T&T: Avoid Unnecessary Boardings

[Faure, Marin]

>...this is why i call the process a joke.   The fact that an
inexperienced boater will proudly receive a shiny new decal on his
UNSAFE vessel and assume the vessel is safe. isnt' that what the decal
says? that he passed a vessel SAFETY check ?

Aviation is governed by a set of rules (the FARs) that fill a bookshelf.
But the most important rule is the one that says that the
pilot-in-command is solely responsible for the safety of the airplane.
Not the FAA, not the air traffic controllers, not the government, not
the UN, the pilot-in-command.  The same thing applies to boating even
though there may not be a written rule that says so.

If a boater takes the attitude that is increasingly prevalent these
days---- my safety and well-being is someone else's responsibility---
then the opinion quoted at the top of this post is valid.  But a
responsible boater--- perhaps an endangered species these days---
realizes that they alone are responsible for the safety of their vessel.
The USCG lists the safety items that are required on each type of
vessel.  Anything else is a recommendation, an opinion, or advice.

The value of an Auxiliary courtesy inspection is that an experienced and
knowledgeable boater will look over your boat, and in addition to making
sure the required items are there, will offer advice on good safety
stuff  to have even though it isn't required.  It does NOT relieve a
boater of the responsibility to seek out and learn on their own what
makes good safety sense, and which additional items--- CO detectors,
high water alarms, etc.--- would be smart to have on board.

A courtesy exam is no more or less valuable than a dock conversation
with a friend who maybe knows more about boats and boating than you do.
"Okay, you've got all the required stuff but you might want to think
about installing this, this, and this, and here's why."  To a great
degree the value of a courtesy inspection rests with the experience and
attitude of the examiner.  I don't know if the Auxiliary has standards
or training for their courtesy examiners--- they should if they don't.
I know people in the Auxiliary who do a terrific and valuable job when
they do an inspection and I know people who shouldn't be doing them at
all.

A courtesy exam is a valuable service to new boaters and experienced
boaters alike IF it's conducted by someone who knows what they're
talking about.  A new boater will learn what additional things he or she
can do to make their boat safer-- not that this relieves them or the
responsibility for finding this out on their own.  And the experienced
boater may learn something to, or at least be reminded of things he
meant to do but "hasn't gotten around to yet."

But NOBODY should view an Auxiliary courtesy exam as an official
endorsement that their boat is safe.  It does not relieve the boater of
one iota of responsibility for the safety of their boat.  This is one
reason I am strongly in favor of requiring anyone who wants to operate a
boat to have the education and testing to qualify for a license to do
so.  I don't what to hear about "my God-given right" to operate a boat.
The same logic--- or lack of it--- can be applied to airplanes.  Anybody
here willing to go up in a plane with a pilot whose sole qualification
is that he could afford to buy the plane?  Planes and boats are equally
unforgiving, and in fact there are far more deaths and injuries caused
by ignorant or irresponsible boaters than are caused by ignorant or
irresponsible pilots.  I have met pilots who fit this description but
the very fact they had to take lessons and learn stuff and pass tests
vastly reduces the chances they'll get into trouble.  As long as this
country is willing to let a totally inexperienced, ignorant,
irresponsible person buy a 60' boat and just "head out," the USCG
Auxiliary and their exam program will remain of the few things that can
help remind boaters of the responsibilities we all have to accept.

______________________________
C. Marin Faure
GB36-403 "La Perouse"
Bellingham, Washington