William R. Watt wrote:
In Canada all power boat operators must pass a test and be licenced.
This sopnds like something which can be included on such a test. The
operator of a powerboat boat is responsible for the safety of its
occupants?

I've long thought that we should require every boat owner to provide
proof having taken--and passed--a boating safety course...and not just
some 20 question test on the 'net, but a REAL course... to be able to
register a boat. No new gov't agency...no licensing...just proof of
comptency to get a "license tag" for it. It would require the
cooperation of every state...but I'd bet the insurance industry would
back it.

Btw...Canada has the best "drunk boating" law on the planet--at least of
any that I'm aware of. No alcohol consumption at all, even at anchor,
on any boat that doesn't have sleeping accomodations. That ensures that
anyone who does drink away from the dock has to stay there long enough
to sleep it off. I wish the US would adopt the same law.

Otoh...am I the only person to figure out that man is the only species
on the planet determined--no, dedicated!--to making sure that the
weakest of our species survives to produce new generations of their gene
pool?
--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://69.20.93.241/store/customer/p...40&cat=&page=1

Peggie says:

snip common sense

Otoh...am I the only person to figure out that man is the only species
on the planet determined--no, dedicated!--to making sure that the
weakest of our species survives to produce new generations of their gene
pool?

I don't think it's Mankind as such, Peggie - I think it's just governments with
nothing else to do but sit and make laws ;-)

Steve

Stephen Baker wrote:

I don't think it's Mankind as such, Peggie - I think it's just governments with
nothing else to do but sit and make laws ;-)

Most laws are a result of pressure on lawmakers from special interest
groups who have an agenda. If boat builders are forced to eliminate swim
platforms and transom cockpit seating or make hugely expensive
modifications to gasoline engines to reduce CO danger, it won't be
because government lackeys dreamed up the idea all by themselves...it
will be because lawmakers are pressured into it by boat owners who've
killed or disabled their own children through their own stupidity.

--
Peggie
----------
Peggie Hall
Specializing in marine sanitation since 1987
Author "Get Rid of Boat Odors - A Guide To Marine Sanitation Systems and
Other Sources of Aggravation and Odor"
http://69.20.93.241/store/customer/p...40&cat=&page=1

On Wed, 25 Aug 2004 01:32:38 GMT, Peggie Hall
wrote:

Btw...Canada has the best "drunk boating" law on the planet--at least of
any that I'm aware of. No alcohol consumption at all, even at anchor,
on any boat that doesn't have sleeping accomodations. That ensures that
anyone who does drink away from the dock has to stay there long enough
to sleep it off. I wish the US would adopt the same law.

Basically, I don't drink...ever...while underway, whether working
sheets or tiller. It doesn't occur to me, just as drinking while
driving or spinning plates or threading needles doesn't occur to me
G

I will allow drinking underway for anyone I don't deem crew...i.e.
"ballast" a.k.a. "honoured guests". G

When docked, I relax. When anchored, I watch my intake closely, and at
least one other member of the crew must watch also, because while I
don't stand "anchor watches" per se, I make sure no one responsible is
so hammered that they can't react if we drag in the night.

Local forecasts are helpful in this regard...G