We trolling walleyes after dark regularly, there are several high powered led flashlights on board always, a lot of the pontoons trolling have automobile dimmer style lights turned downward somewhat so they don’t blind everyone.Originally Posted by kailor
You better be guessing what the other person is going to do because he damn sure is! You better be able to give yourself time and room to react.
Yes I believe boater safety courses are just another feel good rule and of no real value. If my 8 year old son and nephew can pass it with flying colors in the back of our vehicle on the way to a MN fishing trip, how much value can it be? I bet it made some lawmaker proud and that' what really matters.
If professionals who's careers depend on catching fish use FFS then that's what I'm using. Might be too simple of a philosophy but makes sense to me.
You are overlooking the fact that without the driving course most people wouldn't even know what road signs mean, know what a solid or dashed line on the road means, know how to yield and a multitude of other things. If they choose not to follow certain rules or signs after they pass, then that is on the individual. The idea that we shouldn't have any safety or education classes is absurd. As I said in the other thread, if it was strictly Darwin's Law and the only person hurt in an accident was the negligent individual then that would be fine but that is rarely the case and innocent people get hurt or killed all the time due to others actions.
The idea that anyone can buy a boat of any size and just go out to operate it in a navigable waterway with zero knowledge of buoys, signage, passing/overtaking, lights, no wake zones etc, is also absurd. If anything it should be more strict than operating a car. We should really treat it like the aviation community. Safety and education should be heavily leaned on and lots of people should be held accountable by their peers when they are in the wrong.
Use the CGAUX link below to put in your zip and you can find close classes. As mentioned below, we put on a great class that is very informative. As a long time boater, there will be lots that you already know but I am sure there will be new info that you can use.
https://cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.php
You're right the license itself won't stop anything. We get it, it's a piece of paper. HOWEVER, in order to get it you must demonstrate at least a baseline level of knowledge. I would love to hear a good argument that everyone having that baseline knowledge is not a good thing.
He/him
Kayak fishing in a Native Slayer Max 12.5
Lowrance Elite 9 ti2
could always put them on the ICW from topsail to carolina beach july 4th weekend to see how they can handle that
You would think the ramp at Wrightsville Beach would weed people out each year but they keep coming, lol!
He/him
Kayak fishing in a Native Slayer Max 12.5
Lowrance Elite 9 ti2
I agree that safety courses would be beneficial but not to the point that they could become regulated renewal requirements costing tax dollars for already strained resources or end up being a revenue stream for insurance companies with higher premiums by mandating conformity. One could argue either way that some will always follow the rules and safety protocols while on the water but there will still be many that don't. I get the, "if it only saves one life it's worth it" argument but it will never hold water without extreme policing oversight and regulations.
We don't have a lot of lakes that we can run flat out balls to the wall on around here and when we do traffic is light enough that it is easily manageable and safe. It's a stark contrast for me when we visit busy lakes in MO where certain areas can be really congested with everyone hauling ass in every direction. Makes me a nervous wreck because I don't know what they're thinking, where they're headed, if they've been drinking, their boating skills in general or if they're totally distracted and even paying attention. Boats can come together rather quickly when a driver is not paying attention and even if they are it doesn't mean the other guy is. Not sure a safety course(s) would ever change this fact past on board equipment requirements and common sense which seems to get lost by many
Do they teach people how to backup a boat trailer? If you have trouble launching your boat imagine the problems you are going to have on the water. Just saying.
At the start of every trip, every time, before we untie from the dock, my crew gets a full orientation and safety meeting:
- all of our life jackets are in this box right here (open box).
- there is a throw ring here above my head. Unzip this. Half of it is tied to the boat (with a line throw bag). Do not untie it so you can throw and retrieve.
- if you fall over the side. Do not try to climb back over the side you wont make it. There is a self recovery ladder right here.
- Coast Guard requires me to have fire extinguisher on board. It is mounted right here on the outside of the console so the Coast Guard can see it. That is the only reason it is there. We are fisherman not fireman. We don't fight fires on this boat. If you see smoke or fire grab a life jacket and head to the beach.
- every where we will be today your phone will work just fine. But if something bad happens channel 16 on this radio. Sweet 16 sweet 16 sweet 16....Coast Guard is always always listening to sweet 16.
- I have a robust first aid kit right here with lots of resources and instructions on what to do.
- while underway this kill switch will be attached to me. If i should fly out of the boat it will pull this tab and the motor is going to die. The throttle will be in this position right here. Bring it back in to neutral it must be in neutral... There is another kill switch tab right here on the key chain. Slide the tab in to the slot. Bring it back in to neutral. This boat does not start with the key. It starts with the start/stop button. Then come around and get me before you leave.
Additionally if we offshore (Texas) i tell them to put the compass on 333 degrees and that will get them back to land.
Every trip. Every crew. Every time.
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And there is the problem with most boaters. Heat and Beer don't mix.
Accident waiting to happen.
I disagree. What would the road be like if drivers education was not a requirement? Do you think it would be the same? It's not an all or nothing scenario, but a reduction in events. Your statement is like saying "why should you need training to fly an airplane? There are trained pilots today and still accidents."
Whether there should be a required course and the efficacy of the current courses offered are 2 separate conversations. IMO, should there be a requirement to take a boaters course and carry a license? Yes. Does the current courses offered do a good job? IDK, probably not by what you're saying.
My freedumbs LOL!
It sure wouldn't hurt to have a little course and free. Even if its online.
Are you required to do it every so often? I’ve never taken one.
Hot beer sucks
Does anyone ever get one of the life jackets out?At the start of every trip, every time, before we untie from the dock, my crew gets a full orientation and safety meeting:
- all of our life jackets are in this box right here (open box).
- there is a throw ring here above my head. Unzip this. Half of it is tied to the boat (with a line throw bag). Do not untie it so you can throw and retrieve.
- if you fall over the side. Do not try to climb back over the side you wont make it. There is a self recovery ladder right here.
- Coast Guard requires me to have fire extinguisher on board. It is mounted right here on the outside of the console so the Coast Guard can see it. That is the only reason it is there. We are fisherman not fireman. We don't fight fires on this boat. If you see smoke or fire grab a life jacket and head to the beach.
- every where we will be today your phone will work just fine. But if something bad happens channel 16 on this radio. Sweet 16 sweet 16 sweet 16....Coast Guard is always always listening to sweet 16.
- I have a robust first aid kit right here with lots of resources and instructions on what to do.
- while underway this kill switch will be attached to me. If i should fly out of the boat it will pull this tab and the motor is going to die. The throttle will be in this position right here. Bring it back in to neutral it must be in neutral... There is another kill switch tab right here on the key chain. Slide the tab in to the slot. Bring it back in to neutral. This boat does not start with the key. It starts with the start/stop button. Then come around and get me before you leave.
Additionally if we offshore (Texas) i tell them to put the compass on 333 degrees and that will get them back to land.
Every trip. Every crew. Every time.
-
Hang on. I'll help you in 77 minutes.
I'm only 38 and being at a boat ramp can get my nerves worked up quick.. its insane how long it takes.. while yes backing a trailer takes some practice but there are plenty of other things at a boat ramp where common sense comes in to play and it amazes me watching some of these people at the ramp, like they are they only ones there
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