Boater education courses
Mar 23, 2022 19:50:15 #
Seegundo
Loc: Lake s minole Georgia
I've come to the belief we need them. I recently lost a friend in Bainbridge Ga to a boating accident. You folds can look it up. It happened in a south Georgia rain storm. Two boat hot head on. The accident is under investigation.
I believe I've seen too many people who don't know the rules of navigation. They don't have a lake map. No clear idea of the lakes Hazards.
I see so many boats rigged poorly. Touch horsepower and too little. High powered boats without a hot foot. Too little trolling motor. Little or no safety equipment.
I believe I've seen too many people who don't know the rules of navigation. They don't have a lake map. No clear idea of the lakes Hazards.
I see so many boats rigged poorly. Touch horsepower and too little. High powered boats without a hot foot. Too little trolling motor. Little or no safety equipment.
Mar 23, 2022 20:22:08 #
EZ Fishing
Loc: College Ward, Utah
Seegundo wrote:
I've come to the belief we need them. I recently l... (show quote)
Sorry about you losing your friend. Hope the investigation turns up the reason for the accident and can involve better conduct or whatever it takes to make boaters safe. Thanks Seegundo
Mar 23, 2022 20:26:47 #
Seegundo
Loc: Lake s minole Georgia
Thanks for your condolences. The local bass clubs are trying to get a benefit tournament together.
Mar 23, 2022 20:42:00 #
Seegundo wrote:
I've come to the belief we need them. I recently l... (show quote)
I agree Seegundo, but there's a problem with modern "Boating Safety courses ". Up here they have become 1 day quicky courses, and everyone passes. It's just a money grab for the state. When I was a kid I took the US PowerSquadron course, 10hrs, over 5 days. When i was 30 I took the USCG Auxiliary course, 8hrs over 4 days. We actually learned something in both courses, and if you failed any lessons test, you had to repeat it. What passes for a course now is a joke.
I think with all the tax money derived from boating, enforcement should be the #1 priority. Anyone cited for a violation should either be fined heavily, or required to take a legitimate course. Any state that requires a Boating Safety Course, should require a REAL one, not the 3hr joke that passes for one now.
I'm very sorry for the loss of your friend.
Mar 23, 2022 20:42:59 #
I’m a firm believer in boater safety courses. I believe they should be mandatory they are in my state. Some boat insurance offers rebates and lower prices if you prove you’ve taken a boater safety course and passed the test. There’s a lot that can go wrong real fast out there on the water. A lot bad situations can be prevented and the course will help you do that, but some things just happen regardless and you need to be prepared and know how best to respond. We also need to lend a hand to less experienced boaters and offer advice in a gentle way as not to embarrass but educate. And I hate to say it cause no one likes a rat but if you see someone acting in a foolish and careless way , a reckless way, someone who’s putting others at risk , they need to be reported to the authorities right away.
Mar 23, 2022 20:43:13 #
Big dog
Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York
Seegundo wrote:
Thanks for your condolences. The local bass clubs are trying to get a benefit tournament together.
As a Coast Guard veteran and a life long boater and angler and someone that has known people that have died in boating accidents, I agree wholeheartedly. I feel boating is inherently more dangerous than simply driving a car, and I’m pretty sure that more people die per-capita in boating accidents than in car accidents.
Mar 23, 2022 21:18:40 #
Boating, hunting, ATVing, snowmobiling and anything else where potential life-threatening activities are involved should be certified as there is too much at risk and too much to lose!
Mar 23, 2022 22:34:31 #
CRKfish wrote:
I’m a firm believer in boater safety courses. I be... (show quote)
In the state of Washington, anyone born after 1955 are required to take the course and have the certificate in hand. I’ve been carded 3 times in the last two years. I tell them I don’t have one. And they commence to tell me that I’m required to have one and I say “nope” I’m to old to have one. And they get a chuckle out of that. I guess us old guys are just a little bit smarter than the average bear 🐻…
🐟onMar 23, 2022 22:51:31 #
Seegundo
Loc: Lake s minole Georgia
I'm beyond the age for a course in Florida or Georgia but I still took a USCG six pack course. I still geta USCG boat insurance I go through my boating check list ever spring.i do a steering maintenance and motor tune up twice a year. I inspect my running lights, life jacket fire extinguisher medical kit and signal devices twice a year. Once before fishing season and once before duck season.
Mar 24, 2022 08:55:13 #
Frank romero
Loc: Clovis, NM
OJdidit wrote:
Boating, hunting, ATVing, snowmobiling and anything else where potential life-threatening activities are involved should be certified as there is too much at risk and too much to lose!
This is so true, but, we also need to have common sense. I have seen too many that drink to excess and are driving boats. Just as bad as driving a car while under the influence.
Mar 24, 2022 10:08:56 #
kandydisbar
Loc: West Orange, NJ
Fredfish wrote:
I agree Seegundo, but there's a problem with moder... (show quote)
So sorry to hear of your friend. Avoidable accidents are painful and frustrating. I, like Fred, took the USPS courses up to celestial navigation. They are wonderful tools and the comradery there reminds me of you guys! Still friends with a couple of them. Condolences.
Mar 24, 2022 10:09:36 #
kandydisbar
Loc: West Orange, NJ
Frank romero wrote:
This is so true, but, we also need to have common sense. I have seen too many that drink to excess and are driving boats. Just as bad as driving a car while under the influence.
Don't forget cannabis and driving now!!!
Mar 24, 2022 10:42:15 #
If born after January 1 1982 You have to take a boater safety course and carry a card in the State of Ohio with a vessel over 10 horsepower. I grow up on the river an have always been around boats an have never taken one. Guess I should 🤪 maybe someone could have a quiz on the stage 🤔
Sorry to hear about your friend Seegundo
Sorry to hear about your friend Seegundo
Mar 24, 2022 11:59:45 #
Mar 24, 2022 12:10:40 #
little DAVID
Loc: Farmerville, Louisiana
I took the power squadron course over 30 years ago. Had to go 1 night a week for 4 or 5 weeks 4+ hours per night. Then the WLF gave a night of their course. got certificates from both at same time. Helps people to navigate waterways and teaches manners(which there is a lot of lack of) on waterways .
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