Great Debate

Should diesel engines be warmed up gently?

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StewartC

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In this month's MBM, we ask: is compulsory boat licensing now inevitable?

With the Government's plan to legislate on drink boating, can we expect more and more interference until we're all forced to carry a licence? Is this just a first step in the path of aggressive regulation?

Cast your vote below and let's hear your thoughts.
 

Talbot

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Sadly, expect you are right. The first legislation will be for PWCs, and we will all say - good idea, and then mobos, and finally yachts will be included.

Primarily cause this lot are a group of kill-joy control freaks.
 

Mike_S

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As someone new to boating I'd say not only is it inevitable but it's also necessary, even in the short time we've been on the water the number of numptys we've seen in charge of a speedboat / jetski is pretty high /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif I didn't even consider buying the boat until we'd at least done the PB2 course, after all a sensible person wouldn't drive a car without first being instructed how to would they ?
 

D3B

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Not allowing for the fact that i looked twice, it doesnt seem too many are bothered.

views of thread = 43
votes = 16.

/forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

I believe we will have to be registered/licenced
they will probably tells us its to bring us in line with Euroland which i belive is fairly well registered/licenced
 

sarabande

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If previous licensing change is any guide, then when chainsaw "tickets" came in as required pits of paper, you were allowed grandfather rights if you could show that you had owned and used a chainsaw for several years, and you still had the majority of your limbs.

Praps we should be making noises in this direction now, rather than jumping up and down in a year's time when GB puts enabling legislation before what is laughingly called parliament these days.
 

Whitelighter

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Thing is, if they use the same basis for licensing as they have done for drink boating then those who cause the biggest problem (jetskiers and PWC users) will not be legislated against as they are not classified as ships
 

michaelh

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Well, the issue is that you are sensible and would in all likelyhood have been sensible even without PB2. You'd have read books & taken advice. After all its not too difficult and, provided you take everything slow and steady, there's usually not too much to go wrong.

However PB2 does not really teach you too much. Its basically a keep you out of peril course.

A Numpty, on the other hand, will always be a numpty whether he passes a test or not. He'll just be a licenced Numpty so the problem will still be there
 

rickp

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To be fair, the Government have already said repeatedly that thay will fix that at the same time as the drink boating legislation.

Rick
 

Matteeboy

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When you see a 15 year old bombing around in Daddy's Sunseeker in a very dangerous manner, it makes you think it might not be so bad.
I'd happily take a test if needed.
 

nickcred

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exactly lol - one drive on the M25 and you run out of things to count the licensed numpties on - a licence and training never prevents idiots behaving badly
 

Whitelighter

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To be fair the government said they were actively going to seek and extension to the derogation of red diesel.

For once, I just wish the twats in charge would look further than the end of their own nose beofre swinging into action.
 

SnaxMuppet

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I am not so sure it will actually happen but I for one would love to see compulsory licencing as per a drivers licence... i.e. a compulsory course of training followed by a test.

People can't drive a moped nowdays without a test (and quite right too) so why should anyone be able to drive a boat without some training and to a certain level of competence?

OK... may be inflatables under a certain hp should be exempt, but certainly anything over 7m and/or capable of over 7kts shoud require a licence to drive.

Numpty? I think not... necessary IMO.
 

Gludy

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I am against licencing although think it will happen because this government is intwent on managing our lives down to some very small detail.

Licencing will, as other have stated, not stop the stupid.

It will impose costs and an administrative system.

IMHO it may well lower standards.

Boating in the UK is a pretty safe persuit. Are there any figures on acccidents in other EU countries where licences are compulsory?
 

michaelh

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I agree we all would take whatever responsible steps necessary. But the 15 year old may well pass his test but still go charging round. Taking a test does not guarantee responsible behaviour.
 

michaelh

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OK, but what about everybody who already has a boat? I've been messing about on water since I was 4. Still got things to learn and don't know it all but I can't imagine I'm going to learn a whole lot of new stuff on a short course.

Yea, I know a course could highlight some bad practices and you can always get something out of a course.

Are the Government going to announce I can't go boating 'till I've been on a course; What about the rest of the family? That's 4 courses then @ £200 or so. Plus licence cost. Who's going to do the teaching? Who will monitor licences? How will we ban people? Points for speeding? Different water/harbour authorities? the list is endless.

The only time I'll agree to boat licenecing is if they introduce a licenec to ride a bicycle. They use roads and interact with traffic. They need one as much as boaters do

Madness I say madness.
 

SnaxMuppet

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That is always possible... if not likely. I agree.

But having a licencing system, with a penalty points system could provide a framework for prosecution. T the moment there is no framework in place. Removal of the licence would then be an option for persistent or serious transgressors.

At the moment there is no control at all. For example, marinas could require the licence be shown prior to offering a berth or allowing launching facilities to be used and disallowing persistent offenders. At the moment they have no idea that the people they are letting use their facilities are complete and utter plonkers - if they see someone has many points then they have a heads up. Insurance could weight premiums towards the persistent offenders (insurance should also be compulsory but that is another thread!).

At the moment there is very little enforcement of any offences because there is little that can be done in terms of prosecution. So, no one is interested in persueing prosecution. With a licence and points system, perhaps with on-the-spot fines, the minor offences can be dealt with and enforcement agencies (MCA, Harbourmasters, river police, MOD) might start to actually stop people for these offences instead of doing as they mostly do now - turn a blind eye.

As I have found out recently... causing a dangerous wake means nothing to many and even if they were caught... what would the police/MCA/harbourmaster actually do about it right now? Nothing because they know that there is little they can do. If there was a sanction that could be levied effectively again such an offender they might take more of an interest.
 
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