New to boating...shocked safety course not mandatory!

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Woodsy

Boating navigation is pretty simple, and just requires you to remember a few simple rules...

1. If you are getting passed, you are the stand on boat. it is the other boats responsibility to pass you safely. However, while he is overtaking you, you are required to not make any sudden course corrections. It is recommended you hold steady on your course.

.

Woodsy,for this reason only,is why the 150 ft violation worries me much more than ROW.I almost always yield to any boat that has a chance of intersecting with my course.Maybe that's because I'm on a smaller craft( PWC) and figure I'm sometimes a target.I can see them coming so I can take corrective action.The yow-yow that overtook me Sunday at 40Mph+,30ft from my port side gave me no warning he was there.Thank God I didn't start to turn to the left.The reason we have 150 ft rule is for exactly a scenario I encountered.On roads we have lanes that we all must stay in.The water is one big canvas to head any direction we like.I am not the usual PWC rider that always going in circles and hard to figure out where they are going.Those riders actually bug the heck out of me cuz it's hard to judge what course to maintain.I always look over my shoulder before I change course abrutly but what if something was suddenly observed in front of me(log,swimmer) and I had to make a quick turn.I would have been toast.No,for me the 150 ft violation is scarier.

[Misty Blue]

Dear AA.

Thanks for the intro.

Broad Hopper is only partly correct when he states that you "need" to take the NH course. The USCG Auxiliary and the USPS courses are both NASBLA approved and accepted in all 50 states.

I think that what BH was leading to was that there are certain rules common only to NH waters, 150 safe passage rule, PWC rules, rafting rules, etc.

All USCG Aux instructors go through a rigorous training process that takes weeks, usually months to complete. All Auxiliary instructors in NH ( I asume USPS instructors as well) have had to attend classes dealing with local NH rules. If you take a class out of state they will not give you this information. However if you take a class in NH and go to Florida you will be responsible to become aware of the local rules.

Again, I am planning a class soon. Drop me a line and you will not be disappointed.

Misty Blue.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Woodsy,for this reason only,is why the 150 ft violation worries me much more than ROW.I almost always yield to any boat that has a chance of intersecting with my course.Maybe that's because I'm on a smaller craft( PWC) and figure I'm sometimes a target.I can see them coming so I can take corrective action.

Sorry to take issue with this but it's something that drives me nuts. As the "stand on" vessel, you are required to maintain course and speed if you can do so safely. When you yeild where you are not required to, you may be aggravating those of us who try to follow the rules by screwing up our plans to avoid you. I don't mean to imply that you should stand on right until the point of impact though...

[SIKSUKR]

Originally Posted by Dave R

Sorry to take issue with this but it's something that drives me nuts. As the "stand on" vessel, you are required to maintain course and speed if you can do so safely. When you yeild where you are not required to, you may be aggravating those of us who try to follow the rules by screwing up our plans to avoid you. I don't mean to imply that you should stand on right until the point of impact though...

Dave,I understand why we have stand on vessels and give way vessels.When two vessels are approaching each other we need a system to avoid collision or conflict.However.try crossing from Glendale to Timber on a busy Saturday with big boats coming at you from both sides at full speed in a little PWC,knowing how so many people feel about PWC's and how often boating rules are ignored and see if you feel comfortable maintaining your speed and course.When boats are coming from port and starboard I have to yield to the starboard vessel anyway.It's a little scary trying to thread the needle between intersecting craft and hope they see you or will abide by rules of navigation when your on a 10ft boat.When I yield,I am 1000 ft or more from any of these scenarios.I am not altering their course at all.In fact,I'm pretty sure I have not even become part of the other vessels equation.What is so wrong with me slowing down and yielding to other boats?Why would this "drive you so nuts" and why would you be "so aggravatted and screwed up"?You don't have to avoid me cuz I'm staying way out of the conflict.I want to stay as far away from "aggravated screwed up people who are driven nuts" as I can which is precisely my point.Sorry, I'll always err on the side of caution.

[BroadHopper]

I have to agree agree with SS. Even in a 21' boat the ride from Glendale to Timber can be frightning. It is like crossing 93 on foot during rush hour. I know these boaters are seasoned skippers otherwise 'The Wirches' will claim a fair share. Maybe the MP should sit here rather then remote places where there are no traffic.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Dave,I understand why we have stand on vessels and give way vessels.When two vessels are approaching each other we need a system to avoid collision or conflict.However.try crossing from Glendale to Timber on a busy Saturday with big boats coming at you from both sides at full speed in a little PWC,knowing how so many people feel about PWC's and how often boating rules are ignored and see if you feel comfortable maintaining your speed and course.When boats are coming from port and starboard I have to yield to the starboard vessel anyway.It's a little scary trying to thread the needle between intersecting craft and hope they see you or will abide by rules of navigation when your on a 10ft boat.When I yield,I am 1000 ft or more from any of these scenarios.I am not altering their course at all.In fact,I'm pretty sure I have not even become part of the other vessels equation.What is so wrong with me slowing down and yielding to other boats?Why would this "drive you so nuts" and why would you be "so aggravatted and screwed up"?You don't have to avoid me cuz I'm staying way out of the conflict.I want to stay as far away from "aggravated screwed up people who are driven nuts" as I can which is precisely my point.Sorry, I'll always err on the side of caution.

