New boating law requirement

[Brian N.]

Back in 2013 Suffolk county in New York required all vessels powered (including sailboats with engines) to have a skipper with a valid "boating safety" course. The requirement was at first voluntary, then phased in according to age group and type of watercraft. I took the free Boat US course and proudly printed out my certificate. As of January this year a safety course became required for all craft and age groups. What I did not realize was the free course certificate was good for just 90 days. Just a moment ago I paid for my permanent card ($20 including a donation to Boat US). I'm not complaining, and think it is a good idea to require (at least on paper) some knowledge of safe boating practices plus regulations. However the updated course has a heavy focus on water skiing and PWC. My thinking would be to have a separate additional safety rider for these. Going even further, would it be beyond the county's jurisdiction to require an on water competency "road test"? I can definitely see lots of failures from what I have witnessed over the years. Your opinion?

[Riggerdood]

I found out just last weekend that apparently CA now has a similar requirement. Need to research that. And I can't say I disagree with the on water "road test".

[tjspiel]

I like the idea of a "road test" in theory but given the difficulty we had scheduling our kids' drivers license road tests due to lack of certified testers and locations, I think that's where it would fall apart.

Given the decline of sailing in general I'd be reluctant to create another barrier to entry. But it still might make sense for boats over a certain size/horsepower.

[Quantico Frank]

FYI, I requested a Coast Guard Auxiliary inspection several years ago and am still waiting for them to get back to me. Wonder if the road test will be different....

[Brian N.]

The second time I launched my boat the Bay Constable, was on the dock. He came over and said "You're new". I replied "No I'm 50 years old". He had a sense of humor and smiled, then asked permission to board and do a safety check. Very polite. He checked life vests, lights, flares, radio and such. At the time I also had a certificate of completion from a community sailing center. My second encounter was on the water, when the CG pulled up along side, and asked me to show them my life vests. Thumbs up and they were gone.

[pgandw]

An on-the-water test sounds good, but the devil is in the details. Who is going to do the testing? And who is going to certify those doing the testing? Does the testing have openings on weekends at the launch ramp? What about the weather on test day? A nice day does not equal ability to handle a boat in a storm.

Fred W
Mariner 19 #4133  Sweet P

[Riggerdood]

Brian, I found out today that CA has very similar requirements to NY. Apparently the card was initiated several years ago, and the age was increased every year until this year when it's all boaters. I also opted for the BoatUS course, and have found it to be quite informative so far. It's no 4-hour course though, if you really read and watch everything. I didn't see anything about a 90-day expiry on the certificate tho - will keep an eye out for that when I finish it.

[Brian N.]

Yeah - I did not realize until recently that the certificate had an expiration date. However I don't mind paying a modest fee to Boat US foundation for a permanent card.

An on water competency test would be ideal, but as pointed out, there would be just too many complicating factors. Also, a dedicated small powerboat owner should not have to demonstrate picking up a mooring under sail, and likewise a small sailboat skipper should not have to demonstrate the ability to dock a large yacht into a slip. However, there are many sailing and boating schools to teach those skills, and they have certificate programs.

[Krusen]

I am in favor of safety training, and have personally gone far beyond the minimum.  I have a Coast Guard 6 pack.  This allows me to carry up to 6 people in a power boat, for hire.  Unfortunately, it is not valid for sailboats, that is a separate course and test.