Many states are starting to require licenses and/or boat safety courses to
operate a boat.
I hope more states jump on the bandwagon, and make the test harder to pass.


"Bryan" wrote in message
. com...

"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 23 Oct 2005 18:56:11 -0400, " *JimH*" wrote:

A sailboat under power cuts in front of a ferry and is T-boned.

http://www.spikedhumor.com/articles/...t_T_Boned.html


Bizarre, to say the least. Sailboats only have the right of way when
they are under sail. This is just one idiot motorboat with masts
cutting in front of a another really big motorboat.... the only
extenuating circumstance might be of the sailboat catastrophically
becoming "not under command." Otherwise, this captain was the nautical
equivalent of a lemming.Condolences go to any passengers.

As a formally trained sailor I became extremely aware of so much that I
didn't know and would never know except through accidental encounters with
information. There are so many sailboat skippers who incorrectly think
they have the right of way while under sail no matter what. And
powerboaters, no let's make that even better, jet skiers and powerboaters,
who's only qualification to be on the water is the credit line that
allowed them to buy the ride.

It would be great if everyone had to demonstrate knowledge of the basic
rules of the road and basic safety points before being allowed to operate
a vessel. The only problem with that idea is that no one wants more
regulation!