USCG Commandant in favor of licensing

Kamper · 12-19-2006, 09:57 PM

I'm not agreeing with it, just passing it along...

http://www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=1181989

Regulatory Review
USCG leader supports licensing recreational boaters

Boating Industry
Tuesday December 19, 2006

WASHINGTON – U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen favors the creation of a licensing system for recreational boaters similar to the one which exists for motor vehicle driver’s licenses, Stateline.org reported in a story on its Web site this morning.

Allen said the potential for a terrorist attack launched from small boats means that states and the Coast Guard must cooperate better to watch who is on America’s waterways, although he doesn’t yet have details or formal recommendations for how a national permit system would work, Allen said he’d like to see boating licenses be similar to motor vehicle driver’s licenses, according to the story.

Allen told a meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Dec. 6 he expects resistance to his idea from state lawmakers who don’t want to deal with the cost and details of licensing, and from the boat-building and tourism industries, which don’t want to risk a drop in revenues, Stateline.org reported.

"I’m trying to stick my toe in the water and see if I get bit by a piranha," he was quoted as saying. "As good as we get at surveillance, as good as we get at patrolling and creating deterrence out there, sooner or later we’re going to have to come to grips with the fact that we need to know to a greater certainty who are operating boats out there, what boats are out there."

Chris Edmonston, director of boating safety for the Boat Owners Association of The United States, said BoatU.S. is not opposed to boater education, but does not favor a system similar to that used for drivers licenses, according to the story.

"Mandatory education is one thing,” Edmonston was quoted as saying. “We’re not opposed to having people take a course. But we wouldn’t want to see it turn into a license that could be restricted or taken away. Driving a car is considered a privilege conferred by the state, but boating is considered a right. It gets back to that 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' sort of thing."

ApS · 12-20-2006, 06:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamper

"...'Mandatory education is one thing,” Edmonston was quoted as saying. 'We’re not opposed to having people take a course. But we wouldn't’t want to see it turn into a license that could be restricted or taken away. Driving a car is considered a privilege conferred by the state, but boating is considered a right. It gets back to that 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' sort of thing.'"

Why shouldn't boaters be given a vision exam? Why shouldn't a license be revocable for cause? Or restricted for night use?

Mandatory education is fine as far as it goes but two nearby states, Connecticut and New Jersey, have seen their boating stats go back up!

Sorry, BoatUS, but I really like this Coast Guard idea.

LIforrelaxin · 12-20-2006, 10:19 AM

I am not a fan of licensing, but I think we are headed there. In my opinion what will really force the issue is not fear of terrorism though. It will be the insurance industry.....

Weirs guy · 12-20-2006, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

In my opinion what will really force the issue is not fear of terrorism though. It will be the insurance industry.....

Aren't they almost one in the same?

Kamper · 12-20-2006, 12:11 PM

This is possibly a synopsis of what the man said but I didnt see any boat-safety concerns raised by Commandant Allen. Just security issues.

Safety is why we have automobile driving licenses. They werent intended to serve as internal-passports. I believe the government can already determine who is boating in this country by registrations and the safety certification programs. I dont know how you can tell who is actually anywhere just through a license program though. LEOs would still have to stop people and ask the appropriate questions.

Personally I wish there were a non-commercial license program for boats based on size or engine power but the expense the states would incur may not be worth it. I'm sure such a proposal would soon become very complicated and cumbersome too, so it would not be high on my list of ballot priorities.

Pineedles · 12-20-2006, 07:58 PM

Being a "gun nut" I must warn you all that registration of your "boating license" is already compromised. They gut yur name, they gut yur number. Having a competency test for boating is no different than what we, who have qualified ourselves through testing as being capable of "packing heat" go through. Frankly, the test in NH for a boating license is more difficult to pass than the CT CCW (concealed carry weapon ) test. However, it is no guarantee that you will be a safe boater, but hopefully you will be a better CCW holder

. Having said that, I don't think the government is qualified to determine if anyone is a safe boat handler or gun handler. While were at it, I am not a supporter of the premise that it is a privilege to drive! If you pay taxes, then you own a part of the road. What part? The part your driving on. And don't get me started on skimming across the "Government's" lake! But I've revealed too much of my feelings, so take this and run with it.

Woodsy · 12-21-2006, 09:16 AM

I have a problem with a "separate boaters license".... however, if they added a classification to your existing license such as they do for motorcycles I have no problem with it. My NH drivers license has the OPR-MC rating. maybe OPR-MC-BT (Boat)

I do agree with PineNeedles that we are definitely getting closer and closer to Orwell's "Big Brother" government...

