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Woodsy · 03-02-2006, 03:22 PM

Skip.... Your killing me! I just spit Diet Coke all over my screen! LOL!

As for my opinion on the proposal...

1. Flags & Whistles for Human Powered Craft: I really don't have a problem with it as long as the flags required aren't too large in size. I am thinking a flag requirement along the lines of a flag used on a childs bike. Not too big, but visible. Evenstar has a valid point that a flag that is too large will cause some issues with smaller craft. There should be an amendment to specify the minimum flag size required. A whistle can be easily & comfortably worn around your neck on a lanyard. I still wear a whistle around my neck even though my boat has a horn. Its a 110 Db Military Police whistle I got from the MP at Hanscom AFB, and it has come in quite handy as an attention getter.

2. The orange stern light: I don't like this one only because it isn't standard anywhere else in the world. It also goes against the USCG requirements for navigation lights. It could be very confusing out on the ocean or if you trailered your boat to another state or if tourist brought thier boat to NH. I predict this section will be struck from the final bill.

3. Skier Flag Requirement: I don't have an issue with this part at all. Anything to make a skiier more visible doesn't bother me. It is a requirement in other states and seems to work.

4. Shore Lighting: I have an issue with this as all boats are required to display a white light. So now the people on shore or the islands cannot have any white light? I think this needs to be amended to read red, green and possibly orange lights. I cannot fathom the cost if homeowners are required to replace all of thier light fixtures to cut down on light pollution... althogh the stargazing quality would go way up! I think this section will be amended.

5. Swimming Requirements: I personally don't have much of a problem with it. Its not saying you can't swim more than 150' away from shore, its just saying you need an observer in a boat if you do. I liken it to stepping off the sidewalk into the road. If your going to swim where boats are not required to be at headway speed, then you need to be highly visible. I do think this should be amended for lake size... its silly requirement for some ponds in the state.

6 & 7: Safe Boater Certificate: I think its a great idea to change the course requirements to insure a proctored exam. I do have an issue with the logistics of an on-water boating test. There is some serious issues to be ironed out with this section, especially when it comes to liability. Whose boat does someone take the test on? What if there is an accident?

The temporary certificate requirement seems to be rather vague... I think temporary certificates should be gone completely. But then again, I don't make money renting boats. If you are going to give out temporary certificates, then they should be physically issued by the MP so they can verify and track who got the temp BSC. You can't get a drivers learning permit without proof of ID, the same should go for a BSC.

But maybe I am missing something? Skip?

Woodsy

03-02-2006, 03:22 PM	#12
Woodsy Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Weirs Beach Posts: 1,968 Thanks: 80 Thanked 980 Times in 440 Posts	Skip.... Your killing me! I just spit Diet Coke all over my screen! LOL! As for my opinion on the proposal... 1. Flags & Whistles for Human Powered Craft: I really don't have a problem with it as long as the flags required aren't too large in size. I am thinking a flag requirement along the lines of a flag used on a childs bike. Not too big, but visible. Evenstar has a valid point that a flag that is too large will cause some issues with smaller craft. There should be an amendment to specify the minimum flag size required. A whistle can be easily & comfortably worn around your neck on a lanyard. I still wear a whistle around my neck even though my boat has a horn. Its a 110 Db Military Police whistle I got from the MP at Hanscom AFB, and it has come in quite handy as an attention getter. 2. The orange stern light: I don't like this one only because it isn't standard anywhere else in the world. It also goes against the USCG requirements for navigation lights. It could be very confusing out on the ocean or if you trailered your boat to another state or if tourist brought thier boat to NH. I predict this section will be struck from the final bill. 3. Skier Flag Requirement: I don't have an issue with this part at all. Anything to make a skiier more visible doesn't bother me. It is a requirement in other states and seems to work. 4. Shore Lighting: I have an issue with this as all boats are required to display a white light. So now the people on shore or the islands cannot have any white light? I think this needs to be amended to read red, green and possibly orange lights. I cannot fathom the cost if homeowners are required to replace all of thier light fixtures to cut down on light pollution... althogh the stargazing quality would go way up! I think this section will be amended. 5. Swimming Requirements: I personally don't have much of a problem with it. Its not saying you can't swim more than 150' away from shore, its just saying you need an observer in a boat if you do. I liken it to stepping off the sidewalk into the road. If your going to swim where boats are not required to be at headway speed, then you need to be highly visible. I do think this should be amended for lake size... its silly requirement for some ponds in the state. 6 & 7: Safe Boater Certificate: I think its a great idea to change the course requirements to insure a proctored exam. I do have an issue with the logistics of an on-water boating test. There is some serious issues to be ironed out with this section, especially when it comes to liability. Whose boat does someone take the test on? What if there is an accident? The temporary certificate requirement seems to be rather vague... I think temporary certificates should be gone completely. But then again, I don't make money renting boats. If you are going to give out temporary certificates, then they should be physically issued by the MP so they can verify and track who got the temp BSC. You can't get a drivers learning permit without proof of ID, the same should go for a BSC. But maybe I am missing something? Skip? Woodsy __________________ The only way to eliminate ignorant behavior is through education. You can't fix stupid.