in 678.11 (c) (2) that an operator under direct supervision of an adult possessing the Card is not required to possess one. So, that vacates my earlier concerns.
KG

 

[Rick Webb]

I think my point is that a jet ski operator could stop with almost no forward momentum if a collision were imminent, or turn quickly. My eight-ton sailboat cannot. So as an operator I need to know what an oncoming vessel in a crossing or overtaking situation is supposed to do, and I as well. I just hope that s/he knows.

PWCs do not quite operate that way. When the operator reduces power they have virtually no control. That is why they are particularly dangerous to novice operators. One's natural inclination when a collision or allusion is imminent is to pull back on the power and turn. What happens is the PWC keeps the same track and does not slow very quickly until it comes off plane.

I spent more than twenty years working with the state, local marine law enforcement and the Coast Guard. Sailboats typically receive very little attention. A sailboat with fishing lines in the water may get some interest from the wildlife guys or a boat crewed by a pack of drunken hooligans will draw attention but not the casual guy who is enjoying a sail and causing no drama.

 

[dLj]

Beyond California's jurisdictional waters, the skipper likely would be the most, if not sole, culpable party, But the State of CA claims jurisdiction over the 23 n.mi., i.e., the San Pedro Channel, between Long Beach and Catalina Island, where I imagine state boating laws would apply and be enforced by the CG if so wishing.

This comment requires context.

If the boat is state registered, then state laws over that jurisdictional region would likely be the legal jurisdiction. If running a US Coast Guard documented boat, if could be a fight if the boat uses a California port as identification. If a US Coast Guard documented boat from outside of California, then international regulations would become paramount.

dj

 

[justsomeguy]

I thought I was going to have to get this infernal card

Nice you didn't feel the need to capitalize "card".

 

[pgandw]

I think this is just a first step in reigning the mayhem that is one the water in some places. Next, insurance companies may require the owner/operator of an insured boat have the license. If a license is necessary to operate a boat, then some of the laws have more teeth behind them. BWI and get caught, lose your boating license. Steeper fine if you get caught afterwards operating a boat. It is unfortunate that we responsible operators have to jump the hoops, but if it puts in motion efforts to control the irresponsible boaters, then it is a good thing.

We are going down the ICW and so far we've been lucky the few motor yachts we have seen have passed us safely, but that is often not the case. A friend in a 36' was pulled over by a sheriff outside of Savannah GA for speeding and throwing a wake, he was only going 7 knots, that's as fast as his boat can motor (I know I have the same boat). Oops.

BTW, CA is not alone, NY enacted a similar law a few years ago. It took effect in stages based on the boater's age, get the kids first and the geezers last. I got mine!

NC requires a safe boating class (can be done online) for those born after 1990. Here in my neck of NC, a state boat comes up our creek once a year. The majority of the aids to navigation are privately maintained.

Florida boat rentals that I have used require a safe boating course (I've done both NC and FL courses). CG Auxiliary requires a safe boating course as part of initial member training.

Along the insurance lines, my Progressive Insurance requires a listed (insured) operator to be on board at all times when underway. Guests not listed on the policy may operate the boat under the supervision of a listed operator.

Fred W

 

[dLj]

New York has a similar program. I was grandfathered in given my age and boating experience. But I just took the online test and got the boater card. There is a date in the future where it will become required so I figured I'd simply get it done. Here, once I have to renew my driver's license, I'll get that endorsement applied directly onto my driver's license so I'll have a one document license. Similar to having a motorcycle endorsement.

dj

 

[DArcy]

Canada requires people who operate powered boats to show proof of competency. One way to show this is with the PCOC (Pleasure Craft Operator Card). When this came in years ago they phased it in starting with younger people but eventually it caught up with me and I was required to get the card.

