Pleasure Craft Operator Card 2

capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,935
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
The other post with the same name brings up an interesting question for me. I didn't want to hijack his post so I posted this. I've never had a Pleasure Craft Operator Card and do not intend to get one. As a retired mariner with 4 master's tickets, including 2 unlimited tonnage all oceans, a Commonwealth chief officer's certification and a USCG 200 ton master, would the powers that be think I require a Pleasure Craft Operator Card? I hope to be running a 20' Mako near coastal almost daily and out to the Tuna grounds off New England once in a while.
Input welcome.
 
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dandan88

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May 2, 2022
4
Newport Newport 27-3 Vancouver
In Canada all operators of a pleasure craft need proof of competency. A pleasure craft operator card is one of the 4 proofs of competency that Transport Canada recognizes.

From the Transport Canada website :
Proof of competency can be any of the following:

- A Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC);
- A certificate that states you have successfully completed a boating safety course in Canada prior to April 1, 1999;
- A completed and signed boat rental safety checklist (applicable only for rental period); or
- A specified marine certificate or equivalency recognized by Transport Canada.
Click to expand
 
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dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,958
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
capta said:
The other post with the same name brings up an interesting question for me. I didn't want to hijack his post so I posted this. I've never had a Pleasure Craft Operator Card and do not intend to get one. As a retired mariner with 4 master's tickets, including 2 unlimited tonnage all oceans, a Commonwealth chief officer's certification and a USCG 200 ton master, would the powers that be think I require a Pleasure Craft Operator Card? I hope to be running a 20' Mako near coastal almost daily and out to the Tuna grounds off New England once in a while.
Input welcome.
Click to expand
Well, you're a unicorn. :biggrin:

In NY all operators of pleasure craft need to have a "Boaters Safety Certificate" in order to legally operate a boat. This has been phased in over a 5 year period, with youngest going first. Since I was hoping to still be alive when it was time for the geezers to need one I obtained it last winter. Neither expensive nor difficult, it occupied a few cold snowy afternoons letting instructional videos run on the computer while I attended to other things, stopping only to answer the quiz at the end of each section. Boat/US offers the course for free and charges a few bucks to get a nice plastic wallet sized card indicating you have met the requirements.

As for someone with your credentials and experience, it does seem unnecessary, however, the laws were passed without thought to the experienced and credentialed mariners. They are written to address all the idiots out there who don't belong on the water. Have you been through the ICW in Florida on a weekend? Need I say more?
 
jon hansen

jon hansen

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May 25, 2012
4,338
john alden caravelle 42 sturgeon bay, wis
i carry a photo copy of my master's license, now expired. the coasties excepted it during a random stop while out running hard in my formula 242 one pretty morning on green bay. they issued it to me. all good. it certainly implies knowledge way beyond that little test online.
 
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WayneH

WayneH

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Jan 22, 2008
1,094
Tartan 37 287 Pensacola, FL
The Admiral and I were at Orange Beach, AL a few years back during Memorial Day weekend. If I'm ever in that situation again, I'm crawling as far into Ingram Bayou as I can and waiting it out.

That said, I took the state course even though I was exempted because I'm "old". :puke:I've been boarded in Texas and Louisiana and not asked for a certificate. I must look old. :puke:
 
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capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,935
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
dlochner said:
Well, you're a unicorn. :biggrin:

In NY all operators of pleasure craft need to have a "Boaters Safety Certificate" in order to legally operate a boat. This has been phased in over a 5 year period, with youngest going first. Since I was hoping to still be alive when it was time for the geezers to need one I obtained it last winter. Neither expensive nor difficult, it occupied a few cold snowy afternoons letting instructional videos run on the computer while I attended to other things, stopping only to answer the quiz at the end of each section. Boat/US offers the course for free and charges a few bucks to get a nice plastic wallet sized card indicating you have met the requirements.

As for someone with your credentials and experience, it does seem unnecessary, however, the laws were passed without thought to the experienced and credentialed mariners. They are written to address all the idiots out there who don't belong on the water. Have you been through the ICW in Florida on a weekend? Need I say more?
Click to expand
One of my worst days on the water was operating a tug and barge in the ICW between Liquordale and Miami. The guys on the jet skis thought it fun to see how close they could get to the barges bow (the kind with the long overhang) without dying. As far as I know they all made it, but I couldn't have done anything had one not.
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,145
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
Oregon established the law, "You must have a Boaters Certificate", and grandfathered in all of the plus 55 boaters. Then a few years go by and they decide to change the Law with a regulation. All Boaters must have a Certificate. There was a progressive schedule for requirement over a 5 year period. My sense they wanted to get the $20 required for registration.

I took the course when offered online. It was a rehash of all the things I learned as a teenager before I was allowed to check out the boats from the Navy Special Services boat rental.

