Compulsory training for boaters

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boatmaster

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Has this one it reared its ugly head again? I remember some time ago that there were plans to implement some kind of formal qualification before the absolute beginner can take to boating, then it all went quiet. I had an interesting conversation today which leaves me wondering whether things are on the move again, if this guy is right we could see legislation by 2014.
I havent heard anything recently to support it, has anyone else?
 
boatmaster said:
Has this one it reared its ugly head again? I remember some time ago that there were plans to implement some kind of formal qualification before the absolute beginner can take to boating, then it all went quiet. I had an interesting conversation today which leaves me wondering whether things are on the move again, if this guy is right we could see legislation by 2014.
I havent heard anything recently to support it, has anyone else?
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AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH. Make it stop!!!!!!!!!!!
 
Doghousekeeper said:
AAARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHH. Make it stop!!!!!!!!!!!
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Indeed!, but i can well see it happening, even if not so soon. I'm not entirely against it, i think that if the syllabus were appropriate, the average beginner will have the steep learning curve somewhat lowered and maybe it could be beneficial to other boat owners in neighbouring awkward marina berths which are tricky to get into, and may reduce some unfortunate mishaps. However, i would hate to see a situation where the final certificate is unachievable to the less confident newbie, after all we were all beginners once.
 
Not heard anything
Can you give us a clue as to the source of this information?
IE, was it from anyone/anwhere 'official' like?
Or a Baroom laywer type.

My attitude is Education not Compulsion.

I reckon standards of boat handling and safety etc are now better than they were 30 years ago.
There are more peeps at it nowadays.
OK, we have all seen mishaps and boaters out there taking risks or mucking about on the water with what seems gay abandon and recklesness.

Considering the volume compared to years gone by, I still say people are more educated to the risks and elf an safety is permeating across the water as it were.
 
I can see this being implemented through the back door, by not getting insurance cover without some kind of chit to say you've done a test, however the down side to this is, it's not a legal requirement to be insured, so if it gets too expensive they just won't bother with insurance, I'd love to know how many jetskiers are insured, for example.
From what I have witnessed, in the area that I use, they've scant regard to any of the rules of the road let alone any other aspects of good seamanship.
 
I can't envisage any appetite for this at Dept for Transport. They are going through a major downsizing reorg, with Ministers's on the don't intefere unless it is necessary agenda.
 
Kawasaki said:
Not heard anything
Can you give us a clue as to the source of this information?
IE, was it from anyone/anwhere 'official' like?
Or a Baroom laywer type.

My attitude is Education not Compulsion.

I reckon standards of boat handling and safety etc are now better than they were 30 years ago.
There are more peeps at it nowadays.
OK, we have all seen mishaps and boaters out there taking risks or mucking about on the water with what seems gay abandon and recklesness.

Considering the volume compared to years gone by, I still say people are more educated to the risks and elf an safety is permeating across the water as it were.
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No i dont think its official, it could well be just rumour. but i do remember some time ago there was talk of a similar thing. I'm as curious as the next person as to whether there is any foundation in it or not.
 
RICKY S - wishful thinking ?!

ricky_s said:
Think this is just wishful thinking by Boatmaster.
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Why would that be wishful thinking on my part and what do i have to gain from any legislation of this kind ? to reiterate i heard a rumour and was asking the forum, NOT TELLING IT. I'm not asking for it to happen, neither would i lose sleep if it did.

I wish people would play nicely without the need for a constant dig at people who raise a simple question, i thought the point of this forum was give and recieve advice and help, I cant find the bit in the rules that says you need to be insulting!
 
boatmaster said:
Why would that be wishful thinking on my part and what do i have to gain from any legislation of this kind ? to reiterate i heard a rumour and was asking the forum, NOT TELLING IT. I'm not asking for it to happen, neither would i lose sleep if it did.

I wish people would play nicely without the need for a constant dig at people who raise a simple question, i thought the point of this forum was give and recieve advice and help, I cant find the bit in the rules that says you need to be insulting!
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Apologies if you think that is insulting.
 