Woodsy

12-19-2006, 09:57 PM	#1
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	USCG Commandant in favor of licensing I'm not agreeing with it, just passing it along... http://www.boating-industry.com/output.cfm?id=1181989 Regulatory Review USCG leader supports licensing recreational boaters Boating Industry Tuesday December 19, 2006 WASHINGTON – U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen favors the creation of a licensing system for recreational boaters similar to the one which exists for motor vehicle driver’s licenses, Stateline.org reported in a story on its Web site this morning. Allen said the potential for a terrorist attack launched from small boats means that states and the Coast Guard must cooperate better to watch who is on America’s waterways, although he doesn’t yet have details or formal recommendations for how a national permit system would work, Allen said he’d like to see boating licenses be similar to motor vehicle driver’s licenses, according to the story. Allen told a meeting of the National Conference of State Legislatures on Dec. 6 he expects resistance to his idea from state lawmakers who don’t want to deal with the cost and details of licensing, and from the boat-building and tourism industries, which don’t want to risk a drop in revenues, Stateline.org reported. "I’m trying to stick my toe in the water and see if I get bit by a piranha," he was quoted as saying. "As good as we get at surveillance, as good as we get at patrolling and creating deterrence out there, sooner or later we’re going to have to come to grips with the fact that we need to know to a greater certainty who are operating boats out there, what boats are out there." Chris Edmonston, director of boating safety for the Boat Owners Association of The United States, said BoatU.S. is not opposed to boater education, but does not favor a system similar to that used for drivers licenses, according to the story. "Mandatory education is one thing,” Edmonston was quoted as saying. “We’re not opposed to having people take a course. But we wouldn’t want to see it turn into a license that could be restricted or taken away. Driving a car is considered a privilege conferred by the state, but boating is considered a right. It gets back to that 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' sort of thing."

12-20-2006, 10:19 AM	#3
LIforrelaxin Senior Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Texas, Lake Ray Hubbard and NH, Long Island Winnipesaukee Posts: 2,875 Thanks: 1,037 Thanked 892 Times in 524 Posts	I don't like it, but I am not a fan of licensing, but I think we are headed there. In my opinion what will really force the issue is not fear of terrorism though. It will be the insurance industry..... __________________ Life is about how much time you can spend relaxing... I do it on an island that isn't really an island.....

12-20-2006, 07:58 PM	#6
Pineedles Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Moultonborough & CT Posts: 2,545 Thanks: 1,072 Thanked 668 Times in 367 Posts	Registration and Licensing Being a "gun nut" I must warn you all that registration of your "boating license" is already compromised. They gut yur name, they gut yur number. Having a competency test for boating is no different than what we, who have qualified ourselves through testing as being capable of "packing heat" go through. Frankly, the test in NH for a boating license is more difficult to pass than the CT CCW (concealed carry weapon ) test. However, it is no guarantee that you will be a safe boater, but hopefully you will be a better CCW holder . Having said that, I don't think the government is qualified to determine if anyone is a safe boat handler or gun handler. While were at it, I am not a supporter of the premise that it is a privilege to drive! If you pay taxes, then you own a part of the road. What part? The part your driving on. And don't get me started on skimming across the "Government's" lake! But I've revealed too much of my feelings, so take this and run with it.

12-21-2006, 09:16 AM	#7
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,966 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	I have a problem with a "separate boaters license".... however, if they added a classification to your existing license such as they do for motorcycles I have no problem with it. My NH drivers license has the OPR-MC rating. maybe OPR-MC-BT (Boat) I do agree with PineNeedles that we are definitely getting closer and closer to Orwell's "Big Brother" government... Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.

12-20-2006, 12:11 PM	#5
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	This is possibly a synopsis of what the man said but I didnt see any boat-safety concerns raised by Commandant Allen. Just security issues. Safety is why we have automobile driving licenses. They werent intended to serve as internal-passports. I believe the government can already determine who is boating in this country by registrations and the safety certification programs. I dont know how you can tell who is actually anywhere just through a license program though. LEOs would still have to stop people and ask the appropriate questions. Personally I wish there were a non-commercial license program for boats based on size or engine power but the expense the states would incur may not be worth it. I'm sure such a proposal would soon become very complicated and cumbersome too, so it would not be high on my list of ballot priorities.