T&T: New Jersey law and boating safety class requirement

[Jim Boyd]

I have to agree with Arlid.  I am a new boater.  I just purchased Lark in
Dec 2007.  Never even owned a rowboat.  When I saw that my dream of owning a
boat was beginning to finally be realized - panic set in.  It really looked
cool - boats sailing around on a nice sunny day - or docked next to a great
seafood restaurant - everyone on shore envying the boaters.  But I realized
that it just couldn't be that easy.  

I mentioned my concern about lack of boating knowledge and handling skills
to one of the many brokers I utilized in my search for the "right" boat and
he mentioned I should join the  US Power Squadron.  He got me a website
address and I found one close to home and joined.  Within 2 1/2 years I took
the "Basic Boating Course", Seamanship 101 and 102, Piloting and Advanced
Piloting.  All of this before buying a boat. Each of these courses took at
least 20 hours and required a proctored test.  I also took the Engine
Maintenance Course, VHS-DSC Radio Course and just last night my wife and I
took the Radar Course.  

For the life of me, I cannot understand why anyone who operates a boat (of
any type) would not go out of their way to get as much education about
boating as they can.

As a new boater I constantly watch other boaters as they dock, anchor or
just how they operate their boats in the hope that I may learn something.  I
am frequently surprised at the, ummm, unique methods utilized to attach a
line to a cleat.  Watching folks dock is better than Johnny Carson reruns
and their anchoring techniques are downright scary.  Radio protocol for many
boaters must have been learned from the early days of CB radio.  Rules of
the road are non-existent.

Yes, I am quite sure that most of these boaters could sail rings around me
as they have years of experience and I have very little but the point of
this longwinded response is that I would welcome mandatory training and
licensing of boat operators.  Then they will have experience and knowledge.

I have a feeling I will be flamed for posting this but at my age there are
few tail feathers left.


Jim Boyd
"Lark"
42 Californian LRC

-----Original Message-----
From: trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces at lists.samurai.com
[mailto:trawlers-and-trawlering-bounces at lists.samurai.com] On Behalf Of
2elnav at netbistro.com
Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2009 8:40 PM
To: Trawler and Trawlering
Subject: Re: T&T: New Jersey law and boating safety class requirement

What amazes me is why  knowledgable  and experienced boaters object to 
certifying competency in boat operating skills.

Is this a case of examophobia?