Boat Operator Card

[markvan]

Just curious as to the format of the boat operators cards in other parts of the world, are they fairly standard. I was at a local boat show a few weeks ago with a friend who has never operated a boat and only been on one a few times in his life. He decided that he would take the exam for his boat operators card as he has been looking at buying a new boat. He got 6 wrong which is a pass (i think you are allowed 9 wrong)<br /><br />knowing him i would not let him operate canoe, yet alone a power boat, curious to hear others opinions on the Boat Operators Card. personally i think its a joke and a cash grab.

 

[mattttt25]

Re: Boat Operator Card

it's state to state here. we really don't have boat operator training requirements, it's more of a boating safety training requirement. with that said, since most requirements are new laws, older people are grandfathered (which i think is crap). in maryland, anyone born after 1972 needs a safety training certificate.<br /><br />we will probably never see an operator license like a car. too many variables- what type of boat do you use, what are the testing procedures, etc. it's a simple reality that it's much harder to kill someone on the water from driving a boat than on land with a car, which explains it.<br /><br />not to say i don't wish we could get some sort of trainign requirement. i just don't know how it would be accomplished.<br /><br />i do think boating safety should be a federal issue, and that all boat operators, regardless of age and location, should need to sit through a class and pass a test.

 

[markvan]

Re: Boat Operator Card

we don not have a grandfather clause in Canada, they want money form everyone. I agree there should be something more formal, spend a few hours watching people launch their boats....a large number of them should not even be towing a boat, let alone driving it.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Boat Operator Card

It's not like it's very expensive. Less than $50 and you can take it online if you want or don't have the time to go take a course (or study). And none of that money ever goes to the CG - what you're charged is just to pay for the course or administer the exam. So it is not, to use a hackneyed phrase, a tax grab.<br />By the way, since the course provider issues the card and keeps records of who has taken the exam, I strongly suggest you use a trusted company. If you ever loose your card you'll have to go to them rather than the CG for a new one.<br />I've got to get my one this year for sure. I agree that the exam can be pretty basic but I think they did that so people wouldn't complain. As it stands, non-compliance is a real problem and if the course was at all difficult you know it would be worse. I also think that's why they applied it to small boat operators first and left larger vessels for 2009.<br /><br />Now Flares vs. Strobes - that's something I can get worked up about!

 

[RatFish]

Re: Boat Operator Card

New Jersey Boat License = Cash Grab. Money is not even used in support of boating!<br /><br />New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate = A good thing but not required in all circumstances. Requires completion of an approved boating safety course (i.e. United States Power Squadron). Certificate is free from the state. You have to pay for the course.

 

[SeaJayacas]

Re: Boat Operator Card

In New York the politicians must be asleep at the switch because they haven't instituted this money grab yet. But this week is still young and the fiscal year 2006 budget is not yet final so who knows.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Boat Operator Card

Walleye W I am in complete agreement. The whole concept is a farse. Anyone with half a brain and NO experience what-so-ever can obtain the card. That card legally allows the person to operate a boat (up to what size I'm not sure) even thought they may have never stepped foot in one before. The only conditions attached are related to operator age vs hp. My 13 yr old son can legally operate my 14ft 40hp boat that does 35MPH. Not going to happen until I see that he is competant and experience "behind the wheel". Would you hand over the car keys to your 16 yr old child that has had NO driving experience ? At the VERY least you should be required to take and pass a power squadron course. IMO it is a half-@ssed attempt at regulating the ever increasing number of boaters but is completely ineffective in its implementation.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Boat Operator Card

One other point that seems to be over-looked: this applies to everyone in our country, children and adults. What's been going on in your crowded lake up in Ontario isn't the same as what's been going on in my harbour. Boater numbers seem to be decreasing here to me, so do regulations that would help your lake apply to me?<br />Would you take away some poor kid's outboard up in Labrador because it would be dangerous for him to operate it on your lake in some particular brand of boat? Of course not. Federal regulations have to consider that sort of thing.

 

[markvan]

Re: Boat Operator Card

Bang on RobC - its a farse...<br /><br />Paul Moir - how does this regulation help anyone on any lake, lets face it a drunk monkey could pass the exam, so why bother giving one. also late time i checked you could only write the exam online if an approved supervisor was watching you take the test.

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Boat Operator Card

Yeah, you're probably right. We probably needed somthing but the implementation is terrible.<br /><br />Friggin' cold has my brain misfiring anyway. Oughn't be voicing rash opinions. <br /><br />The way I understood it, almost any Joe can become a supervisor for the outfit (neighbor, friend, whatever), and that's how they got around it.

 

[JB]

Re: Boat Operator Card

"Certifying" someone to operate a boat safely with a written test is a joke in my opinion.<br /><br />You might just as well certify a unicycle rider with a written test.

 

[markvan]

Re: Boat Operator Card

No problem Paul I think we all agree that some sort of test similar to a drivers test for a vehicle would be more alone the path it needs to go, but a written test that you can continue writting until you pass and then pay for is not making the waters any safer.

 

[Moody Blue]

Re: Boat Operator Card

What I see happening more and more are the weekend warriors that put their boats in the water a couple times a year. They have no clue about launch ramp etiquite, or common courtesy on the water let alone rules and regulations. They ride around the lake completely oblivious to anyone else around them.<br /><br />I believe the whole licensing thing here started as an attempt to control the seadoo riders. Every year here in southern Ontario several people were being killed, and they were typically under 16yrs old. The intent is well meaning but the implementation and enforcement is as I said earlier - a farse. I don't know how it is justified ? Where does the money go ? Certainly the government must have their hand in there somewhere. There are certainly many "accredited" testing companies out there. Must be money in it.<br /><br />I guess the question is how could the licensing system be improved ? What about people that travel from other locations ?

 

[Paul Moir]

Re: Boat Operator Card

Visitors get a "Get out of Jail Free" pass. They're exempt for 45 consecutive days if they bring their own boat. Rental places must have them fill out a saftey checklist, and there's other things for specific situations.<br />The money is for the course providers. I'll bet those internet ones are laughing all the way to the bank. Last time I looked it was $50, now I see you can take one for $30. There may be a minimum limit but I don't know for sure. I guess they (really, we) take their [GH]ST though eh?<br />I think some sort of graduated program would be best. You know, no card for 7.5KW and under, basic (kids stuff, like we have already) exam for 30KW, and then a real saftey course for larger. I also think you're right RodC that this was cobbled together to counter some of the hysteria about PWCs. Too bad they couldn't lobby as well as the snowmobilers or 4-wheelers huh?

 

[chrisg]

Re: Boat Operator Card

Ha, I remember when they introduced that!. I escaped. ( but still looking for that lake they say my cabin is on).<br /><br />Its the same as when the Gouge and - Screw- Tax (GST) was introduced. Any way the Govermnent can get money, they will ( also, you probably have to pay GST on that licence also)......<br /><br />OK, I'll get off my soap box and continue my search for that lake.... found something, Nope, that was just an ear of corn......