Today I realized how slow the Florida Goverment is

[Morpheus]

Ok the year I bought my boat I also took the the US Coast Guard Aux safe boating course. A the course they told me I would receive something from the state for passing the course. This was back the end of 2007 when I took the course.

Fast forward to Jan 20, 2009: Today I received in the mail my Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card. :wow: :smt101

Good thing I didn't need it for anything good grief.

What's even funnier is "Expiration Date: LIFETIME" why bother put that on there. Secondly there is a ID # the text is white on a dark blue background and the number is printed in black. You can only read the number if held directly under a light bulb when I first looked at it I thought there was no number. :smt021

 

[Pseudomind]

Ok the year I bought my boat I also took the the US Coast Guard Aux safe boating course. A the course they told me I would receive something from the state for passing the course. This was back the end of 2007 when I took the course.

Fast forward to Jan 20, 2009: Today I received in the mail my Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card. :wow: :smt101

Good thing I didn't need it for anything good grief.

What's even funnier is "Expiration Date: LIFETIME" why bother put that on there. Secondly there is a ID # the text is white on a dark blue background and the number is printed in black. You can only read the number if held directly under a light bulb when I first looked at it I thought there was no number. :smt021

Gov'mint workers! Well after today it can only get better! :smt043 ROTFLMAO

 

[fwebster]

You have the precursor to a boat license in Florida. Those of us with "The Card" will be exempted from the testing process when it is enacted.........be glad you got it even if it took longer than you expected.

 

[timinfla2]

You have the precursor to a boat license in Florida. Those of us with "The Card" will be exempted from the testing process when it is enacted.........be glad you got it even if it took longer than you expected.

Is there still time to take the course in order to get exempted?

 

[Pseudomind]

Is there still time to take the course in order to get exempted?

I am pretty sure this the same course

I would recommend you actually read through the chapters, before taking it though.

Pass the test, send in your money, print out your temp certificate, and then wait a few weeks for the card.

 

[papogator24]

I did mine through the internet too. The card was processed pretty fast.

 

[Morpheus]

I'd recommend skipping just taking the test online and go listen to some of these USCGA guys give the class, their experience alone will give you more then what you need to "just pass the test".

 

[fwebster]

My opinion is just the opposite if I follow your reasoning.

The self study course is extremely well done. It isn't something a state hack coughed up. You really have to understand the subject matter to pass the test. Since it is a self directed course, there is no schedule so you can take your time, study the rules of the road, state laws, etc. and thoroughly understand them before taking the test. Mine was multiple choice and each question had one stupid answer, and 3 answers that were either correct or so close to correct you had figure out why 2 of them were not right.

I can't argue that you won't learn a lot from some CG Aux members, but the Florida course will give you an excellent understanding of boating safety, the rules of the road and the state law.

Florida has not passed mandatory licensing yet but it is talked about in almost every session of congress. It is a matter of time before the need to raise tax revenue from licensing and the number of registered boats makes it a necessity. My view is to get it over with since it is almost free and so easy.

 

[Pseudomind]

I agree with fwebster, there is a lot of information presented, an done can learn much from the different chapters. The course is not just a 'walk-in-the-park." One might find some way to perhaps cheat, but then who are they cheating?

I copied and printed the different chapters for my use and also took all practice exams, before taking the test.

I only wish more people who boat in Florida would take it. For proof, just get some active boating area and watch some of the boaters and PWC users.

:thumbsup:

 

[tmhudson2]

It might be an interesting question: Does your state have a boat operator license requirement? Are there bills proposed in your state legislatures to start a licensing program? Does it cover everyone, or is it being phased in over time? For instance, the law in Tennessee states that anyone born after January 1st 1989 must be licensed to operate a boat, whether it be a cruiser, skiboat, fishing boat, pontoon or PWC; canoes on unregulated waters are exempt. Our legislature could not find the political will to require everyone to be licensed, so they grandfathered in those who were adults at the time the law was passed; assuming the law is not changed in the future, eventually everyone will have to be licensed, but eventually is a long time.

There is a move afoot to require boat operator certification at the national level, to bring the U.S. in conformance with U.N. policy; it would be comparable to the International Certificate of Competency (ICC) now being issued and required across Europe, and have four levels -- Inshore, Coastal, Advanced Coastal and Offshore.

Going back to licensing at the state level, I wonder how licensing reciprocity will work. Now all states recognize drivers licenses issued by other states. But if a boater from Kentucky 18 years old boats in Tennessee, must he have a license even if Kentucky doesn't issue boating licenses? If I, age 57, being from Tennessee where I'm not required to be licensed, boat in a state which requires all operators resident in their state to be licensed, will I have to have a license to boat there, even for a short stay? If Florida passes a licensing bill covering all boaters, will I have to get a Florida license?

Some adults who are of an age that they don't have to be licensed in Tennessee are nevertheless taking the licensing exam just so they can get the certificate to show their insurance agent to get a discount on their premium. It's less expensive and takes less time that a Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary course for that purpose.

Normally I'm not a fan of new regulations, but the Boat Operator Certificate could solve a few interstate boating issues and might make our waters a little safer.