Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post - New to boating...shocked safety course not mandatory!

Misty Blue · 08-05-2005, 10:30 AM

Please folks, give me a chance to vent.

I have been a CG Auxiliary instructor since 1988. I have taught over one thousand students. Add my wife's students and the numbers approach 2500.

The "phase in period" to give the NHMP time to educate everyone sounded like a good idea. It didn't work.

The NHMP was not overwhelmed by students. Nor was the USCG Auxiliary or the Power Squadron. The students did not come!

Over and over again calsses were scheduled and had to be cancled due to LACK OF STUDENTS! Why?

My thought is that most of the boaters in NH are not from around here. They come from out of state. When they are here they don't want to spend their valuable fun time in a classroom. They may be convinced to take a class over the winter out of state (legal move) but are reluctant to take one here during the summer.

Educated boater identification: Flags? Stickers? What do they mean? They are no indication that the person at the helm knows his stuff. What we need is to put some teeth in the boating education law.

Over and over again I have heard people who are willing to "take a chance" on the $50 fine. No big deal. This happens all the time.

How about this. Enact legislation that removes the violating vessel from the water. Yup. If a vessel is pulled over for a violation and there is no one on board that can produce a safe boating certificate (from any state or authorized agency) the vessels annual registration decal must be delivered to NHMP within 24 hours. No flags or ribbons. No education, no registration. Period.

With this "big stick" policy owners of boats and jet skis (from my experiance the worst violaters of the education rules) will DEMAND that their boats do not get underway without an educated boater on board. It is that simple.

Lastly, while I am still on a tangent, I do not recommend the on line or vidio courses. They just are not enough. Would you feel OK if the guy fixing your kid's brakes learned his trade from a vidio? No mater what they say without a proctored exam. it is not NASBLA approved. It is only good in NH.

What's more it is not enough. As Broad Hopper said to have an instructor who can answer questions and "feel out" the students is vital. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to get a real boating education.

I am planning a mid week class later this month in Moultonborough. If you are interested drop me a post or call 455-7178.

Thanks....I feel better!

Misty Blue

08-05-2005, 10:30 AM	#30
Misty Blue Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 658 Thanks: 121 Thanked 283 Times in 98 Posts	Boating Ecucation Please folks, give me a chance to vent. I have been a CG Auxiliary instructor since 1988. I have taught over one thousand students. Add my wife's students and the numbers approach 2500. The "phase in period" to give the NHMP time to educate everyone sounded like a good idea. It didn't work. The NHMP was not overwhelmed by students. Nor was the USCG Auxiliary or the Power Squadron. The students did not come! Over and over again calsses were scheduled and had to be cancled due to LACK OF STUDENTS! Why? My thought is that most of the boaters in NH are not from around here. They come from out of state. When they are here they don't want to spend their valuable fun time in a classroom. They may be convinced to take a class over the winter out of state (legal move) but are reluctant to take one here during the summer. Educated boater identification: Flags? Stickers? What do they mean? They are no indication that the person at the helm knows his stuff. What we need is to put some teeth in the boating education law. Over and over again I have heard people who are willing to "take a chance" on the $50 fine. No big deal. This happens all the time. How about this. Enact legislation that removes the violating vessel from the water. Yup. If a vessel is pulled over for a violation and there is no one on board that can produce a safe boating certificate (from any state or authorized agency) the vessels annual registration decal must be delivered to NHMP within 24 hours. No flags or ribbons. No education, no registration. Period. With this "big stick" policy owners of boats and jet skis (from my experiance the worst violaters of the education rules) will DEMAND that their boats do not get underway without an educated boater on board. It is that simple. Lastly, while I am still on a tangent, I do not recommend the on line or vidio courses. They just are not enough. Would you feel OK if the guy fixing your kid's brakes learned his trade from a vidio? No mater what they say without a proctored exam. it is not NASBLA approved. It is only good in NH. What's more it is not enough. As Broad Hopper said to have an instructor who can answer questions and "feel out" the students is vital. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to get a real boating education. I am planning a mid week class later this month in Moultonborough. If you are interested drop me a post or call 455-7178. Thanks....I feel better! Misty Blue