should boating be more official as in europe ?

[malc60]

None of us want to be bogged down with the aurthorities, but sometimes i wonder wether every boat owner should have a licence as in the rest of europe, insurance to be mandatory, and all have a SSR number, Fines are horrendous in spain were i am if you don,t have these, but at least everone is legal and trained

 

[Tranona]

None of us want to be bogged down with the aurthorities, but sometimes i wonder wether every boat owner should have a licence as in the rest of europe, insurance to be mandatory, and all have a SSR number, Fines are horrendous in spain were i am if you don,t have these, but at least everone is legal and trained

Why? What do you expect to achieve apart from. Regular inflow of funds from fines, minus the cost of enforcement.

 

[Eyore]

More rules to be obeyed by the law abiding, not to mention expense, while the rest will ignore it anyway. Pointless waste of time and the last thing we need in our pursuit of enjoyment on the water.

 

[malc60]

mmm i suppose so!

 

[Sandyman]

None of us want to be bogged down with the aurthorities, but sometimes i wonder wether every boat owner should have a licence as in the rest of europe, insurance to be mandatory, and all have a SSR number, Fines are horrendous in spain were i am if you don,t have these, but at least everone is legal and trained

Are you are suggesting this on safety grounds ?

 

[malc60]

yes really, How can it be right that anyone can buy a boat and go to sea, without any training or legal requirements, even my jet ski in spain has a ssr no. and independent insurance, and you must have a licence for it too, its only like owning a car, a bit of a bind but it does make sense

 

[Tranona]

yes really, How can it be right that anyone can buy a boat and go to sea, without any training or legal requirements, even my jet ski in spain has a ssr no. and independent insurance, and you must have a licence for it too, its only like owning a car, a bit of a bind but it does make sense

There is little evidence that this lack of formalities creates any particular problems. So no problem to solve, no need for restrictive legislation.

 

[oceanfroggie]

I don't invite over regulation, none of us want time wasting bureaucracy. BUT nobody on here has yet managed to satisfactorily explain to me why the private pilot of a small private light aircraft is subject to statutory regulated licensing, accreditation, airworthy certs, and training specifications, BUT the private skipper of a 30kt 55ft 20ton motor vessel carrying up to 10 private pax on board does not need any paper licensing, certification, nor vessel seaworthyness certification whatsoever. It makes no sense.

 

[omega2]

I don't invite over regulation, none of us want time wasting bureaucracy. BUT nobody on here has yet managed to satisfactorily explain to me why the private pilot of a small private light aircraft is subject to statutory regulated licensing, accreditation, airworthy certs, and training specifications, BUT the private skipper of a 30kt 55ft 20ton motor vessel carrying up to 10 private pax on board does not need any paper licensing, certification, nor vessel seaworthyness certification whatsoever. It makes no sense.

you might bang into something, but you are not likely to fall on anybody!!

 

[Sandyman]

yes really, How can it be right that anyone can buy a boat and go to sea, without any training or legal requirements, even my jet ski in spain has a ssr no. and independent insurance, and you must have a licence for it too, its only like owning a car, a bit of a bind but it does make sense

I entirely agree & have been saying so for many years.

 

[Chris_robb_ndota]

In theory I suppose it would actually make sense, but in practice it would be very expensive to implement.

 

[Tranona]

I don't invite over regulation, none of us want time wasting bureaucracy. BUT nobody on here has yet managed to satisfactorily explain to me why the private pilot of a small private light aircraft is subject to statutory regulated licensing, accreditation, airworthy certs, and training specifications, BUT the private skipper of a 30kt 55ft 20ton motor vessel carrying up to 10 private pax on board does not need any paper licensing, certification, nor vessel seaworthyness certification whatsoever. It makes no sense.

Perhaps you can explain why there are so many accidents and deaths involving small private light aircraft despite all the controls you admire. And then you might also tell us about all the accidents that have involved 30 knot 55 foot motor vessels skippers by private people.

