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Initial course with certificate of completion was required to get a "V" on my Driver's License ("V" for Vessel). That or take a test administered by county/state or some governing municipality. Refresher courses are not mandated, but I'll likely take another CGAux course this year.
I took a 13 week course in 1997 at the University of New Orleans. Advanced Seamanship and Navigation. I had just gotten a GPS and thought I
would get some info on using it. Several retired Coast Guard members got together and put this together, i believe for 90 bucks. First thing they did was to tell people to put their hand held GPS in their vehicles, they would teach people to navigate anywhere on the planet. They showed 6 of the most common buoys in our waterways. Very few people could identify them all. When the course was complete, you were expected to know all buoys, nuns, markers, and lights. They taught how to tie knots to hold vessels, anchors, tow ropes, and others. They taught rules of the water...who had clearance and who had to hold. They taught weather dangers, safe navigation, how to signal with flags, lights, mirrors. After the 13 weeks, there was a 100 question test and exam. I received a card with a rating. The card is good for a 5% discount on your Marine insurance. I went on vacation to Maryland ,and wanted to fish in Chesapeake Bay. I went on a Naval Base and wanted to rent a boat. Seaman told me I had to be enlisted with a certain rating. I showed him the card and asked if this rating was any good. He looked at it and told me, holy moly....you can rent that yacht if you want it...up to a 50 ton vessel. I don't guess anymore when I see a buoy or marker. I know what it is telling me. I have not seen this offered anymore around here, but glad I put up with driving 40 miles into the city every Thursday for 13 weeks.
I have a CG 'six pack' license. I'd trade it abs.
Never. As in ever ever.Quote:
Originally Posted by BigFishSteve
As a Charter Captain (i have a 100 ton Masters Captains License) I'm required to have the Type 1 offshore style horse collar PFDs with strobe light beacons and whistles attached to each one (since we sometimes fish the jettys which is "coastwise" by their definition. They are not wearable under anything but emergency conditions. Even tho they do not meet the requirements as a PFD on a charter for hire, I additionally keep a handful of comfortable neoprene Type 3 PFDs for anyone that really wants one or for those that indicate that they can't swim or have any balance issues etc. And of course i keep the small neoprenes for the under 13 years old folks.....for which i additionally have to have a small size Type 1 for child/ under 90 pounds people.
I have had the discussion with the Coast Guard..... requiring me to have Type 1s for Inshore fishing means that noone will ever wear those horse collar life jackets regularly. Where's if we could have inflatables or even neoprene quit a few would. Anyway it's part of the rules.
When I go by myself I wear a life jacket running. I’m almost 70. We are required to get the boaters license here. Never took a course. 10 bucks for lifetime.
F.Y.I. I read at about 1000 WPM with a comprehension rate of about 80%Quote:
Originally Posted by angleiron
There are rules on the water. Although common sense is invaluable, there are still laws that govern operation of a vessel. These laws are the bases of legal arguments in a court of law, where these recent collisions of boats will be litigated.
It's best we all learn them to avoid collisions, and apply them or have deep pockets or really good insurance in case there is one. It would also help if we were invincible so we wouldn't be harmed by our own ignorance.
I'm not sure what my neighbor or my friend in the other boat would have done, but neither apparently knew the law well enough to save a life, or avoid jail time.
In general, when approaching another boat, the rule is to pass on the port (left) side. However, in a crossing situation where there's a risk of collision, the vessel that has the other boat on its starboard (right) side must yield. Head-on, both vessels should alter course to starboard (right) to pass each other on the port side.
At least you have them if needed. On our offshore boat we keep the Type 1's in the cuddy not stowed away where they are easily grabbed in an emergency. When I have friends or people on board for the first time, I have a 15ish minute safety walkthrough on the boat. I show them where the lifejackets will be, where the radio is and how to use it (always on channel 16), and a few other items on board. Then I make them put on one of the Type 1's while I harass them a little to somewhat simulate rough seas or whatever. Who knows if it will make a difference in the event of a bad situation but I think it at least helps some.Quote:
Originally Posted by SGrem
These boating threads really seem just a bit ridiculous to me. As pointed out yesterday there are far more vehicle accidents with folks on their cell phones than boating accidents. Guess what, it is the start of boating season, there will be more accidents. I still plan on driving my truck and my boat and being as careful as I can be. Life goes on guys