Just another money maker for a control freak liberal state. We have licensing here, essentially. Tidal waters require a certificate from a USCG approved safety course of about 8 hours class time and non tidal waters (basically one lake in the whole state, excepting a few very small lakes) require a license, which is just paying the state $20 each drivers license renewal and showing them proof of completing a safety class. Big money maker for the state and those connected with the state. No benefit that I can see.
Plenty of people on the water without a clue, same thrice a year types with expensive I/O and whole family in tow miracle they survive the weekend, basically plenty who have taken teh course and don't give a damn. Then there are countless guys on jet skis who are out all the time because anybody can scrounge up $500 to buy a beater ski, put it in the back of a $500 minivan, and drag it down the ramp. These types probably don't take the class to the tune of $100 or so, or do and just don't care. The classes are not hard, it's basic knowledge that anyone who grew up around boats knows or can figure out from 15 minutes with the state boating laws handbook. In the class I went to there were two guys who didn't speak english, sat through the 8 hour class, and were guided through to test to pass. They could be fine boaters and just don't know the language the class and test were in, or they could be the typical guys on jet skis using the public ramp as their personal dock all day long. No idea. Point is, the tests and classes are to line the State's pockets and the pockets of those who lobby the state.
What do you guys who advocate licensing and so forth want? An actual practical test on the water? That might work to weed out other types but it's as unenforceable as the current system. The river here is littered with coasties, state police, rangers, and CGA and clowns are out all the time, the authorities won't mess with those guys because they either don't have any money, often no papers so too much of a paint for the authorities. Mr. thrice a year is the money maker because he's legit but either drives like an idiot risking damage or injury to others or had a few too many by the end of the day. Payday right there. Beyond that testing would be ridiculous. Gonna test for a single engine trailer boat launch retrieve, docking I/O as well as inboard single engine boats? Gotta test twins as well. Better pass certain skills in a cruiser and a go fast too. Docking and launch retrieval should probably be tested in various conditions at least one test on still water and another on a windy day with some chop and boat wakes coming in. If not, it'll be as much a joke as it currently is, or as the tests for driving a car are. Motorcycle tests are kind of skill tests, but of course everyone just uses a scooter or light dual sport for the test then hops on their liter bike.
Biggest thing to make the water more pleasant and safe is expensive gas. When it was over $4 there were a lot less idiots on the water, but of course I don't want gas to go up a few bucks again. More government is not gonna improve things on the water IMO, just more of a pain and expense for the rest of us while the clowns keep on clowning around.
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