I was going into the hardware store and there was a tent set up out front where you could challenge the test. I decided to pop in and write it. The woman marking my test asked if I studied and when I said I had not she asked if I had been boating for a while. She said not many pass without taking the course. I think this highlights the need for the proof of competency. The test was fairly basic with general give way rules, some basic navigation markers and questions about required equipment. I'm glad people need to have at least a minimal level of understanding of these things to get out on the water.

Having said that, they are trying to accommodate boat rentals for non-residents. For non-residents, proof of competency can take one of three forms:

1. A Pleasure Craft Operator Card;
2. A completed boat rental safety checklist (for power-driven rental boats); or,
3. An operator card or equivalent which meets the requirements of their state or country.

I saw a family rent a pontoon boat (presumably someone on board completed the rental safety checklist) and drive the boat straight down a set of rapids on the river. They got stuck but there was no immediate danger to them or to anyone else. A rescue crew had to go get them though.

 

[Kings Gambit]

I saw a family rent a pontoon boat (presumably someone on board completed the rental safety checklist) and drive the boat straight down a set of rapids on the river. They got stuck but there was no immediate danger to them or to anyone else. A rescue crew had to go get them though.

I doubt that question was on the test.

 

[Project_Mayhem]

reigning the mayhem

Sir, I shall not be reigned in!

 

[Kings Gambit]

Maybe we wise, experienced old salts should advise the test makers what new boaters should know for safety. For example, …

1) In which scenario below is a sailboat under sail not the stand-on vessel?

a) Overtaking a engine-driven vessel.
b) Sailing across a shipping lane with approaching traffic.
c) Crossing another sailboat on starboard tack.
d) Each of the above.
e) Neither of the above.

2) When approaching an area of anchored vessels, it’s best to…

a) slow to minimize wake so as not to rock the anchored vessels.
b) pass anchored vessels astern of them if possible.
c) if crossing between, assume vessels have veered at least 5x water depth of rode.
d) if crossing between, determine which vessels are “moored.”
e) “a” above
f) Each of the above.

 

[Kings Gambit]

Oh, yeah. We cannot forget the classic..

3) If unexpectedly approaching river rapids or other rapid waters from the direction of flow for the first time, you should

a) slow down and allow the current to take you over.
b) increase speed to pass over quickly.
c) avoid them; remain “up stream.”
d) simply kiss your ass good-bye.
e) use your cell phone to report your situation and call for help.
f) log on to your Facebook page to ask friends for advice.

 

[dLj]

Oh, yeah. We cannot forget the classic..

3) If unexpectedly approaching river rapids or other rapid waters from the direction of flow for the first time, you should

a) slow down and allow the current to take you over.
b) increase speed to pass over quickly.
c) avoid them; remain “up stream.”
d) simply kiss your ass good-bye.
e) use your cell phone to report your situation and call for help.
f) log on to your Facebook page to ask friends for advice.

You forgot the option g) e and f above...

(This one was hilarious!)

dj

 

[KCofKC]

I have a boat that I travel with, been doing it for decades. It seems it will become harder for trailer sailors to explore than it used to. I do see some good points to it but if I have to get a new card in every-state I visit that will be kind of a pain in the patoot.

 

[dLj]

I have a boat that I travel with, been doing it for decades. It seems it will become harder for trailer sailors to explore than it used to. I do see some good points to it but if I have to get a new card in every-state I visit that will be kind of a pain in the patoot.

Doesn't seem to be the case - if you have the card from one state, it works for others. Similar to a drivers license - you can drive anywhere in the US with the same drivers license from your state.

dj

 

[pgandw]

Doesn't seem to be the case - if you have the card from one state, it works for others. Similar to a drivers license - you can drive anywhere in the US with the same drivers license from your state.

Yes and no. I don't think being out of state is going to save you if you use the wrong type of outboard on a California lake (some are no 2 stroke, and some are electric only).

It will be interesting to see what California is going to do to 2025 and later motorhomes, which are illegal. Are they going to stop the motorhomes at the border and turn them around?