"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
Please excuse my ignorance in posing this question. As a UK sailor of many
years experience in racing and cruising yachts, I am curious to know,
since
the subject rarely turns up, whether our US cousins have a similar series
of
qualifications to those administered in the UK by the Royal Yachting
Association (Yachmaster, at various levels).

I am not extolling the virtues of such "official"qualifications, indeed
many
UK sailors think they are less than useful, just curious to know if such
training and examination facilities exist in the US, as the subject never
seems to be discussed in this NG.

Dennis.



As I understand it, the UKRYA and the ASA (American Sailing Assoc.) are
similar in that they both publish guidelines and "standardized" test for
various level of expertise. The training and testing is then conducted by
private contractors or in some cases the US Coast Guard Aux.
It is also my understanding, at least this side, that the only thing really
required to sail a pleasure craft (not for profit) is cash!

BF wrote:
"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
Please excuse my ignorance in posing this question. As a UK sailor
of many years experience in racing and cruising yachts, I am curious
to know, since
the subject rarely turns up, whether our US cousins have a similar
series of
qualifications to those administered in the UK by the Royal Yachting
Association (Yachmaster, at various levels).

I am not extolling the virtues of such "official"qualifications,
indeed many
UK sailors think they are less than useful, just curious to know if
such training and examination facilities exist in the US, as the
subject never seems to be discussed in this NG.

Dennis.



As I understand it, the UKRYA and the ASA (American Sailing Assoc.)
are similar in that they both publish guidelines and "standardized"
test for various level of expertise. The training and testing is then
conducted by private contractors or in some cases the US Coast Guard
Aux.
It is also my understanding, at least this side, that the only thing
really required to sail a pleasure craft (not for profit) is cash!

I used to think that too, but most of the crews who sail with the big boat
owners seem to have very little of that commodity, but they still enjoy the
sailing!

DP

"BF" wrote in message
...
"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
Please excuse my ignorance in posing this question. As a UK sailor of
many
years experience in racing and cruising yachts, I am curious to know,
since
the subject rarely turns up, whether our US cousins have a similar series
of
qualifications to those administered in the UK by the Royal Yachting
Association (Yachmaster, at various levels).

I am not extolling the virtues of such "official"qualifications, indeed
many
UK sailors think they are less than useful, just curious to know if such
training and examination facilities exist in the US, as the subject never
seems to be discussed in this NG.

Dennis.



As I understand it, the UKRYA and the ASA (American Sailing Assoc.) are
similar in that they both publish guidelines and "standardized" test for
various level of expertise. The training and testing is then conducted by
private contractors or in some cases the US Coast Guard Aux.
It is also my understanding, at least this side, that the only thing
really required to sail a pleasure craft (not for profit) is cash!



USSailing does as well, although neither USSailing nor ASA are as rigorous
as the YRA. Several programs offer YRA training in the US. It is
significantly more expensive than the regular certifications. I've
encountered lots of people who have one of the US-based programs. Many are
good or even great sailors. I've encountered several people who have the YRA
training. IMHO they are typically equal to or better sailors, especially for
the kind of conditions we find on the left coast.

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

"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
Please excuse my ignorance in posing this question. As a UK sailor of many
years experience in racing and cruising yachts, I am curious to know,
since
the subject rarely turns up, whether our US cousins have a similar series
of
qualifications to those administered in the UK by the Royal Yachting
Association (Yachmaster, at various levels).

I am not extolling the virtues of such "official"qualifications, indeed
many
UK sailors think they are less than useful, just curious to know if such
training and examination facilities exist in the US, as the subject never
seems to be discussed in this NG.

Dennis.



You Brits have America beat hands down. Just look at some of the training
available in your country:

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2008/02/...-the-martinis/

Our Coast Guard/Navy is too busy dealing with Islamophobic paranoia and
incompetent boaters. There should be strict licensing of anyone who takes to
US waters and with that licensing should be rigorous training and
qualification. Currently, licenses are passed out too freely and the
taxpayer bears the brunt of the expenses.

