Flawed argument?

[Tranona]

Tranona,

I can explain that from my personal point of view.

When I did my ym offshore in 1992, it quickly became apparent that I was far more experienced than my fellow students; this wasn't because I'm so brilliant, simply I was the only one who'd owned a boat for a while, the others had sailed on other peoples' boats.

It did show particularly when it came to boat handling, though I suspect my time in dinghies helped me a lot.

I just have to say I disagree with 'fast track yachtmasters', pretty much a contradiction in terms; I suppose it's a bit like the driving test, first one learns to pass that, then one learns how to drive; but we're used to the idea that 'yachtmasters' know one end from the other, rather than being parachuted into the position by force-feeding.

It's inconvenient, but I do think there is simply no substitute for experience.

Thank you for that - but I was hoping that Kellyseye would explain - as he seems to be linking qualifications to insurance premiums - and I thought that it was pretty much established that qualifications per se (however acquired) had no direct influence on premiums.

This suggests that lack of qualifications is not a factor in assessing risk.

So whether a Yachtmaster is a "fast track" or not is irrelevant from an insurers point of view.

 

[Lakesailor]

I think the government has enough problems to keep it busy without worrying about sailing qualifications.

I just wonder what problem it would solve

Dangerous assumption.

Whilst the big boys of government are busy , and looking for areas to make cuts in their own Civil Service, it becomes attractive to Empire Builders to look for areas which they can invest time and salaries in, especially if they can point to a new revenue stream that may be available (Boater users) to government.

 

[boomerangben]

As a driver of cars and pilot of aircraft, I have to be qualified to do both. As a yachty, I am unqualified. In all three areas, leisure users share publicly accessed space with those that use it professionally. In all three, rules are in place and enforced. On that basis, why wouldn't formal qualifications for leisure users be justified. However, the big difference is the consequence of things going wrong. Boating is relatively safe, both in terms of accidents that happen and those that might. On that more appropriate basis, qualifications are not required. However, how many more incidents like the Ouzo and Hanne Knutsen would it take to get someone in a minor political position hot under the collar and a need to make a name for themselves to try and legislate formal certification of sailors.