 

[DougH]

but at least everone is legal and trained

Can't comment on the legal aspect as I have never seen proof either way, but virtually all Spanish run very close to the wind in all aspects of law and tax evasion. (note not tax avoidance) It's in their basic nature and I would not make a judgement as it is their country and I am a visitor.

But that all Spanish are trained I find laughably. Come to Mallorca on a weekend and see with your own eyes the Spanish owned boats whose Skippers fail to demonstrate even a basic knowledge of the Col Regs.

There is no one nation that are the world best sailors but for certain there are many extremely skilled Spanish mariners that I am in awe of (and envious of) and who I love to watch the dexterity that they demonstrate in all boat handing.

Having said that I must also say that Spain has just as many helmsman who are very poor at all boating skills and if they have all been in receipt of training then some of the training leaves a great deal to be desired.

If all is so legal and above board why is it that so many of the small PEDRO fishing boats have trouble producing insurance to the marina management.

This is not a reflection on the Spanish people as I love the country and the people.

Get authority involved in anything and the enjoyment in the sport will diminish.

 

[l'escargot]

Bring in compulsory insurance, that would sort it out. It would also encourage people to improve their skills to reduce their premiums.

 

[Solitaire]

Bring in compulsory insurance, that would sort it out. It would also encourage people to improve their skills to reduce their premiums.

You always get to the heart of the issue. Well said!

 

[lenten]

None of us want to be bogged down with the aurthorities, but sometimes i wonder wether every boat owner should have a licence as in the rest of europe, insurance to be mandatory, and all have a SSR number, Fines are horrendous in spain were i am if you don,t have these, but at least everone is legal and trained

----- would help solve the unemployment problem-----a whole new department of people pushing paper around in a circle----anyone keen on paying up for it-----regards lenten

 

[Momac]

I do think all boats should be insured, if only to provide third party liability cover.
On the inland waterways, in the UK , you do need to have insurance in order to obtain a river (or canal) license.

I do not know why boats at coastal locations are not required to be licensed.

 

[hartcjhart]

I agree totally with you, but when I said the same thing I got shot to ****,I wonder what will happen when the 'no need for licence' brigade get a numpty wreck their lovelly boat

 

[Nigelpickin]

I agree totally with you, but when I said the same thing I got shot to ****,I wonder what will happen when the 'no need for licence' brigade get a numpty wreck their lovelly boat

Agreed

Whenever we have non boaty types aboard we get asked the same question...'do we need a licence to drive a boat like this?'

Always the same jaw dropping to the floor reaction when we tell them that we just need one for the radio !

It is a bit bonkers that there is no regulation although I understand the arguments against. Perhaps absolutes regarding insurance and large incentives from insurers regarding certs would be a positive step...however, given the very low cost of insurance in the leisure marine sector, I guess that there isn't that much of an issue?

Voluntary qualifications are all well and good but regular courses run by the RNLI and the coast guard would be appreciated and well attended I am sure...

And how about an MOT equivalent, eh ?

(Pulls pin, releases, retreats)

 

[grumpy_o_g]

I don't invite over regulation, none of us want time wasting bureaucracy. BUT nobody on here has yet managed to satisfactorily explain to me why the private pilot of a small private light aircraft is subject to statutory regulated licensing, accreditation, airworthy certs, and training specifications, BUT the private skipper of a 30kt 55ft 20ton motor vessel carrying up to 10 private pax on board does not need any paper licensing, certification, nor vessel seaworthyness certification whatsoever. It makes no sense.

Until quite recently it was perfectly legal to buy a glider and fly it with absolutely no qualifications whatsoever yet the accident rate was far lower than that for powered light aircraft. After legislation was introduced to to "control" gliding the accident rate actually went up slightly for a while. It was a tiny rise, well in line with statistical variation and I don't think the he new rules had any real effect beyond creating some new hoops to jump through and making an already expensive sport even more expensive. As with leisure boating, legislation was unlikely to ever do much to increase safety as it was trying to solve a problem that didn't really exist. It may well have discouraged people from going gliding however.