Educate, not legislate
I have been sailing for nearly 40 years - learned at school, but no formal qualifications. I am now actually doing my formal qualifications. Many of the people posting on this topic have hit a key point - rather that trying to legislate, get the insurance companies to differentially price against approved qualifications. (Don't underestimate the power of the insurance companies - some years ago, car makers were persuaded to bring in fenders that would withstand a 5mph impact without damage. However, this added to the costs, so they later wanted to change this to 2.5mph. They gave up on the idea when the insurance companies told them what they would do with the premiums). On one side of the debate, we have those who believe in freedom - that people should be able to get on the water without restriction. However, almost any water craft - a sailboat, a PWC, a power boat - is a lethal weapon and is never completely under control. A car is on ground that is fixed - a boat is on ground that moves (currents and tides) and is affected by the wind in addition. This is not a problem in open waters, with no other vessels around, but is a serious problem in restricted and crowded waters. And it is here that the problem lies - responsibility to other users. Most people are responsible. It is how we deal with the irresponsible ones who threaten the lives of the rest. Evidence comparing the UK to other European countries - the UK does not have compulsory qualifications; other countries do - suggests that compulsory qualifications does not necessarily lead to better safety. What does happen is that we have a strong culture of encouraging people to voluntarily get qualifications. In my club, we note that anyone who may be a little unsure of what they are doing gets some gentle help and advice. I have just sold my old boat to someone new to sailing, and I will take him out to teach him some of the basics. With the jet skiers who continually cut up close to the sailing boats without any thought, I console myself that the RYA has done research that shows that the average jetskier only does it for 6 months before they get bored and give up. I have been trying to get my club to open up and encourage these guys to join. Then we can take them out on a sailing boat, and show them the effect it has on us. And when they get bored, offer them a way into sailing, and bring their families. Meanwhile, I rescue one or two power boats each summer that have swamped their engines, run out of fuel etc. all in strong tidal waters. I quietly point out that they should carry a paddle and a small anchor might also be a useful idea. I try to break down any idea that there is an "us" and "them". Some of the beaches in the UK demand to see the insurance of people launching from the beach. This encourages me to think that an insurance led approach to encourage training and qualifications is a good one. I don't want strict legal requirements - otherwise how can I put someone at the helm for the first time in a quiet spot and get them enthused with the sport. A couple of years ago, my father in law (still sailing at 83) and I took out a disabled lady - probably in her mid 50s. When we were in clear water, gentle winds and sorted out, we gave her the helm and showed her how to sail. She was so thrilled - she explained that because of her disabilities, she had never been able to drive and this was the first time in her life that she had been in charge of a "vehicle". I don't want legislation that would remove these opportunities. So, sometimes we may have to offer to help and educate, rather than berate, those who do not seem to quite know what they are doing. "Did that sudden current catch you unawares?" may be better than "you stupid t***** for cutting me up like that" and offers the opportunity for a "sorry" and to engage in a conversation and make polite suggestions on how to avoid it in future.
I have been sailing for nearly 40 years - learned at school, but no formal qualifications. I am now actually doing my formal qualifications. Many of the people posting on this topic have hit a key point - rather that trying to legislate, get the insurance companies to differentially price against approved qualifications. (Don't underestimate the power of the insurance companies - some years ago, car makers were persuaded to bring in fenders that would withstand a 5mph impact without damage. However, this added to the costs, so they later wanted to change this to 2.5mph. They gave up on the idea when the insurance companies told them what they would do with the premiums). On one side of the debate, we have those who believe in freedom - that people should be able to get on the water without restriction. However, almost any water craft - a sailboat, a PWC, a power boat - is a lethal weapon and is never completely under control. A car is on ground that is fixed - a boat is on ground that moves (currents and tides) and is affected by the wind in addition. This is not a problem in open waters, with no other vessels around, but is a serious problem in restricted and crowded waters. And it is here that the problem lies - responsibility to other users. Most people are responsible. It is how we deal with the irresponsible ones who threaten the lives of the rest. Evidence comparing the UK to other European countries - the UK does not have compulsory qualifications; other countries do - suggests that compulsory qualifications does not necessarily lead to better safety. What does happen is that we have a strong culture of encouraging people to voluntarily get qualifications. In my club, we note that anyone who may be a little unsure of what they are doing gets some gentle help and advice. I have just sold my old boat to someone new to sailing, and I will take him out to teach him some of the basics. With the jet skiers who continually cut up close to the sailing boats without any thought, I console myself that the RYA has done research that shows that the average jetskier only does it for 6 months before they get bored and give up. I have been trying to get my club to open up and encourage these guys to join. Then we can take them out on a sailing boat, and show them the effect it has on us. And when they get bored, offer them a way into sailing, and bring their families. Meanwhile, I rescue one or two power boats each summer that have swamped their engines, run out of fuel etc. all in strong tidal waters. I quietly point out that they should carry a paddle and a small anchor might also be a useful idea. I try to break down any idea that there is an "us" and "them". Some of the beaches in the UK demand to see the insurance of people launching from the beach. This encourages me to think that an insurance led approach to encourage training and qualifications is a good one. I don't want strict legal requirements - otherwise how can I put someone at the helm for the first time in a quiet spot and get them enthused with the sport. A couple of years ago, my father in law (still sailing at 83) and I took out a disabled lady - probably in her mid 50s. When we were in clear water, gentle winds and sorted out, we gave her the helm and showed her how to sail. She was so thrilled - she explained that because of her disabilities, she had never been able to drive and this was the first time in her life that she had been in charge of a "vehicle". I don't want legislation that would remove these opportunities. So, sometimes we may have to offer to help and educate, rather than berate, those who do not seem to quite know what they are doing. "Did that sudden current catch you unawares?" may be better than "you stupid t***** for cutting me up like that" and offers the opportunity for a "sorry" and to engage in a conversation and make polite suggestions on how to avoid it in future.
