Boaters certificate question

Skip · 05-21-2008, 10:55 AM

Remember, the only person required to have the certificate is the boat operator.

It is more of a question of civil liability and insurance question for the merchant to make sure the customer operating the boat is properly qualified....but I can imagine situations where the person actually paying for the rental is not going to be the operator. I am aware of no legal requirement that the person actually renting the vessel hold a valid certificate.

As an editorial comment, isn't it a shame that something that should be as simple as the boating certificate requirement still generates so many questions & confusion years after its initial implementation?

Since it effects many folks that are non-resident tourists and the State relies so much on a positive tourism experience for a healthy economy, you would think that someone would step up to the plate and clean up the mess that the current regulations have caused.

Recently a similar issue regarding reciprocity with the State of Maine in reference to Driver Education requirements caused some confusion in the Conway area. Local State Representatives along with folks in Concord quickly stepped up to the plate and rectified the situation. Quite frankly it is an embarassment that this same spirit of cooperation and concern have not been taken in regards to the well known loopholes found in this State's Boating Safety Certificate regulations.

Sorry, back off the soapbox....

Skip

05-21-2008, 10:55 AM	#25
Skip Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Dover, NH Posts: 1,615 Thanks: 256 Thanked 514 Times in 182 Posts	Certificate questions... Remember, the only person required to have the certificate is the boat operator. It is more of a question of civil liability and insurance question for the merchant to make sure the customer operating the boat is properly qualified....but I can imagine situations where the person actually paying for the rental is not going to be the operator. I am aware of no legal requirement that the person actually renting the vessel hold a valid certificate. As an editorial comment, isn't it a shame that something that should be as simple as the boating certificate requirement still generates so many questions & confusion years after its initial implementation? Since it effects many folks that are non-resident tourists and the State relies so much on a positive tourism experience for a healthy economy, you would think that someone would step up to the plate and clean up the mess that the current regulations have caused. Recently a similar issue regarding reciprocity with the State of Maine in reference to Driver Education requirements caused some confusion in the Conway area. Local State Representatives along with folks in Concord quickly stepped up to the plate and rectified the situation. Quite frankly it is an embarassment that this same spirit of cooperation and concern have not been taken in regards to the well known loopholes found in this State's Boating Safety Certificate regulations. Sorry, back off the soapbox.... Skip