Howdy all…

Well, I know I have see some amazing things at the boat launch, on the road, and on the water. I am sure you all have as well, but here we go again, the state adding a regulation (tax income).

Now mind you I don’t have a problem with becoming educated about safety and laws, but what do they think this will accomplish? Will it reduce the number of accidents (maybe a few but remember they are accidents)? Will it limit people that are breaking the law (does it now)? Will it generate revenue for the state and boater safety schools (of course)?

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/fishing/2002090501_outn14.html

I think that it is funny… when are they going to pass a law that will require someone (old retired guy) that is buying a 30+ foot motor home (mini bus or full size bus) to pass a driving test or have a CDL to buy or operate it (especially when they add on towing a truck or boat behind it)? Then what about letting someone (18yr old) that has never rode a motorcycle, buying a crouch rocket to prove they can ride or have a license before they buy? Or… what about when they have a boating test for specific size boats? Don’t laugh… it could happen.

Anyway read and be (get) informed!



Tight lines and shoot straight!

I wonder if that will help when some cracker tries to dump his 20 foot Glasply in the Sky again

i think oregon has a requirement for a boaters safety card now

I'm sure there are boating accidents that I don't hear about.........but for the most part the accidents I do hear about.........involve driftboats!!!!!!!!

"worse day sport fishing, still better than the best day working"

On first brush it is hard to be against this proposal. However, I would like to see how the state is going to fund such a project. The state is broke. Buying materials, having the staffing to teach and administer this, and renting facilities to teach and certify all off the boaters in this state is an expensive proposition.

There is very little enforcement on the water now and Police Marine Patrol Budgets are strained to the limit every year.

Most of the problem is no doubt alcohol related. Without a reasonable level of enforcement and penalties similar to drinking and driving there is no deterence for people not to drink and drive a boat.

If the state is serious about reducing accidents on the water then provide the funding to do Drunken Boater Enforcement and make sure the penalties match those of driving a vehicle drunk, to include the administrative license suspensions.

If this comes to pass then you can bet it will be the result of pressure on our legislatures from boating safety groups. As is typical with the legislature they will pass the law with no funding, maybe try to pass it off to local authorities as an unfunded mandate and the law will be full of problems.

At anyrate, my 5 cents worth.

Lead thrower: I had a guy ask me if thought it was a good idea to launch his 26ft. bayliner in the upper rogue....Here's your sign!

MH

after reading the bill, it looks as though funding will be from the $10 fee that you pay to get your card once you have passed a course of instruction. The state will only establish the criteria for the course, not teach it. It is up to you to find a course that meets the criteria and pass the course, which may or may not cost you any money.
As for the reasoning behind the bill, I can only guess that they are talking with boating saftey group and the 30 plus states that already have boat operator permits in place. I am not sure if it will have a great impact on the number of knuckle heads out there and the stupid things they do, but it may give the law enforcement guys another tool to help control these people.
I have always thought that there should be some kind of required training before you were allowed on navigable waters just to help insure the saftey of other boaters. It is always interesting when you are coming in or out of a busy port or water way and everybody is following the rules of the road except 1 yahoo that keeps everyone guessing what he is going to do next.
Will this permit help?? I don't know. I don't see the state making a whole lot of money on it so I can't see it as a big revenue deal. Does it give the law enforcement guys any help? I don't know this either, maybe one of our local boys in blue could chime in. Is this something I would lose any sleep over? Not a wink. I would just go to the license place with my power squadron certificate, pay my $10 and be on my way.
By the way if you haven't taken a Power squadron or coast gaurd class, look into it. You may save some money on your boat insurance and maybe learn a thing or two, I know I did.

theres a guy running the Hump in a sled down on the lower river that testing should be mandatory for him...

pretty soon there will be a bill requiring Pfd's be worn, then helmets, then seatbelts.