August 08, 2006
Driver's Ed for Boaters...
Massachusetts is joining a growing number of states that is considering mandatory boater education. The current bill before the legislature, H.B.4543, would require all people born after January 1, 1988 to complete a boating safety course. This pending law is similar to ones being reviewed in over a half dozen different states.
It makes sense. Boating education is essential - it will make boating safer and thus more enjoyable for everyone. We don’t think twice about driver’s education when it comes to cars and I don’t think it should be any different for boats. Everyone needs to know the “rules of the road”.
RIBCRAFT, along with the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA), and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), fully supports this pending legislation and hopes you do as well.
To see if your state currently requires a boating education course or has similar legislation pending as Massachusetts, please visit the NASBLA website. Education is the key to everyone's boating safety and on the water fun!
Posted by ribcraftusa at August 8, 2006 10:29 AM
Comments
I think this is a great idea. Too many people feel that because they can afford it, they or worse yet, their child, should be able to get behind the wheel of a boat without ever taking a boating class!
Posted by: Peter at August 8, 2006 04:34 PM
As an update to the posting, the MA legislature has adjourned their formal session without pasing the boater ed bill. The legislation remained pending on the floor of the House. While the bill may be considered during informal sessions through the remainder of the year, it is unlikely it will receive consideration this year.
Posted by: Fred at August 11, 2006 08:10 AM
Connecticut has required boat owners to pass a state test and carry a Safe Boater Certificate while on the water for quite some time. I've had mine since 1994 and it was not new then. Unfortunatly, it doesn't mean we have any less knuckleheads out boating, either they passed the test or haven't been caught yet not having the certificate.
Posted by: Bill Herzfeld at August 13, 2006 10:43 PM
