On Oct 31, 11:50 am, wrote:
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 14:16:17 -0400, Gene Kearns





wrote:
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 12:13:36 -0400, penned the following
well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:

On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:17:12 -0700, Chuck Gould
wrote:

USA Today reports this morning that Homeland Security has ordered one
of its divisions, (the USCG) to define a plan to positively identify
boaters. The rationale is that small boats could be loaded with
explosives and used to
blow up military or commercial vessels, ala USS Cole. Until the USCG
presents its plan we don't know the details, but possible requirements
*could* include, at a minimum, carrying a national Boater ID card.
(Something the Administration seems to favor, based on its proposals
in several areas).

I don't know where USA Today got their information, but the USCG
proposal specifically REJECTS creation of any additional or special
ID. They adamantly DO NOT want one. The idea is that any photo ID such
as a drivers license or state issued ID in lieu of a drivers license
would be all that is needed.

Not so, Dana Goward, director of Coast Guard maritime domain
awareness, is "very concerned about people doing harm with small
vessels" and that it is "time to look at this other gap."

Adm. Thad Allen, commandant of the Coast Guard says, "... that the
issue needed extra attention." Allen is, also, in favor of
"requir[ing] boat operators to have a special license," because that
apparently has some magical power to allow us to "know to a degree of
certainty who are operating boats out there."

The USCG WRITTEN proposal specifically and emphaticaly rejects the
idea of a new, separate ID. They want to require that you carry a
drivers license or other similar ID.- Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -

I have been under the impression that the final and formal proposal
has yet to be presented. Where did you find a copy of the final
proposal?