Well it's about time

[Ron C]

John Ragsdale, the Senior Lifeguard at Castaic Lake, just forwarded this to me. It is a press release for a proposed Assembly Bill (AB 2110) that would require all boaters to take a one-time certification test to receive a life-time license to operate a motorized vessle.

In my opinion, this should have been done many years ago, as it probably would have prevented countless boating related injuries and deaths.

I, for one, am in support of this proposed Assembly Bill.

Ron C

===============================================

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Walt Kadyk, President
(909) 941-6622
Jerry Desmond, Jr.
Director of Government Relations
(916) 441-4166

California Vessel Operator Certification Bill Introduced

Sacramento [February 21] – Assembly Member Mike Duvall [R-Brea] has introduced AB 2110, legislation to phase-in a requirement that operators of vessels propelled by engines pass a one-time, state-approved test and have a card with them.

Assembly Member Duvall has introduced the legislation at the request of the boater advocacy organization Recreational Boaters of California [RBOC]. The effort carries forward the momentum initiated by the Assembly Member in 2007 with AB 1458, a similar proposal also requested by RBOC.

RBOC President Walt Kadyk stated that “The intent of AB 2110 is to ensure that individuals have the necessary knowledge on the laws and regulations that apply to the operation of vessels, through certification, in order to reduce accidents, injuries and fatalities. We are pleased that Assembly Member Duvall will be spear-heading this effort.

“It became clear in discussions that involved many stakeholders throughout 2007 that the majority of California boaters support certification – provided that it will provide a measure of assurance that the other person on the waterways will have a knowledge of the laws and regulations that apply to the operation of a vessel.â€

[Cooch]

Very cool! Now being theat we in California are gonna be the first at this, as usual, wonder how it affects those coming in from out of state to fish tournaments here, or just plain fish in general? Anywhere Ron we can go look at that assembly bill yet?

[Cooch]

Turns out, a quick Google search on California Assembly Bill 2110 brought up more negatives reports about using dogs and trial hunting, and nothing in the search in regards to boating licenses! HAR! HAR! HAR!

I actually found another note from Sacto:
http://www.thelog.com/news/logNewsArticle.aspx?x=5337

Guess we'll have to wait and see where this goes!

[Phil]

TRUST ME, IT WON'T STOP AT CASTAIC IF THIS GOES THRU !!

[Ron C]

It appears that the original AB 2110 died last year (the hunting dog one, which was horrible!). This appears to be an entirely different bill (although it is odd that they would use the same AB number).

Jigs - This is a very good bill that will (hopefully) remove some of the morons out there who do not have a clue about how to operate a power boat. It will save lives.

By the way, you might want to read my post again. It has NOTHING to do with Castaic Lake. It is a statewide thing. It was merely sent to me by a very good friend of mine who is the Senior Lifeguard at Castaic Lake. (Nice knee-jerk reaction, however).

[Fishin' Dave]

Thanks,

All I need is the government involved in my life one more time. One more time I have to go to DMV or some BS opperation and waste 1/2 a day to get my "boat license" for something I am already compentant at.

Thanks again for all the governmanet regulation and restrictions on me. When I was young, I was told to be thankful you live in the land of the free. It's only free if you wear your seatbelt, mororcycle helmet, get a boat license, drivers license, pay taxes out of your check, taxes out of your home, taxes on what you purchase, be monitored while on line, on and on and on.

You want more govenrment control over your life?? Keep asking for junk like this. I for one am sick of govenrment regulation.

[Fishin' Dave]

Jigs - This is a very good bill that will (hopefully) remove some of the morons out there who do not have a clue about how to operate a power boat.

Just read this again. It will remove morons from the water just as well as the DMV has eliminated bad drivers from the road, drunk drivers, and made sure eventhough you can not speak one word of english.....here's your license to go drive on all our roads marked with english instruction/safety signs.

Ron, fact is just because you pass some test, doesn't mean you know what to do, or pop a few beers and kill someone. All you are doing with this "boat license" is inconviencing all the good law obeying citizens and I'm sure there is a fee involved so more out of the working man's pocket.

People, please urge your elected officials to vote NO on this.

Thanks.
2 cents....

[macinckirk]

Thanks,

All I need is the government involved in my life one more time. One more time I have to go to DMV or some BS opperation and waste 1/2 a day to get my "boat license" for something I am already compentant at.

