Proposed Boating License Requirement

[logadmin]

Here is a story from a recent newsletter I received. There is a lot of talk about this at the state and national levels. What do you all think???

From TradeOnly Today (http://www.tradeonlytoday.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=&nm=&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=798C97DD484047CCBAB779D3CF898FC2)

Issue Date: 5/29/2007, Posted On: 5/29/2007

Industry leader questions proposed licensing requirements
The Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Coast Guard are preparing for a National Small Vessel Security Summit, which will take place June 19 to 20.



Proposals to license boat owners or require them to outfit their vessels with expensive electronic tracking gear have been discussed in recent months. The proposals are in response to the October 2000 attack on the USS Cole in which a small inflatable vessel laden with explosive attacked the U.S. Navy destroyer in the Middle East port of Aden.



“Recreational boaters want to be part of a comprehensive solution to this threat, but any new requirements must be measured in terms of both effectiveness and efficiency,” Michael Sciulla, BoatU.S. senior vice president for public affairs, said in a statement.



“Requiring millions of recreational boat owners to be licensed and tasking the already overburdened Coast Guard with implementing a duplicative system solely to identify everyone operating every type of boat will be costly to develop, take years to implement and will not result in a demonstrable improvement in national security,” he said.



Scuilla says recreational boaters can be the “eyes and ears” of the waterway. He also says clearly marked security zones will ensure that boaters know where they can and cannot go.

[HisDoghouse]

First off, I already hold a USCG License. I'm a 1,600 Ton Master on Oceans, and a Chief Mate, Any Gross Tons on Oceans. So whatever gets instituted, it will not affect me. Also, I am a (currently expired) Motorcycle Safety Foundation Rider Coach.

Here in Virginia, they are enacting a boat operators license, being phased in over a number of years. The reactions are mixed, with many feeling that it is another means for the government to obtain income while it does little to nothing to enhance safety. Requiring motor vehicle drivers to have a license may have done some to make the roads safe, but there are still plenty of accidents due to operator stupidity. I have seen it with the motorcycle rider courses I've taught. The sailors and Marines that take the required course because they just got back from a deployment and bought a huge, fast crotch rocket can't wait to get done so they can RIDE. My fear is the same will happen for boaters - an operators license will be obtained after some degree of mandatory instruction and/or testing, and that license will be periodically renewed at some not yet determined cost.

Some stupid operators will do what is needed to get the license, and then do what they want once they get on the road (or water). Others will take what they learned and apply it to how they operate their vehicle or vessel in a safe manner. But IMHO, licensing will NOT improve safety on the water.

If the intent is some form of national identification to enhance security - how many forms of identification do we need? I personally have a state-issued driver's license, a USCG-issued Merchant Mariner's Document (Z-card), a Navy-issued retired military ID card, a DOD-issued Common Access Card (CAC Card with smart chip installed), a U.S. Government civilian passport, a Social Security Administration card, a command-issued ID card, and a company-issued ID card. Not to mention my medical insurance card, my AAA card, my Honda Riders of America card, etc. etc.

I say if an individual has a state-issued or a federally-issued form of identification, that person is identified. I for one don't think that requiring some poor shmuck to get another ID so that any one of the MANY waterborne law enforcement agencies can look for their specific ID card will do anything to enhance security. Train those law enforcement folks in what acceptable forms of identification are, and have them verify via wireless computer access the validity of the ID and if there are any outstanding issues about the individual.

On the issue of electronic identification, isn't that what AIS is all about? Many of the smaller vessels out there don't have a VHF radio or GPS. Expecting them to be forced to shell out for an AIS transponder is absurd! I personally would like to have one because it is a safety issue when operating out where the big boys are. But requiring them to again enhance safety? NO WAY! During my Navy career, I have transited many chokepoints where the big ship and small boat traffic has overwhelmed my scope operators. Imagine what a display would look like with thousands of AIS "marks" moving around randomly. Talk about information overload.

However, if the goverment would make it beneficial for individuals to install AIS transponders (i.e. tax breaks of some sort), that would be fine by me.

I really hate doing stuff because it looks good, but has no real effect. Like some of the symbolic gestures that the TSA folks make us endure when flying. They are keeping the honest folks from doing things that they would never think of doing.

Thanks for letting me rant. I'd love to see some other comments.

Joe
His Doghouse Too
Luhrs 38 Open

[logadmin]

:goodpost:WOW... You brought up some interesting points. I think there should be somekind of training, but ANOTHER ID to keep track of us seems a little much.

[GAW0328]

Nh You Must Have A Nh Boaters License To Drive A Boat In Nh Waters.....they Have Had This Law For Three Years Now. I Am In Ma But Got A Nh Boaters Lic. So That I Was Covered.

[Maximillion]

I agree,

I think everyone should at least take a course in boat safety and rules of the road to familiarize themselves with boating. But to make someone get a lincense sounds like some agency is trying to get a little extra mony for thier department if you know what I mean.

I had 2 Jet Skis and always had my wallet on board in the storage compartment (waterproof of course:001_cool:) just in case one of the water cops came by to check. That was enough in Florida.

Just needed the registration and some form of ID.