Sim,

My thought would be based on personal experience. I would leave it to
the boaters themselves and local agencies. I think if we see something
we don't like that become at threat to our well being, I think we have
to take a proactive approach and deal with the situation. As I
mentioned in my previous post, I think confronting the person posing the
threat and making them aware of your concern (I know, sounds great in
theory, but really, we are usually told to f*** off, or kiss their a$$),
or contact local agencies such as in my case the Dept. of Natural
resources and/or County Sheriffs dept.

I am always wary of discrimination strictly based on age, and therefore
the only fair solution would be to test everyone, which in my opinion
only isn't necessary. Like Steve said, he is comfortable in high
powered boat, probably more comfortable at 80mph than others at 35mph.
The same holds true for age, Not all 16 year old are bad drivers that
cause trouble, not all 18 year olds are mature enough to vote, and not
all 21 year olds are mature enough to drink. Yet there are a large
number that are on the other end of each statement. I think when we
start approaching controlling "groups" in this situation we are stepping
right through Groups like "SAFER"s front door where they are waiting
with open arms. You have to start asking, why start at Age 14, and not
12? Why not 10, why not wait until 20? Who draws the lines?

Optimistically as a society if we would "all" step back (not saying most
don't already, but...) and take responsibility for our own actions and
be conscious of others around us, things would be inherently safer.
Fact still remains, Great swimmers can drowned, people get struck by
lightning, and some of us might win the lottery. I guess my point is I
just control what I can, be conscious of what is around me, and
"hopefully" things all work out. Do I have the answer to the problem,
definitely not, at least not a definitive answer, but I don't think it
is broken to the point that needs another agency , especially a Federal
Agency. The last thing I need is a Toll booth out on the lake, and a
guard at every launch.

Chris
SimRacer wrote:
"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...
"SimRacer" wrote in message SNIP

I'm with you Chris. We need to stop adding "agencies" to do things that
should already being done under current laws. Better enforcement and not
new
bureaucracies are what we really need. If anything, we need to look at
some
sort of boater safety courses for boat operators younger than a certain
age
(like many states require gun/hunter safety courses before they can gain
hunting licenses), or everyone that intends to operate a watercraft
regardless of age if you find the other method somehow prejudicial. And
we
need to set a minimum age for PWC operators too IMO. Every person I saw
pulled out of local lakes last year as a result of a PWC-involved
accidents,
wasn't even old enough to drive themselves to the lake where they got
hurt.

I don't think any of those above would require some new organization
though.
Especially not some new country wide organization. I think it should be
handled at the state level, personally. And therefore funded by the
people
that will ultimately be affected. I'm not fond of pouring money into a
federal-level warchest that may or may not ever help my own state.
I too am in agreement with both Chris and SimRacer. I think as a nation,
we
are already being regulated to death. What has happened to personal
responsibility and accountability?

That last question has a larger impact on more things than just boater
safety, and I agree with you asking it 110%.

As a firefighter/EMT, I have seen first-hand the consequences of boating
injuries. Tragic?, yes! Preventable?, most certainly! In need of
additional legislation?, HELL NO!!!

I am fully aware of when and how I operate my boat. I know the boat's
capabilities and I know how it's constructed. Is it safe? Yes, as deemed
by the U.S. Coast Guard and boat manufacturer's standards. The last thing
I
need and/or want is additional rules, regulations and inspections.

And who is to determine what is safe operation? My new boat is capable of
running in excess of 80 mph. To some, that isn't safe. To me with a lot
of
seat time in a high performance boat, I'm probably safer at 80 mph than
many
operators at 35 mph. Is this going to be considered? Will I need to
"take
a class" to prove I know how to operate MY boat? There's just too many
questions and concerns about another organization that is going to set an
arbitrary set of standards that will potentially interfere with the way I
run my boat.

I don't want to have to prove my skills by passing a safety course either,
but how can we regulate who is and is not allowed to operate watercraft
otherwise? Not being sarcastic, but am asking genuinely. There are people
out there operating boats and PWCs that have absolutely no business doing it
IMO. "How do we deal with this issue?" is my main question with boating
regulation today.

We can't do it at the point of sale, as boats are loaned out more than cars
(since there are fewer of them to go around). People like you and I, who've
been operating boats probably longer than we've been driving cars - I know I
have -, know how to act responsibly on the water and will naturally balk at
the idea of getting a license to operate a boat. We just need to find some
sort of middle ground so we can weed out the idiots, at least a little bit.
Though I can say I don't think some sort of new "SAFER" organization is the
way to go. That'd probably evolve into a money pit, that preyed on the
giving nature of most of us conservationist-types, likely with little return
on our investment outside of maybe a few print ads and a newsletter. As I
stated before, I think this kind of issue is best addressed at the state
level, with genuine volunteers/fundraisers - for the ever required lobbyists
- who have a vested and direct interest in the outcome. Lobbying in
Washington for anything usually results in less money for the people paying
the lobbyist, and that's about it.

You cannot legislate stupidity! So stop trying!!!!
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com