Boating Safety for kids

Gatto Nero · 08-29-2005, 06:42 PM

I understand why children under 16 cannot get certified to opera ten boats with more than 25hp, but shouldn't there be a better way to educate them anyway? There are lots of kids out there on little boats and they should be allowed, if not mandated, to get the education, or a portion thereof, that everyone else must have.

I recently bought a 13' boat with a 25hp engine so that my kids could get some freedom and enjoy the lake on their own a little bit. They are not old enough to get the certification but before I let them go I wanted to make sure they understood the rules and how to behave nonetheless.

I had them read the entire safety booklet several times then I did the on-line practice test with them. I then had them drive me around and watched their decision making in differnet situations. As a final step my wife agreed to have them tag along when she took the classroom course. That is where I learned the most so I thought they would get more out of it than just reading the book and listening to me.

We called and were told they could attend and participate in everything but the final exam. That sounded reasonable so we went ahead and sent them. Unfortunately, that was not the case. They were allowed to sit and listen but they were not allowed to participate in any way. After the first night my daughter came home very dejected about the course. When the instructor asked a question of the class she raised her hand to answer but was told that she was too young to participate. After that she lost interest very quickly. She refused to even go the 2nd night and sit there silent for 3 1/2 hours. I didn't make her go because I didn't want to leave her with a bad taste for boating or the class.

Perhaps there are good reasons why they aren't really allowed to participate in an adult oriented class. Maybe some kids just aren't mature enough and would bring the class to a lower level. But if that's the case then maybe the state should consider a separate class just for them. After all, it's probably not all that important that they know the ins and outs of trailering anyway. A simplified course would take far less time and still allow them to understand the responsibility of operating a boat safely.

Just my 2 cents.

Skipper of the Sea Que · 08-29-2005, 07:35 PM

I agree with your sentiment 100% Gatto Nero. It is never too early to teach youngsters about safe boating. I learned from my Dad. I'm not sure where he learned, his family never had a boat. But my Dad was expert at finding out what he needed to know to master just about anything.

Before I was old enough to drive a car my Dad and I took a Boater Safety course from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. I was allowed to participate in the class sessions (weekly for several weeks). I completed the course and received the certificate. For several years the family boat was kept in the ocean and then on the trailer to Winnie mid August for the rest of the season. The USCGA course I took (in Lynn MA) was geared to ocean boating and not lake Winnipesaukee specific. Later courses taught survival, skills, aiding tipped over sailboats and other interesting skills.

You may want to look at Power Squadron or USCGA courses for your youngsters. They may allow them to participate in the class. I also understand that those given around the Lakes area do include lake specific information. I'm sure others here will have more information for you.

My kids knew about the 150' rule, rafting, headway speed, no riding on gunwales and decision making early on. I would let them drive the boat while I was sitting next to them. We would talk about what was going on and what options and possibilities we had. My daughter could spot markers at night with a hand held penlight (she knew where those markers were). That doesn't help them maneuver the boat in tight places though. That and other boating skills take hands-on practice.

Good luck and safe boating to you and your children.

Aquadeziac · 08-31-2005, 08:02 PM

Then again, maybe they figure some of the kids would make some of the others in the class look like the boobs they are. It is tough having a 13 yr old looking smarter than the adult students!

JG1222 · 09-01-2005, 06:00 PM

I took the CGA course when I was 14 or 15. This was about 15 years ago, and I got a lot out of it, and they definitely welcomed me as a participant.

08-29-2005, 06:42 PM	#1
Gatto Nero Senior Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: Isola Gatto Nero Posts: 697 Thanks: 162 Thanked 263 Times in 81 Posts	Boating Safety for kids I understand why children under 16 cannot get certified to opera ten boats with more than 25hp, but shouldn't there be a better way to educate them anyway? There are lots of kids out there on little boats and they should be allowed, if not mandated, to get the education, or a portion thereof, that everyone else must have. I recently bought a 13' boat with a 25hp engine so that my kids could get some freedom and enjoy the lake on their own a little bit. They are not old enough to get the certification but before I let them go I wanted to make sure they understood the rules and how to behave nonetheless. I had them read the entire safety booklet several times then I did the on-line practice test with them. I then had them drive me around and watched their decision making in differnet situations. As a final step my wife agreed to have them tag along when she took the classroom course. That is where I learned the most so I thought they would get more out of it than just reading the book and listening to me. We called and were told they could attend and participate in everything but the final exam. That sounded reasonable so we went ahead and sent them. Unfortunately, that was not the case. They were allowed to sit and listen but they were not allowed to participate in any way. After the first night my daughter came home very dejected about the course. When the instructor asked a question of the class she raised her hand to answer but was told that she was too young to participate. After that she lost interest very quickly. She refused to even go the 2nd night and sit there silent for 3 1/2 hours. I didn't make her go because I didn't want to leave her with a bad taste for boating or the class. Perhaps there are good reasons why they aren't really allowed to participate in an adult oriented class. Maybe some kids just aren't mature enough and would bring the class to a lower level. But if that's the case then maybe the state should consider a separate class just for them. After all, it's probably not all that important that they know the ins and outs of trailering anyway. A simplified course would take far less time and still allow them to understand the responsibility of operating a boat safely. Just my 2 cents. __________________ La vita è buona su Isola Gatto Nero

08-29-2005, 07:35 PM	#2
Skipper of the Sea Que Deceased Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: 1/2 way between Boston & Providence Posts: 573 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 32 Thanked 55 Times in 22 Posts	Boater Education for under 16 I agree with your sentiment 100% Gatto Nero. It is never too early to teach youngsters about safe boating. I learned from my Dad. I'm not sure where he learned, his family never had a boat. But my Dad was expert at finding out what he needed to know to master just about anything. Before I was old enough to drive a car my Dad and I took a Boater Safety course from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary. I was allowed to participate in the class sessions (weekly for several weeks). I completed the course and received the certificate. For several years the family boat was kept in the ocean and then on the trailer to Winnie mid August for the rest of the season. The USCGA course I took (in Lynn MA) was geared to ocean boating and not lake Winnipesaukee specific. Later courses taught survival, skills, aiding tipped over sailboats and other interesting skills. You may want to look at Power Squadron or USCGA courses for your youngsters. They may allow them to participate in the class. I also understand that those given around the Lakes area do include lake specific information. I'm sure others here will have more information for you. My kids knew about the 150' rule, rafting, headway speed, no riding on gunwales and decision making early on. I would let them drive the boat while I was sitting next to them. We would talk about what was going on and what options and possibilities we had. My daughter could spot markers at night with a hand held penlight (she knew where those markers were). That doesn't help them maneuver the boat in tight places though. That and other boating skills take hands-on practice. Good luck and safe boating to you and your children. __________________ Amateur HAM Radio What is it? You'll be surprised. When all else fails Ham Radio still works. Shriners Hospitals *providing specialized care for children regardless of ability to pay*. Find out more or refer a patient.

08-31-2005, 08:02 PM	#3
Aquadeziac Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Concord NH Posts: 239 Thanks: 19 Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts	Then again, maybe they figure some of the kids would make some of the others in the class look like the boobs they are. It is tough having a 13 yr old looking smarter than the adult students! __________________ "He who dies with the most toys wins"

09-01-2005, 06:00 PM	#4
JG1222 Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pelham, NH Posts: 347 Thanks: 14 Thanked 4 Times in 2 Posts	Coast Guard Auxiliary I took the CGA course when I was 14 or 15. This was about 15 years ago, and I got a lot out of it, and they definitely welcomed me as a participant.