Fatal Boat Wreck at Barkley last week

[Tom523]

It's that type of mentality that will have to change.

As for who is going to pay for it? What do you think citations are for? By putting the mandatory coarse completion into effect, you create a means for officers to collect money to support the examinations from those who neglect to comply. The ones who neglect to comply with the safe boating campaign are probably the ones who need to take the course the most.



Even if the test costs you a one-time fee of $20, I think you could live with it. If you get a discount on your boat owner's insurance because of it for every year thereafter, you would recover that $20 and then some just in your first year.

Spending $20 and taking maybe 20 minutes to pass an online course would be well worth the benefits that would come from it. It won't cure all the problems, but for every person that learns to veer right when meeting head-on, the greater the chances of saving lives.

Such a program would help offer peace of mind to tournament co-anglers who get in boats with total strangers. The co-angler's life is in the hands of the boat operator, and right now there is nothing to ensure that the boater knows how to navigate safely or know what to do in an emergency situation.

Look! You can't fix STUPID! We have enough rules and regulations in effect right now that aren't enforced! Common sense isn't taught but it is learned from experience. Some unfortunately experience it for the last time too soon in their lives. That's just an unfortunate fact. Some are victims of these Darwin award winners. I don't need the government to be my parent. I already had two they did a great job and I survived 51 years so far. Everyone needs to watch out for those Darwin award candidates that are striving for the the ultimate award. It all starts with the parents of the individuals that want to act like they do. Let's enforce parenting like good neighbors do. There are too many adults today that have been babysat by the TV, computer, and video game.

[artcarney_agr]

The issue is not about enforcement, or governement intervention, or whatever else you guys can come up with.

The issue is whether or not everyone on the water needs to have some sort of qualifications to be on the water. As is it right now, there is no such thing. Any idiot can get in a boat and drive it.

For the veterans and those with great experience, you could pass the quiz without even opening up a book. I'm surpised at the resistance of such an effort to educate the masses. One quiz, one time, and that's it.......what's the big deal?

[LMHunter]

I'm also very shocked by the resistance of just a little education. I would have thought more of you all would have had the certification already. If nothing else just for the insurance discount. What is so scary about a little education? Frankly after reading this post I am even more worried about the safety on the waters. Set a good example and take the test. You never know, you may even learn something.

[BPenrod]

The issue is not about enforcement, or governement intervention, or whatever else you guys can come up with.

The issue is whether or not everyone on the water needs to have some sort of qualifications to be on the water. As is it right now, there is no such thing. Any idiot can get in a boat and drive it.

For the veterans and those with great experience, you could pass the quiz without even opening up a book. I'm surpised at the resistance of such an effort to educate the masses. One quiz, one time, and that's it.......what's the big deal?

You might be surprised at the number of veterans and experienced boaters that couldn't pass a simple quiz.

[TR21Bassin]

Not worried about passing another stupid test. Its the fact of another government regulation that some people want forced down their throat. I for one want the government to back off and keep to themselves and quit forcing more crap down all our throats. No matter if its a test or class or what it would have to be enforced, so it would cost more money. Also, how would you enforce it? There are too many bodies of water to have people randomly checked for the boating certification. The only ones that would be checked would be fishermen when they are checked for license and everything else by the game wardens. How many times have you seen a pleasure boater checked for anything? I've personally been checked more times fishing than the total number of pleasure boats I've seen checked.

Also, I've never seen any discount for a boating safety class. Had to have a coast guard class several years ago while in the military in order to rent boats from military recreation services.

As for worrying about others on the water, I don't. I drive with common sense and watch out for myself. No matter what safety class or test a person has to take its not going to stop stupidity. Also, if its your time to go then its your time to go only one person controls that and I don't think he cares if you passed a safety test or not as well. When its my time to go it will happen no matter where I'm at.

As I said before, if it scares you that much then stay at home.

Charlie

[dc chopper]

Not worried about passing another stupid test. Its the fact of another government regulation that some people want forced down their throat. I for one want the government to back off and keep to themselves and quit forcing more crap down all our throats. No matter if its a test or class or what it would have to be enforced, so it would cost more money. Also, how would you enforce it? There are too many bodies of water to have people randomly checked for the boating certification. The only ones that would be checked would be fishermen when they are checked for license and everything else by the game wardens. How many times have you seen a pleasure boater checked for anything? I've personally been checked more times fishing than the total number of pleasure boats I've seen checked.

