RCE wrote:
"Larry Weiss" wrote in message
...

All that being said, forget about NASBLA* and licenses and certificates.
To go boating without basic formal education is just plain idiotic,
whether you have a "buddy" to show you the ropes or not. One of the
reasons boating is getting more scary and stressful is that too many
boaters think they know it all when they really don't. I hope you are not
one of them.

Did your "buddy" teach you how to tie a bowline? How to read a chart? How
to plot a course or determine your position on one? How about what the
laws are regarding PFD's? VDS's? Capacity and overloading? Did he teach
you about close quarter maneuvering? The "General Rule of
Responsibility"? Order of Priority? How about on board weather
forecasting? Using DSC? Proper ventilation for enclosed fuel tanks and
engine compartments? Did he show you all of the procedures for fueling
that would save you from a $25,000 fine or minimize the chance of you
blowing yourself and everyone else on the dock to bits? Did he teach you
about Variation vs Deviation? Mayday vs Pan-Pan vs Securite? Mo-A? etc
etc etc etc etc? Please don't be foolish about this. Take the damn
course!!




How the heck did the last 4 or 5 generations manage to go boating and still
manage to stick around long enough to produce us?

Eisboch


Seriously? Many didn't. But knowing the generation older than me that
is still alive, I would say they and their predecessors had a whole lot
more respect for good seamanship than many people today. Also, keep in
mind the Power Squadron has been teaching their boating courses for what
- 80 or 90 years or so? "Chapman's Piloting" is up to what - its 64th
edition? It not like safe boating courses just became available yesterday.

Larry Weiss
"...Ever After!"