In article .com,
wrote:
Well, I know that we non-stupid ones have campaigned
successfully for mandatory education and certification for pwc
operators, the results have been terrific (lower accident and injury
statistics in the states that have these laws now, and better-informed,
less-clueless newbies on the water, plus far fewer renters which
are the source of a a huge proportion of pwc problems)....and that
we also support and campaign for (less successfully so far) similar
requirements
for all other boaters as well for the same reasons.

It's really nice to know. Unfortunately, there are still a high
percentage of morons out there that continue to contribute to the
image of jet-skiers as clueless fools or dangerous assholes.

Keep at it though... keep at it.

So, where is the boat licensing requirement in effect - and don't you
think
it's a good idea? Seems like a no-brainer to me.

I have mixed feeling about requiring licensing for all boaters. On the
one hand, some people should not be on the water without some kind of
competency test. Typically, if you're going to charter out here, you
have to prove you can sail. But, that doesn't preclude people who buy a
boat, and go for it.

On the other hand, licensing per se, isn't the same as requiring some
level of competency. Licensing regs typically extract a fee as the
dominant feature, e.g., drivers licenses, don't really ensure
competent drivers.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com