T&T: Mandatory boater education

[Roger Bingham]

The UK is, I suppose, as over-regulated as anywhere else.

As far as boating is concerned we have a mixed bag.

Taxes are paid on new boats.

There is no legal mandatory requirement for recreational/ leisure boats to
be registered.

They may be registered on Part I (big deal, expensive, multi-page
application - usually insisted upon if vessel subject to marine mortgage.
Establishes legal title.
Or
Part III Small Ships Register (SSR). Easy, cheap #10.00 postal or on-line
application. Lasts 5 years - Display SSR number on vessel - does not prove
legal title.

No operator licensing require and training is on a voluntary basis. Courses
and qualification standards through Royal Yachting Association (RYA)

A ships licence is required for VHF, SSB, Radar, EPIRBS, PLBs etc

A Certificate of Competence is required to operate VHF & SSB radio
equipment.

Going to mainland Europe requires the production of all of the above plus
certificates of competence in boat handling (ICC)

We are opposed to compulsory vessel registration knowing that it would lead
to operator licensing and taxation (as per USA).

Voluntary training through RYA courses is very popular and undertaken by all
serious, responsible boaters.
Insurance companies provide good motivation for obtaining these
qualifications.

We still have our fair share of idiots, incompetents and ignoramus - read
about some of them in Marine Accident Investigation Bureau

http://www.maib.gov.uk/publications/safety_digests.cfm


Most of Europe has compulsory vessel registration; licensing and limits on
distance allowed from safe refuge etc etc

Ugh! No Thank You!

Regards

Roger Bingham
France