Thanks again for all the governmanet regulation and restrictions on me. When I was young, I was told to be thankful you live in the land of the free. It's only free if you wear your seatbelt, mororcycle helmet, get a boat license, drivers license, pay taxes out of your check, taxes out of your home, taxes on what you purchase, be monitored while on line, on and on and on.

You want more govenrment control over your life?? Keep asking for junk like this. I for one am sick of govenrment regulation.

Man I was thinking the same thing, between this and the sreaching of boats at Castias to look for weeds/grass and water in your rod lockers whats next??
I'm going to have to be finger printed and have a pic taken and give them a SS# and have a back ground check done to get on the water

[Buzzbait]

Thanks,

All I need is the government involved in my life one more time. One more time I have to go to DMV or some BS opperation and waste 1/2 a day to get my "boat license" for something I am already compentant at.

Thanks again for all the governmanet regulation and restrictions on me. When I was young, I was told to be thankful you live in the land of the free. It's only free if you wear your seatbelt, mororcycle helmet, get a boat license, drivers license, pay taxes out of your check, taxes out of your home, taxes on what you purchase, be monitored while on line, on and on and on.

You want more govenrment control over your life?? Keep asking for junk like this. I for one am sick of govenrment regulation.

Thank you David. I agree with you 100%. One more tool to collect money and excercise control over the general public. The only way I would agree with something like this is if the class was free and available online and on-demand.

It does say something about minimizing the cost to the boater, which does something to ease my worry, becuase at least they are thinking about that, but exactly what does that wording mean---it doesn't mean free, that's for sure.

[rexford]

Yeah. How much is this going to cost me?? This is going to work
just like Ca insurance. The only guy to hit you is the one without
it. I am all for safe boating guys and admit I have not read the
proposal. I am very nervous about the cost associated with this
and how it would be managed.

Not sold yet...

[Bill K]

I am in agreement that this is just another tax(if you do not believe the state will make money on this one, you are not thinking right) and governement rule. California is leading the nation in dumb *** laws and regulations. Bill K

[MIKE TREMONT]

I hate more government in my life.

I hate the creative ways they come up with ways to steal our money.

BUT... I'm all for this.

We'll never weed out all the knuckle heads mo matter what. If this license gives just a few of them some insight as to what they should do, and more of us are on the same page, lives will be saved.

Now if they put some stiff penalties in there, and stick to them, for those that don't comply, there won't be as many knuckle heads out there.

I know, wishful thinking!

[eagle123777]

great that it may become mandatory..i actually have taken the CG course because my insurance gives me a discount for taking the course...but actually learned things that i did not no even after operating a boat for 10 years...jack

[eagle123777]

missed the cost...i didnt pay the state a dime, but the company that does the online course charged around 15 dollars cant say if CA got a kickback for it..dont know that....jack

[GW]

.......and maybe you can wear it above your waist like a fishing license

[Dan McKenzie]

I support this 1000% how can you not? What would a catastrophic accident caused by some clueless idiot cost you if you just happend to be you involved? Maybe your life!

We require licenses for operating just about everything, big rigs, motorcycles, cars, fishing guides, etc... Doing so helps to ensure at least a minimum knowledge of the law and rights of way and so forth.

Isn't your life or that of your passenger worth a few dollars? Wouldn't it be just a little more reassuring to know that someone who just purchased their first boat and is headed out to the water have at least some knowledge of what they're doing?

I know there are a bunch of people who feel government is intruding on their lives, well I got news for them, the population of this state continues to grow with no end in sight, without governance, regulations and laws problems will only get worse, not just disappear into thin air.

[Gator]

Living through legislation - I think it is not a good idea......what's next, they tell me what klnd of food I can feed my family and what kind of car I can drive???

I agree that there needs to be more educated boaters on the water as god knows I have dealt with clueless boaters more than once....but how much government control is too much

[Vernonn]

Hey Cooch,

Very cool! Now being theat we in California are gonna be the first at this, as usual, wonder how it affects those coming in from out of state to fish tournaments here, or just plain fish in general? Anywhere Ron we can go look at that assembly bill yet?

Here is the text pertaining to the bill:
http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/07-08/bil ... duced.html


-vernon

[Fishin' Dave]

I support this 1000% how can you not?What would a catastrophic accident caused by some clueless idiot cost you if you just happend to be you involved? Maybe your life!