Phil Abuster wrote:
"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
Please excuse my ignorance in posing this question. As a UK sailor
of many years experience in racing and cruising yachts, I am curious
to know, since
the subject rarely turns up, whether our US cousins have a similar
series of
qualifications to those administered in the UK by the Royal Yachting
Association (Yachmaster, at various levels).

I am not extolling the virtues of such "official"qualifications,
indeed many
UK sailors think they are less than useful, just curious to know if
such training and examination facilities exist in the US, as the
subject never seems to be discussed in this NG.

Dennis.



You Brits have America beat hands down. Just look at some of the
training available in your country:


http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2008/02/...-the-martinis/

Our Coast Guard/Navy is too busy dealing with Islamophobic paranoia
and incompetent boaters. There should be strict licensing of anyone
who takes to US waters and with that licensing should be rigorous
training and qualification. Currently, licenses are passed out too
freely and the taxpayer bears the brunt of the expenses.

That's an interesting comment. In mainland Europe they seem to require what
is laughingly called a "International Certificate of Competence" to enter
some countries. However such certificates seem all too easy to obtain, as
with your "licenses". Possession of one or other grade of the RYA
Yachtmaster qualifications would grant automatic entitlement to a
Certificate of Competence, but there seems to be an extraordinary amount of
red tape involved in applying.

Meanwhile, boats sail in and out of the continental marinas without too much
interference, so maybe the ICC is just another of those pieces of Brussels
legislation which is virtually impossible to police.

DP

"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
Phil Abuster wrote:
"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
Please excuse my ignorance in posing this question. As a UK sailor
of many years experience in racing and cruising yachts, I am curious
to know, since
the subject rarely turns up, whether our US cousins have a similar
series of
qualifications to those administered in the UK by the Royal Yachting
Association (Yachmaster, at various levels).

I am not extolling the virtues of such "official"qualifications,
indeed many
UK sailors think they are less than useful, just curious to know if
such training and examination facilities exist in the US, as the
subject never seems to be discussed in this NG.

Dennis.



You Brits have America beat hands down. Just look at some of the
training available in your country:


http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2008/02/...-the-martinis/

Our Coast Guard/Navy is too busy dealing with Islamophobic paranoia
and incompetent boaters. There should be strict licensing of anyone
who takes to US waters and with that licensing should be rigorous
training and qualification. Currently, licenses are passed out too
freely and the taxpayer bears the brunt of the expenses.

That's an interesting comment. In mainland Europe they seem to require
what
is laughingly called a "International Certificate of Competence" to enter
some countries. However such certificates seem all too easy to obtain, as
with your "licenses". Possession of one or other grade of the RYA
Yachtmaster qualifications would grant automatic entitlement to a
Certificate of Competence, but there seems to be an extraordinary amount
of
red tape involved in applying.

Meanwhile, boats sail in and out of the continental marinas without too
much
interference, so maybe the ICC is just another of those pieces of Brussels
legislation which is virtually impossible to police.

DP


======================

From what I read, witness on the tv news, the Islamo Facists will be running
the European countries soon.
Do you think those nice ignorant, cave dwelling, barbarians are going to let
you go out SAILING?

You folks are doomed, and you brought this on yourself with your stupid,
socialist, policies.

While you were driving folks out of their boats with taxes and licenses;
the barbarians have been multiplying
like oversexed rabbits. These religious freaks will soon tell you "nope,
can't go sailing, sorry, oh and now we
will cut your head off".

What is the license going to do for you then? Are you going to say "you
can't cut my head off, I have a license
to sail"?

Wake up ...

On Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:44:02 +0000, Sir Thomas of Cannondale wrote:

a bit more stridently than usual...(sorry if an attempt at sarcasm/humour
evaded me)

calm yourself young man -whatever your age- the sky is not falling, the
cup _is_ half-full, winter is almost over...

fresh winds!

"Phil Abuster" wrote in message
...

"Dennis Pogson" wrote in message
...
Please excuse my ignorance in posing this question. As a UK sailor of
many
years experience in racing and cruising yachts, I am curious to know,
since
the subject rarely turns up, whether our US cousins have a similar series
of
qualifications to those administered in the UK by the Royal Yachting
Association (Yachmaster, at various levels).

