What about the 200 other guys who use the same line, but are simply
BS'n?
The enforcement officer won't really know who's on the level.

I guess the real point here is that if all he has to do is carry his current
documents in the boat, he should be able to bring those same documents in,
to get the ID card. He should probably still pay the testing fee, but that
should be it.

I agree with Tom, it's just silly.

--Mike

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 27, 4:17?pm, Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
One of my good friends just retired from the Merchant Marine after
twenty years as Captain of various tanker and super tanker vessels.

Since he retired, he purchased a boat (50 foot Hatteras convertible)
and went to see the DEP about getting the required Boating Operation
Certificate. He took all his Master's documents down to DEP HQ in
Lyme, CT and was refused - he has to take a boating course.

So I looked it up. As silly as this is, here is the official
statement on previous experience.

13 - I have a valid Coast Guard Operating License. Do I need the Safe
Boating Certificate to operate my boat?

If you have a current master, mate, or pilot license issued through
the Coast Guard, you do not need the Connecticut Safe Boating
Certificate to operate your boat. You must keep the valid license with
you at all times. You cannot use the valid Coast Guard License to
obtain your Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate. You would have to
take a boating course or provide us with proof that you have taken an
approved boating course to obtain a safe boating certificate.

Now I ask you - does that seem even reasonable? He doesn't want to
keep his documents with him at all times - not when a small, wallet
sized card is available from the state.

Freakin' unbelivable.

The CT law gives him a choice: He can carry his mater's certificate
with him or sit the exam and carry a card. He's exempt from carrying a
card as long as he carries his certificate. Sounds like the choice he
wants to make is "neither".

The law recognizes that as a master mariner he needn't demonstrate his
basic competency to operate a boat. Fine. But here's the problem;
suppose he gets stopped for inspection?

"Trust me officer, I really am a licensed master, unlimited tonnage,
and I don't need to carry a state card. Prove it? Why should I have to
prove it? Shouldn't my word be sufficient?"

What about the 200 other guys who use the same line, but are simply
BS'n?
The enforcement officer won't really know who's on the level.

Earning the merchant document exempts him from complying with the law
requiring him to take the test, but only if he carries the document
instead of a card.

Doesn't seem entirely unreasonable to me.