Is a Boating Certificate REALLY necessary?

no-engine · 04-24-2010, 07:36 AM

"This seems to me to be the same question as for a car driver's license. To operate a car in NH you are required to have a valid driver's license from a recognized authority. There are fines for driving without a license. The chances of a random stop are slim. If you screw up and get caught not having a license makes everything worse. Yet very few play the no car license game. People go and get their car license, putting in the time and money to take written and road tests and, in some cases, required driver education classes. Why should boating be any different? In many ways operating a boat is much more difficult than a car. I think the training requirements should be much more than they are, including a hands on training and on-the-water exam. You should be allowed to do it in your home state and have it transfer just like a car license does. Why do people resist this common sense requirement? Because it's inconvenient? Fine, go somewhere else and boat. "

I was reading and going to say pretty much what is quoted above.
GET A LIFE. Drive, hunt, fish, etc. with an appropriate license; be a plumber, electrician, explosive technician, cosmetologist, etc. with certification. NOW BOAT WITH THE PROPER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATE.
If not possible, boat as a guest with a friend or do not operate the boat!

I rarely see the respect for other boaters on an inland water, as I was taught when a kid on coastal waters!

04-24-2010, 07:36 AM	#17
no-engine Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: West side Winnipesaukee, Lakes Region Posts: 516 Thanks: 20 Thanked 52 Times in 40 Posts	"This seems to me to be the same question as for a car driver's license. To operate a car in NH you are required to have a valid driver's license from a recognized authority. There are fines for driving without a license. The chances of a random stop are slim. If you screw up and get caught not having a license makes everything worse. Yet very few play the no car license game. People go and get their car license, putting in the time and money to take written and road tests and, in some cases, required driver education classes. Why should boating be any different? In many ways operating a boat is much more difficult than a car. I think the training requirements should be much more than they are, including a hands on training and on-the-water exam. You should be allowed to do it in your home state and have it transfer just like a car license does. Why do people resist this common sense requirement? Because it's inconvenient? Fine, go somewhere else and boat. " I was reading and going to say pretty much what is quoted above. GET A LIFE. Drive, hunt, fish, etc. with an appropriate license; be a plumber, electrician, explosive technician, cosmetologist, etc. with certification. NOW BOAT WITH THE PROPER EDUCATION AND CERTIFICATE. If not possible, boat as a guest with a friend or do not operate the boat! I rarely see the respect for other boaters on an inland water, as I was taught when a kid on coastal waters!