Got your boating card yet?

[Nehalennia]

I just received in the mail a post card from WA state asking if I have my boating card yet.
WA state Boating
At first the hair always stands up on the back of my neck because I always feel another layer of Bureaucracy is what this state needs. :smt021
Reality is though that I hope this helps educate the many people that use the waters around here. Ok yeah it's $10, but it's a "lifetime Boater Education Card"

Boater safety Education bill

 

[Sundancer]

I got mine and feel the same way. I hate having to do it, but when I see the other folks that are new to boating and don't have a clue how to do anything, I think it's a good thing. Maybe it will reduce the number of bad boaters or jet skiers jumping into my boat? If it does, I'm all for it.

 

[Bridog]

NJ has a mandatory boating safety class now. I think it's great. Too many idiots out there.

 

[DuckBoater]

Wife and I got ours even before we got the boat and really wish that others had done the same! There are just so many idiots out there sometimes.
The one thing I need to check on is whether WA/OR have a reciprocity agreement or if I need to get one in each state?

 

[Skip]

It is a bit of a leap to assume that a boating class will de-idiot the average weekend boater. I guess a year or three from now the "gummint" will have some statistics to back up the utility of mandatory taxpayer funded boat safety classes.

regards
Skip

 

[Sundancer]

Wife and I got ours even before we got the boat and really wish that others had done the same! There are just so many idiots out there sometimes.
The one thing I need to check on is whether WA/OR have a reciprocity agreement or if I need to get one in each state?

I don't think you will have to worry. Washington State still wants your money! So come on up and go boating! :thumbsup: The jurisdiction is for boat owners registered within the state of Washington. No problem for folks outside our state.

 

[Dave M.]

It is a bit of a leap to assume that a boating class will de-idiot the average weekend boater. I guess a year or three from now the "gummint" will have some statistics to back up the utility of mandatory taxpayer funded boat safety classes.

regards
Skip

It is not a leap at all to assume that the totally uninformed will learn something of value from the class, and at least know that there are some rules they should follow. Better something than nothing, IMHO.

That said, I don't have mine yet. I have another year or two before I am required to, due to my 'advanced age'. The real issue for me is that my wife probably will never get one. And that makes it illegal for her to operate the boat when I want to go water skiing. :smt013

 

[comsnark]

I personally don't think you can educate away stupidity. . . .but it can't hurt.

Today I saw two boats pass within 10' of my anchored bow. One was a sailboat that had at least a 4' draft. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid.

 

[comsnark]

Oh. . .do you really need education to tell you that if you need to pass between a boat and a solid marker that are 40' apart. . .you don't do it on full plane?

That actually happened to me today. I was clearing a marker. . . .moving away from it. .. but was only about 50' from it. . .. and this YAHOO passes between me and the marker on full plane at 40mph plus.

 

[thunderbird1]

Got mine. I think its a great idea, particularly for new boaters. Don't worry Nehalennia, you'll pass the exam if you study for a few hours and the fee is low. I'm now working on my wife to get her card too.

 

[Dave M.]

A couple of days ago, I was out on the river enjoying a very nice day. Saw the water start to change, and some threatening clouds showing. It was getting late in the day, and I headed back to the dock in case a lightning storm appeared. Got back there, was a still before sunset. There were not boats at the dock, and I really did not want to pull out yet, so I decided to see if I could move my single engine boat sideways to port. Not much luck with that, so I back out from between the docks and pulled back in in the middle to practice turning in place. All went well with that, even though I was being watched by a couple on the shore.

Still did not want to leave. It looked like the couple might have gotten to park on a motorcycle, as it was near them. I called and asked them if they were interested in a short ride out onto the river, as it was now almost sundown. Down they came, and out we went. Turns out they really were on the bike, and they are from Germany. Here you may read about their adventure. If you struggle with German even more than I do, I will say that the trip is a dream they had in 1972, and after 35 years they are getting to do it. They came to Vancouver, BC, travelled north to Alaska, have been to Yellowstone, and are continuing on.

To keep this on topic, I will tell you that Wolfgang does have his license. He has licenses for both power boats and sailing boats, they are separate in Germany.

 

[Nehalennia]

Got mine. I think its a great idea, particularly for new boaters. Don't worry Nehalennia, you'll pass the exam if you study for a few hours and the fee is low. I'm now working on my wife to get her card too.

I'm not worried about passing. The gradient age scale is interesting. I don't HAVE TO HAVE MINE until 2012, but will get it and forget it over the winter.

 

[waterlogged]

Mandatory here in NH. As to the value of education, check out the 2006 USCG stats, http://www.uscgboating.org/statisti...PS or State mandated training. It does work.

 

[ken]

While any type of Boating education will help the novice, just remember, there are over 100 million drivers on the road who have a card ( license ) and about 50,000 die each year.
They need to practice what they learn.

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

though I am exempt (age has its advantages), I will probably donate the $10 to the state and get my certificate... I figure, if I have not gotten killed yet, I am probably OK driving a boat... especially with 23 years Navy and licenses out the ying yang since I was 13...

 

[Go Aweigh2452]

though I am exempt (age has its advantages), I will probably donate the $10 to the state and get my certificate... I figure, if I have not gotten killed yet, I am probably OK driving a boat... especially with 23 years Navy and licenses out the ying yang since I was 13...

 

[Presentation]

Mandatory here in NH. As to the value of education, check out the 2006 USCG stats,

http://www.uscgboating.org/statistics/accident_stats.htm]

Close to 90% of all fatalities involved operators who had no (or "informal") instruction. Only 10% involved operators who had USCG, USPS or State mandated training. It does work.[/url]

Since only 3.3% of boaters have taken the class you can see taking the class makes it 3 times more likely you will die boating. :thumbsup:



My issue is not with making you pass a test be a must, my issue is the test is not related to safe boating.

PS: I took the class and passed the test and have the card.

 

[Gogstad]

I have mine, although not required at certain ages in MD. Took the class before getting the boat.

We did see a fellow and girlfriend/wife on a jet ski in Annapolis Saturday that I am pretty sure did not have his, it went something like this...

jetski guy: (approached from behind at a high rate of speed making sizeable wake in no wake area near lots of boats) "excuse me, which way is the bay?" (slows to no wake speed)
me: "you're kidding, right?"
jetski guy: "it's this way, right?"
me: "right..."
jetski guy: "thanks..." (speeds off making sizeable wake again)

I am pretty sure asking directions "to the bay" while boating in Annapolis (the bay is really hard to miss here) indicates you don't have your card (or at the very least slept through the sections on navigation and speed limits) ....what does that comedian say, "here is your sign..."

Now I just need to get the wife to get hers so I can have some fun behind the boat