There are issues that would have to be addressed.
1. A test has a standard by which pass/fail is judged. Training becomes "training to pass the test".
2. Grandfather rights need to be permitted. The old codger at the club bar has 70,000 bluw water miles logged and had been round the Horn twice in power and sail. He has not even got Day Skipper and never felt the need, nor had the cash at hand.
3. The cost will escalate exponetially. Even the relatively sensible current government will have pockets of unpurged advisers who see boaters as rich and eminantly useful as a revenue stream.

So, compulsory qualiifications could be fine if
1. There is no test to pass or fail, or pay to administer
2. Anyone who currently owns a boat, or has owned one in the last 15 years, or is regular crew on one is automatically qualified on the skipper's verbal sayso. This may well cover hirers by virtue of the fact that hiring in France gets you an ICC for the week by some fudge or other.
3. The qualification is free and guaranteed to remain so.

There you go:-)
 
boatmaster said:
Why would that be wishful thinking on my part and what do i have to gain from any legislation of this kind ? to reiterate i heard a rumour ...
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"A bloke in the pub said that ..." isn't really much of a basis for a discussion. A bloke in a pub told me that shape-shifting aliens are plotting world government and compulsory lifejackets.
 
boatmaster said:
Has this one it reared its ugly head again? I remember some time ago that there were plans to implement some kind of formal qualification before the absolute beginner can take to boating, then it all went quiet. I had an interesting conversation today which leaves me wondering whether things are on the move again, if this guy is right we could see legislation by 2014.
I havent heard anything recently to support it, has anyone else?
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Canada went through this and implimented it in stages starting with the youngest and newest and moving year by year till they captured the final stage of geriatrics like me :) The whole process took many years and the cut off date was about 15th September 2009. It would appear a large proportion of boaters have still to take the test.:)

Their test covers basic navigation , safety and first aid. It is a multi part test paper and does not cover things like practical boat handling.

Seeing how long this took to bring into place I can only imagine the problems of examining every sailor in the uk and the time it will take if they go a similar route.

In Canada there were no exemptions, everyone had to take the exam if operating a leisure craft. The Operators card has to be carried at all times when on board and applies also to most visitors including fishing folk using boats on lakes. Holiday charters are exempt for short duration and the charter company is supposed to give non holders a wee test.
 
boatmaster said:
Has this one it reared its ugly head again? I remember some time ago that there were plans to implement some kind of formal qualification before the absolute beginner can take to boating, then it all went quiet. I had an interesting conversation today which leaves me wondering whether things are on the move again, if this guy is right we could see legislation by 2014.
I havent heard anything recently to support it, has anyone else?
Click to expand...

What's wrong with mandatory competency certification for leisure boaters? I need a statutory license to drive a car or fly an aircraft, why not also a leisure boat? Don't understand this anti regulation thing from 'yottie' community.
 
What will the test contain, on the basis of safety I can't see any reason to have close quarter manoeuvring bought into the equation, so no gain to the existing boating community.

The test, if based on safety alone, must be different for inland and Coastal and will relate purely to the risk areas of boating. Which side of the river, tying up the boat, safety equipment use, depth sounder, likely shallows etc.

For sea it would need to include basic navigation, tidal drift, passage planning, what to do in an emergency, wind speed and it's effect, wave heights and their effect.

Bumping into a boat in the boat park is not a life safety issue and not likely to result in the RNLI being called.
 
[and the charter company is supposed to give non holders a wee test.[/QUOTE]

Does this mean the renter has to provide a sample, or is this taking the p**s?
 
NoviceRod said:
[and the charter company is supposed to give non holders a wee test.
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Does this mean the renter has to provide a sample, or is this taking the p**s?[/QUOTE]

Very good :D
For what its worth I think basic training along the lines of young motor bike riders these days, with a certificate to say they have completed the course, & optional further Qualifications as we have now. I class the pb2 course we did as basic.
 
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