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Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
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Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
By Louis Gerlinger (The Log)
If approved, the provision could lead to mandatory licensing for boaters nationwide.
"WASHINGTON D.C. (LNS) - The Coast Guard has asked Congress for authority to establish a "proof of proficiency" requirement for recreational boaters - which, officials conceded, could lead to mandatory nationwide licensing for recreational boat operators.
A legislative change proposal, which was submitted by the Coast Guard's Office of Boating Safety, would amend Section 4302(a) of Title 46, United States Code, which gives the Secretary of Transportation authority to prescribe regulations, by adding subsection (4) which would read (The Secretary may prescribe regulations) "establishing minimum requirements for recreational vessel operator proficiency."
California presently doesn't have a mandatory education or licensing requirement for recreational boat operators."
A side note to this: 42 states currently have some requirement in terms of mandatory education. Most waive it if you already have a 6-pack or greater license. Some phase in based on age etc.
I think what the CG is proposing is some minimum level of "formal" education to make sure the recreational boater has some basic info under their belts before becoming hazards to navigation.
RE: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
Good idea, if it is thought out correctly. Could also provide funding w/ the proceeds for ramp improvement, etc. But alas, it would be a government function so all it will become is a way to pay more in addition to the already required registration fees, fishing licenses, property and fuel taxes to be able to boat...and likely be spent unwisely by the politicians in control.
However, if it does go through I would also recommend that it contains additional provisions for those who trailer a boat, requiring proficiency in backing and launching.
Re: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
Quote:
RI Builder - 5/14/2006 9:41 PM
Great idea - requiring a drivers license keeps all the idiots off the road - correct?
It helps some boaters need to pulled off the water , people who keep braking the law
(4 foot wake thru marna ) big fines or jail time we had a 53 footer come thru the marina 4 foot wake Cc & city cop did nothing had to be thretened with law sute to get him to pay for damage ! He should be in JAIL
RE: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
A few interesting statistics to consider: From the USCG 2004 Boating Accidents study of Reportable Accidents:
There were some fatalities where the reports did not indicate whether or not the skipper had any boating safety education. Of those where it is known what if any education the skipper had:
69.5% of fatalities involved an operator (skipper) who had NO boating safety education.
If one were to assume that ionly 50% of the "unknown" had no boating safety instruction (probably a conservative estimate), that value rises.
I think that makes a pretty good argument all by itself.
There are some other interesting and consistent findings as well which I am not addressing in this thread in order to keep it on topic.
Re: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
Please note also that nothing so far indicates mandatory "licensing", but rather mandatory "education" or some other proof of proficiency.
By and large, the education element is covered by a variety of non-profit organizations such as the Red Cross, USPS, USG Auxiliary, YMCA, etc. So I don't really see a looming "another way for the states to get into our pockets" issue here.
Some states may of course approach it differently of course.
__________________ Rich
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
Re: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
*points everyone towards their local USCG Aux. for a boater ed class*
it's fast, easy, and you can gain a veritable plethora (nice fancy word eh?)of knowledge not only about boating in general, but the PERSONAL knowledge from local captians and boaters that have many many years under their belt. How could this be seen as a bad thing?
Re: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
I agree with Tomcod...just another way to get some money and add another level of harassment to boating. As for FearNaut's thoughts...they'll have you pay the USCG Aux for the class, then pay the state for a license...then pay the state again to renew it...and repeat.
Re: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
Weird how taxes and money come into play when there are a bunch of statistics pointing towards safety.
Just my .02 (well, apparently .01) that safety should come ahead of money, especially when it's a minimum amount (maybe a $35 one time charge for a class?????).
Heck, stoplights and signs and such cost too much money, and come from tax dollars, some from the DMV. We should get rid of all licensing/registration costs altogether and just don't bother with the signs and stoplights. Survival of the fittest!
Re: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
Something has happened to the people in this country, it always has been that some people were proud of their actions and didn't want anyone to think bad of them, some didn't care and didn't care about what other people thought about how they acted. What happened, the percentages reversed, used to be like 80% cared-20% didn't now it's like 20% care-80% don't. If I had to draw the line I'd say it was between ages 40 and 45, younger is the don't care group, I call these the me-me people.
You can see this everyday, a good example here is the grocery store parking lot it's on a grade and if you don't put the carts in the corral they roll and hit whatever they hit, you guessed it, the carts are left by the me-me people, the older people put the carts away. I correct everyone I see not putting them in the corral, after I get done yelling at them (every cuss word that I can think of loud enough for all to hear) I'll put the cart away or bring it in myself. Same parking lot, once you walk thur the lot you have to cross the lanes in front of the store, there is a painted area for a crosswalk, Stop signs at either end, you guessed it, most of the me-me people don't even slow down. I correct them here too, one time I was crossing and an old lady was coming at me, crossing the other way, I was on a cane at the time and the older lady looked just able to get around, a young lady driving ran the Stop sign was going to have to stop or hit one of us, I got in front of her with my cane in the air like a baseball bat, I left the older lady cross and held the younger one up much longer than she would have been if she would have done the right thing in the first place. After that I helped the older lady load her car and I put her cart away myself. This same kind of behavior goes on, on the water too.
What we have is a social problem, it's lack of manners and a to hell with everyone else attitude, it can't be fixed with permits, certificates, or licenses but what else can be done. At least it is something that can be taken away for noncompliance to the rules.
Re: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
It is for the children! We will all be safer! Get in line, pay the man for the free info handed out every year by the boat sellers and sporting goods stores. It will stop ALL the idiots from driving boats...Honest! Then comes mando insurance and fees, state minimums and new jobs (to raise the education fees). Sure worked for cars and semi's, planes too for that matter. ( Disclaimer: The preceding was sarcasm.)
RE: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
Quote:
FishOn162 - 5/14/2006 11:01 AM
... Could also provide funding w/ the proceeds for ramp improvement, etc. But alas ... a government function ... will become is a way to pay more ... ...and likely be spent unwisely by the politicians in control.
...
In many states, including mine, almost all fees go into the general revenue and may not end up adding funding to the program generating the cash. I forget which state it was, but about 10 years ago one of the New England states had to get an emergency appropriation to continue issuing some type of permit because they had used all the stock they were authorised to buy.
If licensing is proposed in your state, pay close attention to where the money will actually go.
__________________ I'm not a boat expert, I just read THT!
Re: Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency'
Flyau,
Yes, you generally have to pay for the classes - usually just for materials (they do cost money to produce), including the certificate of completion (which is likely to be the only requirement).
So far as I know right now, no state is requiring a renewal of the license at this time - basically a one time thing. But let me repeat: "so far as I know right now" - I haven't really done a state by state review to see if that is an absolutely statement.
How much is your life (or that of your friends, family, visitors, etc.) worth?
The NASBLA model states is basically:
(1) Has successfully completed a course in safe boating that is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and certified by the state or passed an equivalency examination if the examination was proctored and tests the knowledge of information included in the curriculum of such a course; and has received a certificate as evidence of successful completion of the NASBLA-approved and state-certified course or passage of the equivalency examination.
It goes on to present a number of alternatives/exemptions for those that already have the equivalent or greater (i.e. 6-pack, 50 ton, etc.)
__________________ Rich
"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
Coast Guard Requests Authority to Require 'Proof of Proficiency' 
