"Jim Smith" wrote in message
. ..
I was just reading a post and a survey concerning the licensing of boaters
in some states. The state I am in at present has no requirement for
licensing to operate a boat, but as I understand it, 31 states do.
I am curious about what the thoughts are of the people who frequent this
board. Do licenses reduce accidents and save lives? Or are they just
another
beaurucratic paper job to extract more money and provide more jobs for
government workers?
I look forward to hearing your replies.


Relatively few boating accidents, only about 4% of the total, involve
sailboats compared to the number involving power boats and personal
watercraft. The vast majority of boating accidents are caused by operator
error, recklessness and alcohol impairment. Roughly four-fifths of all
boating accidents occured with boats in which the operator had no boating
safety education. In states where mandatory boating education is necessary
to obtain a required boaters license, overall accident rates and boating
fatalities have gone down significantly.