There are a few exemptions for the boater education card. Age is not an exemption. There is no upper age limit to education.
  • Boaters with a current Coast Guard Boat Operator License: Boaters such as guides and barge operators who hold a current Coast Guard Boat Operator License are exempt from the requirement.
  • Commercial Fisherman: Boaters who hold a current commercial fishing license do not have to carry a boater education card when operating recreationally but do need to carry their commercial license or documentation. (ORS 830.092(2))
  • Non-certified, supervised adults: The law allows a non-certified adult to operate a power boat IF under direct supervision of an adult 16 or older who is carrying a boater education card. If operating a PWC, the card holding adult must be 18 or older.
  • Boat Renters: Renters will be exempt, but must complete a watercraft rental safety checklist.
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,093
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
In Louisiana, a certificate is required if born after 1 Jan 1984, but basicallly same as most other places otherwise.
 
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dlochner

.
Jan 11, 2014
12,958
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
jssailem said:
Oregon established the law, "You must have a Boaters Certificate", and grandfathered in all of the plus 55 boaters. Then a few years go by and they decide to change the Law with a regulation. All Boaters must have a Certificate. There was a progressive schedule for requirement over a 5 year period. My sense they wanted to get the $20 required for registration.

I took the course when offered online. It was a rehash of all the things I learned as a teenager before I was allowed to check out the boats from the Navy Special Services boat rental.

There are a few exemptions for the boater education card. Age is not an exemption. There is no upper age limit to education.
  • Boaters with a current Coast Guard Boat Operator License: Boaters such as guides and barge operators who hold a current Coast Guard Boat Operator License are exempt from the requirement.
  • Commercial Fisherman: Boaters who hold a current commercial fishing license do not have to carry a boater education card when operating recreationally but do need to carry their commercial license or documentation. (ORS 830.092(2))
  • Non-certified, supervised adults: The law allows a non-certified adult to operate a power boat IF under direct supervision of an adult 16 or older who is carrying a boater education card. If operating a PWC, the card holding adult must be 18 or older.
  • Boat Renters: Renters will be exempt, but must complete a watercraft rental safety checklist.
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And the most dangerous boaters, the renters, don’t need a certificate. I can imagine the rigor rental companies will use with the safety checklist.
 
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Ward H

Ward H

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Nov 7, 2011
3,786
Catalina 30 Mk II Cedar Creek, Bayville NJ
WayneH said:
The Admiral and I were at Orange Beach, AL a few years back during Memorial Day weekend. If I'm ever in that situation again, I'm crawling as far into Ingram Bayou as I can and waiting it out.
Click to expand
We looked at the weekend weather forecast - Sunny & Warm, weekend wind forecast - Low winds, considered the road traffic - Heavy and we decided to skip the boat this weekend. The first and last summer season holidays are the worst of the summer weekends for sailing when the weather is nice and winds are low. Just to many crazies out there.
 
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dlochner

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Jan 11, 2014
12,958
Sabre 362 113 Fair Haven, NY
No crazies here in the middle of the Chesapeake with light winds great for cocktail sailing but not so much for cruising when the wind is dead on the nose. :(
 
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capta

capta

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Jun 4, 2009
4,935
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
dlochner said:
No crazies here in the middle of the Chesapeake with light winds great for cocktail sailing but not so much for cruising when the wind is dead on the nose. :(
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Yep, I know. For over 6 decades my sailing course has been in exactly the same direction that my Windex is pointing. But, now that I've turned to the dark side, I'm going to install one just to thumb my nose at it. lol
 
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WayneH

WayneH

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Jan 22, 2008
1,094
Tartan 37 287 Pensacola, FL
capta said:
Yep, I know. For over 6 decades my sailing course has been in exactly the same direction that my Windex is pointing. But, now that I've turned to the dark side, I'm going to install one just to thumb my nose at it. lol
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I've been told that on a sailboat, it's not a Windex, it's a destination finder. I have lots of experience in proving that point.:banghead:
 
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PaulK

PaulK

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Dec 1, 2009
1,408
Sabre 402 Southport, CT
Why are you asking us this question? Why not ask them? One would think that a commercial operator's license would be more than equivalent to a 'Pleasure Craft Operator Card". We don't know. The people who issue the cards should be able to tell you. Perhaps they will provide you with one based on your certs. Ask them.
 
sailme88

sailme88

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Jan 19, 2010
1,294
Catalina 34 Casco Bay
It really isn't a question of what you HAD, it is now all about what you HAVE,,, This includes a current CPR card...This requirement is BS...If you are the only one aboard with a CPR card, and a paying guest suffers a malaise that requires you to take action, who is going to operate the boat.. Except for obstructed airway, CPR is basically performed on a dead person... the "R" says it all resuscitation....
 
capta

capta

.
Jun 4, 2009
4,935
Pearson 530 Admiralty Bay, Bequia SVG
I guess I got lucky. RI doesn't require the card if one was born before 1986. I wish...
 
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jssailem

jssailem

SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
Oct 22, 2014
23,145
CAL 35 Cruiser #21 moored EVERETT WA
There would be no need for a card if you were born before 1896... Could RI be on to something?
 
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