I just returned from the local coffee shop where I ran into a Federal
high level bureaucrat who mentioned it to me off hand as part of the
conversation about my boating plans for the summer.

Chuck posted that deal last week about transponders for small craft as
the next great issue facing boaters?

Apparently, Homeland Security is dead serious about the proposal as
well as requiring a personal document, such as a photo id/license for
ALL boaters - not just those with higher powered boats or high speed
boats. At the moment, the proposal only affects areas where there are
high security concerns - like New London Harbor for example, or for
boat transiting areas of security concern - eventually it will reach
every boater in some way or fashion. The cost of the transponders
will, of course, be paid for by the boaters.