To be fair though, aviation is much more regulated. If, and I am not
saying it should be, but if, boating was as regulated as aviation there
would be very, very, few boating fatalities.

I disagree. Aviation tends to sort out the idiots a lot faster. Both by
the technical requirements of actually learning to get a plane into the air
and by being completely unforgiving in accidents. Neither's true of
boating. That said, requiring more (heck, any) qualifications could be seen
as a good thing for boating.

"Bill Kearney" wrote in message
t...
To be fair though, aviation is much more regulated. If, and I am not
saying it should be, but if, boating was as regulated as aviation there
would be very, very, few boating fatalities.

I disagree. Aviation tends to sort out the idiots a lot faster. Both by
the technical requirements of actually learning to get a plane into the
air
and by being completely unforgiving in accidents. Neither's true of
boating. That said, requiring more (heck, any) qualifications could be
seen
as a good thing for boating.


For years I was basically opposed to government agencies, state or federal,
imposing the requirement of a license or certification in order to operate a
boat. I've changed my mind. I think there should be state licensing with a
written test similar to getting a automobile driver's license.

Why did I change my mind, you ask?

Mrs. E. bought a boat.

Seriously, I think there should be a test and a certificate to operate
issued that could also be revoked.

RCE

"RCE" wrote in message
...

"Bill Kearney" wrote in message
t...
To be fair though, aviation is much more regulated. If, and I am not
saying it should be, but if, boating was as regulated as aviation there
would be very, very, few boating fatalities.

I disagree. Aviation tends to sort out the idiots a lot faster. Both by
the technical requirements of actually learning to get a plane into the
air
and by being completely unforgiving in accidents. Neither's true of
boating. That said, requiring more (heck, any) qualifications could be
seen
as a good thing for boating.

You got b**ls man.


For years I was basically opposed to government agencies, state or
federal, imposing the requirement of a license or certification in order
to operate a boat. I've changed my mind. I think there should be state
licensing with a written test similar to getting a automobile driver's
license.

Why did I change my mind, you ask?

Mrs. E. bought a boat.

Seriously, I think there should be a test and a certificate to operate
issued that could also be revoked.

RCE

"JIMinFL" wrote in message
ink.net...


You got b**ls man.


I am also still 380 miles from home.





For years I was basically opposed to government agencies, state or
federal, imposing the requirement of a license or certification in order
to operate a boat. I've changed my mind. I think there should be state
licensing with a written test similar to getting a automobile driver's
license.

Why did I change my mind, you ask?

Mrs. E. bought a boat.

Seriously, I think there should be a test and a certificate to operate
issued that could also be revoked.

RCE

"RCE" wrote in message
...

"JIMinFL" wrote in message
ink.net...


You got b**ls man.


I am also still 380 miles from home.


Yeah, but have you considered your general direction of travel? Time is not
on your side at this point.

"RCE" wrote in message

..... I've changed my mind. I think there should be state licensing with
a written test similar to getting a automobile driver's license.

Similar to auto licensing? You mean they should issue the boat operators
license to people with minimal, ineffective training, and no demonstrable
driving skills?

"John Gaquin" wrote in message
...

"RCE" wrote in message

..... I've changed my mind. I think there should be state licensing with
a written test similar to getting a automobile driver's license.

Similar to auto licensing? You mean they should issue the boat operators
license to people with minimal, ineffective training, and no demonstrable
driving skills?


It would be impractical to have a "driving" test and I would not support
that. But, I think you should at least pass a basic written test that
demonstrates a fundamental knowledge of safety, navigation, weather
recognition and general piloting rules.

RCE