Boating Accidents down in 2013

[TiltonBB]

Originally Posted by Seaplane Pilot

They can spin and sugar coat it any way they want, but the fact remains that substantially less boat volume results in less accidents/incidents. On the other hand, I'd like to see what percentage of the accidents that they did record were caused by rental boats. You know, those people that are given the on-site "quiz" by the same guy that's renting the boat to someone? That same guy that will lose out on his $400.00 revenue if he flunks the person taking the test for not knowing the first thing about driving a boat, boating rules, or most importantly SAFETY.

They might as well implement the same policy for renting a plane at Laconia Airport. Take the quiz, jump in and take off.

Well, the lake did just fine for the 100 or so years before the "test" and education were a requirement.

But: The onsite "quiz" (test) is by computer online with the state so the "guy that's renting the boat to someone" does not choose to pass or fail the individual, the state does. And, the Marine Patrol does random spot checks of the testing facility to ensure that the rules are being followed. And, the person operating the testing facility must take a state course to be certified to administer the test.

But: Didn't most of us start out without knowing a thing about driving a boat, boating rules or boating safety?

Most boating accidents continue to prove that no matter how many times the government tries you can't legislate common sense!

And, because you mentioned it: I had to take David Emerson at Laconia Airport for a ride in one of his airplanes before he would allow me to rent them!