Temporary Boating Certificate Change

OCDACTIVE · 06-08-2011, 04:04 PM

Safe Boaters of New Hampshire

“To promote safety through education and legislation that works”

http://www.SBONH.ORG

In Water Evaluation helps to improve Temporary Boating Certificate for Boat Rentals

For Immediate Release

Safe Boaters of New Hampshire is proud to announce the filing of a new bill to improve safety on all New Hampshire’s waterways. Rep. John Hikel of Goffstown filed a bill amending the states “Temporary Boating Certificate” to include an in water evaluation.

Currently all boaters in New Hampshire must take a boating safety class and a proctored exam to obtain a life time boating certificate. These certificates have been paramount in increasing awareness and educating the boating public. Since their inception NH has achieved the best boating safety record in New England according to the US Coast Guard.

To allow for beginners and out of state tourists to experience the thrill of boating in NH, they can obtain a temporary safety certificate from licensed marinas. While this has been a controversial issue regarding inexperienced boaters, the temporary certificates have been crucial to marinas that rely on boat rentals as a significant part of their yearly income.

While many states also require some type of safety certificates, which are reciprocal in the state of New Hampshire, many states do not require such a license. In many instances this temporary certificate allows these experienced boaters to rent a boat while vacationing in NH without having to spend an entire day in a classroom.

The current Temporary License can be obtained one time only in a calendar year and is good for 14 days. The multiple choice test is administered by certified marinas and personnel. If the individual fails they cannot retake the test for 24 hours.

However while this procedure tests a person’s understanding of the rules of the water, it does not test a person’s ability to pilot a boat. The change requested on behalf of Safe Boaters of New Hampshire asks that a certified individual renting the boat also do an in water evaluation to make sure renters are competent to safely boat on New Hampshire’s Lakes and waterways. Many reputable marinas already conduct this practice and SBONH feels it should be uniform for all marinas to do the same.

This new law should improve safety of inexperienced boaters on the lake as well as the general boating public. This will help ensure that individuals are not putting themselves, their passengers or other boaters around them at risk.

06-08-2011, 04:04 PM	#1
OCDACTIVE Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Fort Myers FL / Moultonboro Posts: 1,045 Thanks: 444 Thanked 574 Times in 178 Posts	Temporary Boating Certificate Change Safe Boaters of New Hampshire “To promote safety through education and legislation that works” http://www.SBONH.ORG In Water Evaluation helps to improve Temporary Boating Certificate for Boat Rentals For Immediate Release Safe Boaters of New Hampshire is proud to announce the filing of a new bill to improve safety on all New Hampshire’s waterways. Rep. John Hikel of Goffstown filed a bill amending the states “Temporary Boating Certificate” to include an in water evaluation. Currently all boaters in New Hampshire must take a boating safety class and a proctored exam to obtain a life time boating certificate. These certificates have been paramount in increasing awareness and educating the boating public. Since their inception NH has achieved the best boating safety record in New England according to the US Coast Guard. To allow for beginners and out of state tourists to experience the thrill of boating in NH, they can obtain a temporary safety certificate from licensed marinas. While this has been a controversial issue regarding inexperienced boaters, the temporary certificates have been crucial to marinas that rely on boat rentals as a significant part of their yearly income. While many states also require some type of safety certificates, which are reciprocal in the state of New Hampshire, many states do not require such a license. In many instances this temporary certificate allows these experienced boaters to rent a boat while vacationing in NH without having to spend an entire day in a classroom. The current Temporary License can be obtained one time only in a calendar year and is good for 14 days. The multiple choice test is administered by certified marinas and personnel. If the individual fails they cannot retake the test for 24 hours. However while this procedure tests a person’s understanding of the rules of the water, it does not test a person’s ability to pilot a boat. The change requested on behalf of Safe Boaters of New Hampshire asks that a certified individual renting the boat also do an in water evaluation to make sure renters are competent to safely boat on New Hampshire’s Lakes and waterways. Many reputable marinas already conduct this practice and SBONH feels it should be uniform for all marinas to do the same. This new law should improve safety of inexperienced boaters on the lake as well as the general boating public. This will help ensure that individuals are not putting themselves, their passengers or other boaters around them at risk. __________________ Have you had your Vessel Inspected Yet?