"No more Pony" wrote in message ink.net...
In MD, it's not a license, it's a 'safe boating
certificate. It cannot be revoked.
it's an attempt to educate the boating public. It
is somewhat effective in that at least the hold
has been exposed to the basics.
S.

"Dave" wrote in message
...
: On Wed, 17 Nov 2004 00:55:42 GMT, "Ed C"
said:
:
: Did a license ever stop an accident on the
road?
:
: Prolly prevented a few. The reason for licensing
is so that the license can
: be revoked. So while the tests probably are
useless, the ability to revoke
: the license for, for example, boating under the
influence, can be
: meaningful.
:

I operate a private yacht charter business in Florida. I also have a
100 ton Masters License, and I have spent many years on the water,
watching people endanger themselves and everyone around them, simply
because they lack an understanding of some of the basic boating
concepts, such as the "rules of the road". It is commonly understood
that anyone having the financial wherewithal to buy a boat is
automatically a "boater". It is also commonly understood by the
professionals that getting in close proximity to one of these
"boaters" is a stroke of bad luck.
I don't know what would be covered in the licensing requirement in
your state, but if it at least provided SOME measure of intelligence
about how to operate safely, how to use a VHF radio, who has the
right of way under different circumstances, and the requirement to
avoid collisions, I would support it. If there is a way to control or
at least influence the amount of education/experience required to
obtain such a license, I would urge you to exercise such influence and
at least get a licensing requirement that makes sense.
Captain stan
Jaxcharter.com