Licensing

[conachair]

Originally Posted by cfarrar

The real question is whether unlicensed sailors pose a threat to others,

Worth having a look at the system in the UK. No legal requirement whatsoever for any kind of training. You can buy a 50'er and sail off around the world never having set foot on a boat before. But the level of training is high amongst recreational yachtsman, it's just not a legal requirement.

[goboatingnow]

I dont hold such cynicism about governments, they tend to mirror the people they represent. Often simplified tests are introduced to encourage certain groups etc, all these policies tend to emanate from a desire to do the right things, its often the one size fits all policy that struggles.

Many countries have introduced reasonable and widespread compulsory boat licenses, they seem to manage

dave

[cfarrar]

Dave,

I hear what you're saying, but honestly I am not a cynic. For the last 25 years I've been a school teacher, I've flown for a major airline, and I've been in the U.S. Navy. Working at "the tip of the spear" or "in the field" (ie, not in Washington, DC), I haven't made the rules, but I've implemented them and/or figured out how to make them work better. Many rules exist for good reasons, but they always cost money, time, and personal freedom. So before we adopt compulsory licensing we should determine whether it's justified, whether it's worth the cost, and whether it's the best solution to the "problem." If we decide to go ahead with licensing, then other countries' experience should be helpful, as you suggest!

[Seahunter]

Originally Posted by cfarrar

Calif: You make some moderate, reasonable points. Of course, I hope not to adopt Singapore's laws wholesale, as tempting as it might be to cane teenagers for spitting in public!

Whether or not you're impressed at the CT boater's license is mute. If you boat in New England waters you'll need one or a reciprical state license. If not you'll be walking home.
From the CT boater regs:
"To legally operate of a personal watercraft, regardless of state
residency, you must possess a Certificate of Personal Watercraft
Operation to operate on Connecticut waters."
"15-140e Illegal operation of boat without a certificate or operators license 120.00"
"The Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate and the Certificate
of Personal Watercraft Operation are accepted in many states.
Connecticut recognizes certificates from New York, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island and New Hampshire for use upon our waters."
"Documented vessels and vessels numbered by another state,
which are moored, docked or operated more than 60 days in
Connecticut in any calendar year, must obtain a Connecticut
Certificate of Decal from DMV and display a current Connecticut
validation decal (but not a Connecticut registration number)
on both sides of the bow. In addition, the owner must acquire
a Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate and/or a Connecticut
Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation in order to operate
the vessel on Connecticut waters."

I think they've got it figured out.

Seriously, the question is not whether we can institute a workable licensing program, or whether "old salts" can get over their pride. Neither is the question how much it costs to rescue sailboats, since by that argument we should also license skiing, swimming, back country packing, obesity, etc, etc.

I was pi$$ed when my wife and I had to hand over the hundred bucks as well as getting our certifications notarized for the CT license as we have over 80 years of combined experience. _ _ it happens; get over it.

Driving and aviation licenses are a good idea because of the immediate danger posed to others as you navigate large machines at speeds between 60 and 600 miles per hour. Moreover, the safety record for automobiles and aircraft was dismal in the days before licensing. I can see a parallel argument for licensing high speed powerboats. For a sailboat travelling at 8mph the argument is less compelling. Yes, I understand that sailing is far from risk free. It's just that I don't see evidence of unlicensed sailors causing frequent and/or significant harm to others. In Maine we have no licensing requirement, yet boaters are reasonably competent and tend not to harm each other.

[Ex-Calif]

Originally Posted by Seahunter

Whether or not you're impressed at the CT boater's license is mute. If you boat in New England waters you'll need one or a reciprical state license. If not you'll be walking home.
From the CT boater regs:
"To legally operate of a personal watercraft, regardless of state
residency, you must possess a Certificate of Personal Watercraft
Operation to operate on Connecticut waters."
"15-140e Illegal operation of boat without a certificate or operators license 120.00"
"The Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate and the Certificate
of Personal Watercraft Operation are accepted in many states.
Connecticut recognizes certificates from New York, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island and New Hampshire for use upon our waters."
"Documented vessels and vessels numbered by another state,
which are moored, docked or operated more than 60 days in
Connecticut in any calendar year, must obtain a Connecticut
Certificate of Decal from DMV and display a current Connecticut
validation decal (but not a Connecticut registration number)
on both sides of the bow. In addition, the owner must acquire
a Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate and/or a Connecticut
Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation in order to operate
the vessel on Connecticut waters."

I think they've got it figured out.

I was pi$$ed when my wife and I had to hand over the hundred bucks as well as getting our certifications notarized for the CT license as we have over 80 years of combined experience. _ _ it happens; get over it.

I read that as you get 60 days gratis but IANAL...

[cfarrar]

If you boat in New England waters you'll need one or a reciprical state license.

Nope. Half of New England (the better half) is the state of Maine. No license required.

"you must possess a Certificate of Personal Watercraft
Operation to operate on Connecticut waters."

Wrong regulation. A "personal watercraft" is a jetski.

It happens; get over it.

It hasn't "happened" in Maine. And even if it does, what's wrong with discussing the question of licensing, whether it should happen, and how it should happen? Isn't that the purpose of the thread? We don't need CF to look up state regulations.

[deckofficer]

Have I been out of the loop too long? What is all this discussion about a license to operate your "not for hire" pleasure boat? I've read most of this thread and don't know how or if it will effect me when I return to sailing. Will my open ocean, Unlimited Tonnage license (USCG) suffice for these pleasure boating regs?