Also, I've never seen any discount for a boating safety class. Had to have a coast guard class several years ago while in the military in order to rent boats from military recreation services.

As for worrying about others on the water, I don't. I drive with common sense and watch out for myself. No matter what safety class or test a person has to take its not going to stop stupidity. Also, if its your time to go then its your time to go only one person controls that and I don't think he cares if you passed a safety test or not as well. When its my time to go it will happen no matter where I'm at.

As I said before, if it scares you that much then stay at home.

Charlie

Charlie and Woody have both made some good points on this subject that I really cant counter either except to say I still will take one. I am looking at getting our sportmens ministry and Poor boys outdoors to sponsor one at FBC Mt washington . I do hate having the regime of Obama get into protecting the motherland waterways thats why we need to police ourselves and do everything in OUR power to keep them out.

[Duayne]

I'm not really for a bunch of regulations either, but I also know that the busier lakes get, the less you can rely on common sense. I personally have known three people who have died on the water. Two of those were in separate boat to boat hits. In both cases, the person I knew was a very experienced boater. In both cases, the reports say that both boats corrected the same way, then they both corrected again at least one time, always both correcting into each other. There is a proper way to correct so that means in both cases, one boat initially did the right thing and the other did not. I don't know if the people I knew were the ones that acted correctly or not. The person who acted properly then felt the need to go the other way, as did the other boat. In both cases, two people I know might still be alive today if all four boaters knew the protocol. Saying we should rely on common sense simply doesn't make sense. Saying that all boaters shouldn't be required to at least review proper boating protocol doesn't make sense. If it doesn't make sense than you can throw common sense out the window.

[flyfish]

"One quiz, one time, and that's it.......what's the big deal?"

Exactly! We have to have a drivers license to drive a car, a pilots license to fly a plane, so what can it hurt to have a boating license? Let's also think about the possible revenue stream for the state that could assist with enforcement on the water. The test will cost a few nickles, and then perhaps a few quarters every 4 years for a license renewal. That's a bit tongue in cheek, but you see what I'm getting at. Personally, I'd cough up $50 every few years if I knew there would be more enforcement on the water.

[ResidentCombo]

Lets require everyone to take a boater safety coarse. Sure lets add some more cost to everyone out there.

The Class is FREE! There is only a cost if you want to do it online..

If you have a group of people, they willcome and do it for you. After I took the class at the marina, we got the CO to come to our rescue squad meeting and did a class for the rescue squad. He said if you can get a group of a dozen or so people he would come teach it.

[fishincreek]

Lets require everyone to take a boater safety coarse. Sure lets add some more cost to everyone out there. Thats what we need. No matter how you take a boater test or try to regulate some new license its going to cost money to do this. Who will pay that bill?

Lets start policing ourselves and use some common sense on the water. I don't need the government or someone else out there running more of my life. I pay plenty of money to the government already for nothing, I don't need to pay more.

Charlie

Agree 100%!!!

[roadrunner]

If these boaters were first year boaters it might be an education problem however looking at there age I would bet they were both experienced boaters. I think the problem was probably carelessness of maybe impaired vision from sun or fog watching the electronics or a combination of circumstances. I do think we need educated boaters but I do not think this accident was from being uneducated boaters. When you drive a boat you can be easily distracted and I think the non boater can help by being another set of eyes and alert the boater when they see another boat.

[Duayne]

I would say a vast majority of people who have boated all their lives in KY still do not know which is Starboard and which is Port. Something that simple could make a huge difference, especially if a non-boater DID know, used a term in split second situation and the driver didn't know which was which. What happens when an experienced boater who doesn't know he's in a situation where he is to show his red light reacts differently than another boater who is expecting the proper reaction? The boats could turn into each other (and usually do). How many of you know what you are supposed to do if you are entering a main waterway from a tributary?

Tournament fishermen do lead the way in proactive actions by requiring life vests and safety checks, etc. There is nothing that says clubs and organizations can't be further proactive and require their members to be water certified. Nothing says they can't lead the way even if it isn't a state or federal requirement.

There is nothing that says fishermen, in general, can't lead the way in being proactive even if it isn't required.

I don't really fish tournaments and even though I read the regs, I haven't been certified. I plan to change that and I plan to get mine.