Responsible

[Adelie]

Originally Posted by defjef

Boating is an unlicensed activity and you have to expect less than competent people running those boats.

That state of affairs may be drawing to a close, at least the licensing part.

When only a small percentage of the population participated the people involved tended to either police themselves better because the all knew each other or the stupid people killed themselves off doing dumb things.

As the participating population increased, communication technology made it increasingly easy to call for help and governmental rescue services proliferated a lot more stupidity occured.

I do not know all the details but boater training certification is now required in WA for some boaters, and I believe other states have enacted similar rules.

I am not for it but I see general licensing coming due to the expanding population and the increased expectation among the general population that rescue services will be available in emergencies and 'emergencies'.