We require licenses for operating just about everything, big rigs, motorcycles, cars, fishing guides, etc... Doing so helps to ensure at least a minimum knowledge of the law and rights of way and so forth.
Isn't your life or that of your passenger worth a few dollars? Wouldn't it be just a little more reassuring to know that someone who just purchased their first boat and is headed out to the water have at least some knowledge of what they're doing?

I know there are a bunch of people who feel government is intruding on their lives, well I got news for them, the population of this state continues to grow with no end in sight, without governance, regulations and laws problems will only get worse, not just disappear into thin air.

Dan,

I see how this looks good on paper and should make sense. But look no further than the DMV as I previousaly stated. It is here to ensure safe driving and knowledge of the laws of the road. Last I checked, people drive like fools, do not obey the laws, and die. They too have a license, and the road is dangerous. There is my point....

[Dan McKenzie]

Well maybe so, I guess we'll have to wait and see if we're allowed to eat freedom fries or not. But this nation was founded on laws, regulations, and oh yes taxes too. If you support boater education and think it is a good idea, just how do we go about it? The problem has gotten too big for talking about it, no effort has made to educate boat owners and now we're really left with no viable solution other than some sort of law/legislation. There was a time when anyone who could afford to purchase a plane could do so and fly it at their own risk, same with driving a car or a motorcycle, are boats that much different?

[Fishin' Dave]

Can I ask a few questions?

Is boating more dangerous now?
a. Have accidents increased?
b. Have there been more fatalities?
c. In all boating accidents over the past 10yrs, what percentage was boater error, or ignorance of the laws vs. something like alcohol?
d. What is the ratio of accidents per number of boats now vs 10 years ago?
e. Who is pushing for this?


I would like to see data that shows the need for this. Yeah I see clowns all the time out there just like everybody. I ask, is there data to back the need to haul everyone in for mandantory education?

[Dan McKenzie]

Dave, good point I was just thinking the very same thoughts, just what are the numbers? Here you go....

http://www.dbw.ca.gov/Reports/SafetyReports.aspx

[parker]

does this mean there will be a new age limit for the liscense?

[MIKE TREMONT]

So 68 people died in that five year period.

Dave all your points are valid, and there was a time in my life I would be right there with you.

I wish they would of put the percentage of these deaths that are attributed to alcohol. But even if 95% were related to alcohol, what could or would we do as a society to help prevent any further heartbreak?

I hope that's what they're trying to do here.

[barberbob]

I wish it was that easy. I'm all for safe boating, but alot of unsafe people have drivers licenses.

[Marc]

Sorry Cooch, but California isn't taking the lead on this issue. I'm not sure about other States, but Washington State has already passed this legislation. It is being phased in year by year according to your age...young operators have to get licensed first, and the older you are the longer time you get to be certified.

What I don't agree with is having to get another card to carry with you. I would suggest an endorsement on your drivers license, like a motorcycle endorsement. This would also serve to remind operators that they can lose their license if they operate their boat in violation of the law.

[bunktheclown]

Oregon has the same thing as well. You can take class and test on-line for free and mail that info in with $10 and get your license.

As of January 1, 2008, boaters 70 and younger must now carry a boater education card when operating powerboats (including personal watercraft or any motorized watercraft) greater than 10 hp. Law enforcement officers are issuing citations for non-compliance with the Mandatory Education Law. The citation fines are $97.

Youth 12-15 also need a boater education card when operating boats 0-10 hp alone. When operating a motorboat over 10 hp, a card-holding adult (16 or older, 18 for personal watercraft) must be in direct supervision (on-board, and able to immediately take corrective action in case of emergency).

There are many different options available to help you meet the requirements of this law.

Also, boaters from out of state do not need to carry a boater education card unless boating in Oregon over 60 consecutive days. Oregon also recognizes boater education cards from other states!




http://www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/BoatEd/education.shtml

-jb

[BShafer]

But I don't want anymore government in my life. Show me where in this day and age our state goverment is actully getting it correct then maybe I'd have more faith in them.

As for making the water ways safe no 8 hr course with a test following it is going to do that. Experince needs to be there also but I don't even beleave that will work. How many of you feel safer on the road knowing that you have to have a license to drive a car legally. I don't becuase I spend enough time fixing problems from all the licensened drivers that aren't safe but still driving.

No I have no faith in the government getting it wright with out screwing me in the proccess. Drive your boat and fish like you should drive DEFENSIVE at all times by always looking for it you'll be ready when you find it.

Dave great points and I agree with you on this one also.