On Oct 31, 9:13?am, wrote:
On Wed, 31 Oct 2007 07:17:12 -0700, Chuck Gould

wrote:
USA Today reports this morning that Homeland Security has ordered one
of its divisions, (the USCG) to define a plan to positively identify
boaters. The rationale is that small boats could be loaded with
explosives and used to
blow up military or commercial vessels, ala USS Cole. Until the USCG
presents its plan we don't know the details, but possible requirements
*could* include, at a minimum, carrying a national Boater ID card.
(Something the Administration seems to favor, based on its proposals
in several areas).

I don't know where USA Today got their information, but the USCG
proposal specifically REJECTS creation of any additional or special
ID. They adamantly DO NOT want one. The idea is that any photo ID such
as a drivers license or state issued ID in lieu of a drivers license
would be all that is needed.

In a speech made in December of 2006, Admiral Thad Allen, ranking
admiral in charge of the USCG, specifically proposed instituting a
"national license" for pleasure boaters. The USCG has since made some
PR-type statements disavowing that proposal.

One of the challenges is that under existing law, a USCG boarding
officer cannot ask anybody aboard the boat for identification, but
only for documents identifying the boat.

Some additional insight on this issue:

http://www.nationaldefensemagazine.o.../Gov.Lacks.htm