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State Safe Boating Course

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/11/2014 : 07:28:46

On another thread, I asked about state mandated boater safety training and certification.

For all Forum users and members:
1. Does your state require a mandatory safety course and license for boats with engines (sail or power)?
2. If so, do you think it helps prevent tragedy?
3. If your state does not require one, if it were proposed by lawmakers would you be in favor of it?

Edited by - on

pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2014 : 07:40:33

NJ does require a safety course. The marine division of the State Police issues a boating safety certificate at the completion of the course.

While I HOPE that this course helps prevent tragedy, I'm not aware of actual studies done to quantify. The course was pretty basic and focused heavily on motor boats and PWCs. I would imagine if everyone learned the one thing I remember from the course (having never ridden a PWC) - namely, you cannot turn a PWC without using the throttle - then the number of PWC collisions would have to decrease.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2014 : 08:14:25

In TN, anyone born after 1/1/1989 who wants to operate a motorized vessel over 8.5 hp must pass a TN approved boater safety course and carry a certificate to that effect. Certificates are issued by the TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency). Persons born before 1/1/1989 may voluntarily take the course. It is offered online.
Persons under 12 years old who wish to operate a vessel over 8.5 hp must have an adult at least 18 years old onboard to supervise. Those over 12 operating the vessel alone must have the certificate. Persons under the age of 16 may not rent a PWC.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2014 : 09:39:13

[quote]Originally posted by OLarryR

Since I berth and sail my boat in the upper Potomac north of the Wilson Bridge, I fall under the Washington, DC jurisdiction and DC requires boat registration and proof of having taken a safety boating course. While I had a certificate from taking a power squadron safety and navigation course many years ago, I decided to take a DC Safe Boating Course (which was at least back in 2005) a free course offered by the DC Harbor Police - 4 sessions (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Once you passed the exam, they then snapped a photo and provided you with a Boaters Safety ID Card.

I feel that a safety course should be mandatory. Without a safety course, anyone buying a boat can just go out there and do what they want ignorant of the rules governing boater safety. While there are still some out there on the water that create unsafe conditions, requiring a mandatory safety course is at least a minimal requirement oftentimes requiring no renewal. One could argue that there are many auto accidents each day despite requirements to take a written and driving auto drivers tests but again these are minimal requirements to inform all of the safety rules. If not taking a boaters saferty course, then how do you expect motorboaters to know that a sailboat has in many instances the right of way, that there are buoys that sometimes indicate no wake zones and that there may be even more stringent requirements than for autos regarding the drinking of alcohol while operating a boat.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2014 : 13:19:23

No, this is Kansas. If the governor did not want fees we wouldn't even register them... we have no titles.
Actually we do require juveniles to take a course if they are going to use watercraft without an adult... on paper.
Our boat density is so low it really is not worth the cost of the bureaucracy.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
Master Marine Consultant

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2272 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2014 : 20:34:56

I believe that Pennsylvania now requires online boater ed (or certified in-classroom if you prefer) for everyone. There used to be a "grandfathered" age limit, but I think they got rid of that.

I think that the biggest benefit it has had is to limit the impulse rentals of waverunners by teenagers. Having to sit for a 3 hour training before renting puts a real damper on those who just want to mess around. The least responsible people generally don't have the patience to do the training, so they can't rent.

I know that on Lake Wallenpaupack, the effect of the law was immediately apparent. Waverunner traffic went down noticeably the first year the law was in effect. And the rental places went out of business, which is a shame (but not too much of a shame). Traffic has gradually picked back up again as the ownership of these things has increased. And some people still do dumb stuff, but it's nothing compared the way it used to be.

Edited by - TakeFive on 07/12/2014 20:35:13

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2014 : 22:27:39

I can see the logic in KS. PWC traffic and ridership has changed in CT since the certification was enacted. I also canoe and kayak and I've never had a problem with riders of PWCs.
Funny you should mention knowing about rules of the road and buoys/aids to navigation. I always scan VHF traffic when I'm out and the number 1 "holler" on the radio is "someone creating a wake in a no-wake zone" and folks fishing in a tight channel. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Where we have ferries, some sailors believe they have right of way when the big boat comes around. The law of tonnage and a louder horn generally settles that argument in a hurry.
Edit: I'm always surprised how many people either don't run their VHF on ch16 or don't know how to use it. I guess that balances out the motor-mouths on 68, 69, etc!

Edited by - Voyager on 07/12/2014 22:32:54

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2014 : 22:46:40

Ohio has it with a born after date for > 9.9hp. After watching a fiasco in the marina this weekend involving an adult with a new boat, it can't hurt. It seems he was sold a what looked like a McGregor with no suggestion of instruction. He was just told to lock the rudder in the up position and steer with the outboard in close quarters. Unfortunately, he was sold a 6 hp, standard shaft motor. The engine was mounted directly in the cutout and could only rotate about 3 inches in either direction until the tiller hit. He bounced off a couple of boats while drifting, completely out of control, down the fairway until rescued. Leaving the next day was a similar misadventure until someone got their dingy and towed them out.

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2014 : 05:24:21

http://myfwc.com/boating/regulations/" ]Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission" target="_blank">Florida: [url=" http://myfwc.com/boating/regulations/" ]Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Updated Boating Safety Education Requirements
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

The following operators are exempt:
<ul><li>A person licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel.</li>
<li>A person operating on a private lake or pond.</li>
<li>An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is least 18 years old and possesses the required Boating Safety Education Identification Card, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel.</li>
<li>An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is exempt from the educational requirements, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel.</li>
<li>A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state.</li>
<li>A person who is operating a vessel within 90 days after the purchase of that vessel, provided they have available for inspection aboard that vessel, a bill of sale meeting all the requirements as established in Chapter 328.46(1), Florida Statutes.</li>
<li>A person operating a vessel within 90 days after completing an approved boating safety course, as required in Chapter 327.395(1), and has a photographic I.D. and a boater education course completion certificate showing proof of having completed the required boating safety education course. The course completion certificate must provide the student's first and last name, date of birth, and the date the course was successfully completed. (Effective Oct. 1, 2011.)</li></ul>

(I used the Image Search feature to find that image

)

Paul

Edit:[url="http://nasbla.org"]NASBLA http://www.boat-ed.com/ For National Boaters Ed.

Edited by - britinusa on 07/13/2014 05:30:58

dasreboot
Admiral

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804 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2014 : 08:48:55

I dont think they go far enough. after my experience last night (detailed in new post) , I think maybe everyone should go through some kind of yachtmaster's course. Might just be the anger talking

Edited by - on

pfduffy
Captain

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USA
317 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2014 : 13:53:16

I may need to go over my course materials, because I'm reasonably certain that I don't recall the part about operating a PWC at full throttle while riding backwards sitting on the handlebar. I witnessed this on the Barnegat Bay on friday.

Edited by - on

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