I am not extolling the virtues of such "official"qualifications, indeed
many
UK sailors think they are less than useful, just curious to know if such
training and examination facilities exist in the US, as the subject never
seems to be discussed in this NG.

Dennis.



You Brits have America beat hands down. Just look at some of the training
available in your country:

http://blogs.wsj.com/wealth/2008/02/...-the-martinis/

Our Coast Guard/Navy is too busy dealing with Islamophobic paranoia and
incompetent boaters. There should be strict licensing of anyone who takes
to US waters and with that licensing should be rigorous training and
qualification. Currently, licenses are passed out too freely and the
taxpayer bears the brunt of the expenses.

=========================

Here we go again :::: Licenses?
li·cense (lº"s.ns) n. 1.a. Official or legal permission to do or own a
specified thing. b. Proof of permission granted, usually in the form of a
document, card, plate, or tag.

Why are you so quick to give up your constitutional right of FREEDOM? Do
you think the license

requirement is for safety? YOu are dumber than a stump.. it is TAXATION,
pure and simple.

Where does all the boat registration money go? Boater education? Not up
here.. it goes in the

pocket of Mr Politician, the fat asshole who gets the big fat paycheck and
the big fat retirement.



Benjamin Franklin
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security, deserve
neither liberty or security"

"Sir Thomas of Cannondale" wrote in message
news:6GUxj.2$Td2.0@trndny08...
=========================

Here we go again :::: Licenses?
li·cense (lº"s.ns) n. 1.a. Official or legal permission to do or own a
specified thing. b. Proof of permission granted, usually in the form of a
document, card, plate, or tag.

Why are you so quick to give up your constitutional right of FREEDOM? Do
you think the license

requirement is for safety? YOu are dumber than a stump.. it is TAXATION,
pure and simple.

I understand your argument. However, the point you are missing is that the
waters of the US are in the public domain. If a stretch of water was
privately owned, then gov't meddling should be forbidden. The roads are
public conveyances and licenses are needed to drive upon them. Air pilots
needs licenses and strict testing, so do planes. Same with radio operators.
Planes can fall out of the sky and boats can sink. Why are boaters given
such latitude (pun)? Most boating accidents occur because of lack of
training and accountability. Licenses are not taxation, fees are not taxes.
Just as geese fly over state borders and can be regulated by the Feds, water
travels in the form of currents between varying jurisdictions and the feds
would do well to be the over riding authority for boaters. It's already that
way for commercial carraige operations, just extend it a bit and tighten up
the qualifications. This is simply of matter of regulation with results, the
result being weeding out the foolish and incompetent and making boating
safer and more enjoyable for those who have earned the right to operate
water vessels upon the waters of these United States. For the case of inland
waters, it is up to the individual states to regulate boaters.



Where does all the boat registration money go? Boater education? Not up
here.. it goes in the

pocket of Mr Politician, the fat asshole who gets the big fat paycheck and
the big fat retirement.

In many states it funds the recreation depts. Those depts are self funding.
Boater education is best handled privately as it is now. The only change is
the education will be mandatory and more rigorous.Right now the cost that
boaters impose is spread upon all taxpayers - especially when you consider
the cost of policing, rescues, etc. Boaters should pay their own way, also
insurance should be mandatory.







Benjamin Franklin
"They who would give up an essential liberty for temporary security,
deserve neither liberty or security"

If the sense of the question is "are qualifications required for
pleasure-boat operators?" then the short answer is "no". The USCG
administers tests for licenses that are required for carrying
passengers for hire, and many professional yacht skipers hold such
licenses.

Michael Porter


"Dennis Pogson" wrote:

Please excuse my ignorance in posing this question. As a UK sailor of many
years experience in racing and cruising yachts, I am curious to know, since
the subject rarely turns up, whether our US cousins have a similar series of
qualifications to those administered in the UK by the Royal Yachting
Association (Yachmaster, at various levels).

I am not extolling the virtues of such "official"qualifications, indeed many
UK sailors think they are less than useful, just curious to know if such
training and examination facilities exist in the US, as the subject never
seems to be discussed in this NG.

Dennis.

Michael Porter Marine Design
mporter at mp-marine dot com
www.mp-marine.com

--
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