Nikki Locke wrote:
Go to school to learn about tides, navigation, collision regulations,
etc. It is all important stuff you should know before ocean sailing.

I'm familiar with the Boston Community Sailing program... and if he
paid attention at all (assuming they haven't dramatically lowered
their standards in the few years since I've been up there) then he's
already got a working familiarity with the basics here.

Oh, good. I was not sure if he had sailed in proper tidal waters, or just
river/lake sailing.

I don't know what the regulations are in the US, but you will probably
need some paperwork - check with the Coastguard. You should be able to
find reasonably priced short courses to get the necessary certificates.


None needed. It may sounds strange, but here in the USA there is no
license needed to operate your own boat... the only qualification
needed is to be able to pay for it (or have a good enough credit
rating).

It is the same here in the UK. Oddly enough, though, you need a licence
to operate a marine VHF. Hopefully the Boston Community Sailing program
also covers basic VHF procedure? It's best to know how and when to use
the VHF, rather than get a dressing down from the Coastguard :-)

[Other excellent advice removed for brevity].

--
Nikki Locke, Trumphurst Ltd. PC & Unix consultancy & programming
nikki@remove the "no.spam.please." to replytrumphurst.com
http://www.trumphurst.com/

.... in the USA there is no
license needed to operate your own boat... the only qualification
needed is to be able to pay for it (or have a good enough credit
rating).

Nikki Locke wrote:
It is the same here in the UK. Oddly enough, though, you need a licence
to operate a marine VHF.

Thanks for telling us that... I had the impression that you needed a
skipper's licence over there, and most places in Europe.

There is always talk of mandatory licencing... a mixed blessing IMHO
because I hate paperwork and having bureaucrats looking over my
shoulder; OTOH it would be nice to have fewer morons driving around on
the water.


.... Hopefully the Boston Community Sailing program
also covers basic VHF procedure? It's best to know how and when to use
the VHF, rather than get a dressing down from the Coastguard :-)


That is good advice... IIRC they only cover it in the classroom, the
boats don't have radios.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King

wrote:
Nikki Locke wrote:
It is the same here in the UK. Oddly enough, though, you need a licence
to operate a marine VHF.

Thanks for telling us that... I had the impression that you needed a
skipper's licence over there, and most places in Europe.

Many places in Europe require an "International Certificate of Competence"
or local skippers licence, but not the UK.

--
Nikki Locke, Trumphurst Ltd. PC & Unix consultancy & programming
nikki@remove the "no.spam.please." to replytrumphurst.com
http://www.trumphurst.com/