On Tue, 16 Nov 2004 16:12:02 GMT, "Gordon" wrote:

Washington state wants to institute a revamped law to require boating
drivers licenses. To those in states who have such laws, what are the pros
and cons of your system and does it prevent accidents etc or is it just
another red tape gizmo to collect money for the state?
Thanks in advance

About 11 years ago, a PWC/Boat accident on the CT river in Haddam
resulted in the legislature over reacting and passing the "Water
Vehicle Safety Act" or something like that requiring a Safe Boating
Certificate - basically a license.

As usual in this state, the system is totally furbared. If you own a
PWC and a boat, you have to take one class to a combination
certificate, if you only own a PWC you have to have a PWC certificate
or only own a boat you have to have a boating certificate.

The best part is that the syllabus for all three state approved
courses are identical.

The state only accepts USCG, USPS and a couple of other "certificates"
as a substitute for the state course. Oddly enough, those
certificates are good for both PWC and Boat certificates, but not the
state course.

You couldn't make up a dumber, lameass system if you tried.

Does it work improving safety?

Maybe. The PWC operators I see are just as arrogant and stupid as
ever, the boaters are just as stupid and arrogant as ever so I guess
not. I know it hasn't decreased the accident rate any.

Later,

Tom