here they had (for a while) a tax stamp to sell weed! (it went away)Originally posted by Chief 100:<br />Next thing you know pony you're gonna need a permit to rob a bank, and take a class before you get in a high speed chase with the Feds. No thanks I'm already regulated to death. You may need feel the need to have everybody licensed, permitted and regulated, that's fine but don't impose your rules on me, as I have enough.
I just love listening to the VHF anymore. Sounds more like a bunch of truckers getting directions. They also don't have any hands on training as far as trailering/launching. It's just dangerous to watch some people. <br /><br />Seamanship is lost on most of todays boaters. The rest of us are just targets for the feable minded. Most boaters wouldn't know if they were in trouble if they were standing at the wheel in ankle deep water. Not a real stretch but I predict more people will die in boating accidents this year than ever before. Not including maritime accidents.
That is a Federal requirement and still exists. It was one of the first Federal attempts at drug policy. The catch is, you have to apply in person with the drugs in your possession, meaning you have to comit a series of Federal and state offenses on your way to comply with the law.....<br /><br />No one to my knowledge took the bait.
<br /><br />There is always room for more training, more knowledge, more education. But is licensing really something that is 1) necessary and 2) enforceable?<br /><br />Between boater registration fees, launch permits, fishing licenses, hunting fees, gas taxes, Recreation use permits, etc, I think the federal, state, and local boys and gals all have enough hands in my pocket.<br /><br />That and the fact that the idiots y'all have already described are the same idiots that will exhibit the same behavior whether they have a license or not - maybe be worse because now they have "the right" to act like an idiot - they have a license.<br /><br />Licensing brings with it more regs - illegal to be in boat without PFD's being worn at all times, illegal to smoke in your own boat, speed limits, illegal to take a leak over the side of your bass boat illegal to take a leak over the side of your bass boat get caught doing that and you'll have to register as a sex offender! 
This may be where different states are going to cause different ideas of enforcement. EE will know this, but the more populated lakes around here have a patrol boat on them constantly. Every time I have gone to Nagawicka for example (a popular ski lake) there is a patrol boat keeping an eye on things. I think my boat gets stopped at least once or twice a year by a DNR guy checking life preservers and fishing liscenses. It doesnt matter the lake either.....I have seen an been stopped on the more popular lakes and on small lakes up north where you can go a week without seeing more than 3 boats on it. Fact is if liscensing is madatory and you choose to ignore that, you take the risk of getting caught. If you go years and dont get caught then good for you, but if you do get caught then anty up..........<br /><br /><br />I agree enforcement is a big issue. After rethinking I do like Pointer's idea of taking a class if they commit a violation. I think bayman may have a great idea too. Making a test that if passed grants you a liscence and if you fail then you take the classes. That way the few kids out there who learn good safe boating from the elders aren;t forced to take the classes.<br /><br />This debate is sort of like the smoking in a restaurant argument. Each side makes valid points, and nothing either side says will sway anyones opinion. I just still think some sort of bar has to be set, whether that be the passing of a test to determine wether classes are needed or just mking people take classes if they commit a violation.<br /><br />Sure there are many many times boating that you barely encounter some of the maritime regulations like channel markers and such, but any life is worth saving. Lets not forget the whole reason for this debate in this state is because a kid was killed........