This is a vastly different scenario than stated on your original post on the subject. My aggravation is with folks 200 feet off my bow who suddenly slow while they are right in my intended path that I just altered to pass safely behind them had they maintained speed and course. My observsations are that PWCs are the worst offenders in this regard. They force me to either alter course more severely to pass behind them or alter course to "cut them off", so to speak. Happens all the time. I have even tried to alter course way ahead of time and found that the PWCs are suddenly doing doughnuts, U- turns, or are idling motionlessly waiting for me to pass so they can jump my wake. I find that it's easiest just ignore them until I am quite near because it's impossible to predict what they'll do next. I think this is where you and I suffer a disconnect. I can FULLY understand why you do what you do. I bet most boat operators have the same problems and solutions with PWC operators who also have developed their own solutions for the problem of boaters who are ignoring them.

If you are trying to cross from Glendale to Timber Island during busy times, you have my sympathy. My recommendation would be to merge with traffic going 90 degrees from your intended course and tack once to get where you are going as safely as possible. This is what cross traffic has to do in busy, foggy places like the English Channel and it works very well.

[SIKSUKR]

There's nothing "vastly different" in my second post.I said I almost always yield to other boats.Why is that such a problem for you?Would you rather have it the other way?I'm being extra carefull.I can't believe you have an issue with someone thinking safety first.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

There's nothing "vastly different" in my second post.I said I almost always yield to other boats.Why is that such a problem for you?Would you rather have it the other way?I'm being extra carefull.I can't believe you have an issue with someone thinking safety first.

I apologize for being so abrupt in my original response. It was uncalled for. It really does not make me all that aggravated nor does it really drive me nuts. I thought my second response was a bit nicer. I have not been myself this week.

I think things would be better if everyone followed the "stand on" and "give way" guidelines. That's all. If everyone did this, no one would have to worry because it works. I also think things would be better if there were no known diseases and no one ever made mistakes too...

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

{snip} When I yield,I am 1000 ft or more from any of these scenarios.I am not altering their course at all.In fact,I'm pretty sure I have not even become part of the other vessels equation. {snip}

This raises an interesting question for all boaters, that is when (time before or distance from collision) do you decide that the give way vessel isn't going to give way according to the RoW rules and take action yourself ? Also when (time before or distance from collision) do you take action when you're the give way vessel ? I guess that's 2 questions. It's probably too hard to describe a general rule that covers every situation and accounts for all traffic scenarios so lets limit it to a simple 2 boat, 90 degree encounter.

As I type these questions I'm trying to recall last weekend where a boat (2 actually) were coming from btw Diamond and Rattlesnake as I was returning to Alton. I was tracking them and lost the lead boat in the glare off my windsheild. When I stood up he hadn't altered either course nor speed and I watched a bit more and then pulled backed on the throttle just a moment before he did. He slowed and I went back to speed. I'm going to estimate I throttled back maybe 5+ secs (240+ ft at my typical speed) before collision. On the other hand when I've turned to starboard or slowed to give way, I can generally count at least 10 secs btw when I sight him in front of me and when I cross his wake.

[gtxrider]

1. How is it possible to rent a boat or jetski without being certified? Would AVIS rent a car to a person with no license?

2. If we see a person violating the law should we notify the MP?


I just got back from two great weeks but I saw a few jerks riding boats and jetskis. I know that some of the jetski riders were under age or have no certification. In one case the Mount laid on the HORN when one kid was running around the Mount while passing Sandy Point (not a lot a room in the channel there).
Yeah the Mount always gives the horn a short blast at the Point but this toot was early and LLLLOOONNNNGGGG.

PS, its a Yellow and Silver Sea Doo keep a look out in Alton Bay!!!!

MAC, My brain hurts.....

[SBC]

Originally Posted by gtxrider

1. How is it possible to rent a boat or jetski without being certified? Would AVIS rent a car to a person with no license?

2. If we see a person violating the law should we notify the MP?

1. This year, if you are between the ages of 16 & 38, inclusive, you need a state approved NASBLA certification to operate any boat over 25hp. Under 16-no operation of that rented PWC (typically > 90hp). Sure they give a short course and a temporary license at the rental place but how much attention do you think a person pays when they are itching to feel the power between their legs and the splash in their face?

2. Would you report a vehicle doing doughnuts on your street? How about that motorcycle speeding past your child's school? What if a truck swerved at you while you were riding your bicycle? It's no different if it's a boat, jet-ski or lake boat.

If you see someone jeapordizing the safety of others then you have every right to report it to the authorities to protect you and others on your street/waterway.

Your choice...

[ApS]

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Woodsy,for this reason only,is why the 150 ft violation worries me much more than ROW...

The yo-yo that overtook me Sunday at 40Mph+,30ft from my port side gave me no warning he was there.Thank God I didn't start to turn to the left.The reason we have 150 ft rule is for exactly a scenario I encountered...

I am not the usual PWC rider that always going in circles and hard to figure out where they are going.Those riders actually bug the heck out of me cuz it's hard to judge what course to maintain.I always look over my shoulder before I change course abruptly.

No,for me the 150 ft violation is scarier.

SIKSUKR...We agree!

As one who spends most of the time having the RoW (sailing), boaters who choose to yield at 150-feet are worrisome. Nowadays, there can be only 1½ seconds to cross 150-feet. I signal a warning at about 500-600 feet distance.

I've noticed that some Jet-Skis have rearview mirrors. Perhaps you could consider a retrofit.

(Unless you "do circles" — then you might get dizzy).

[KonaChick]

SBC..I thought the rule was if you're under 16, you can operate anything over 25hp as long as there was someone on board who was over 16 and had completed the safety course. You state under 16-no operation. Is this just a rule for renters of pwc's?? Thanks!

[SBC]

KonaChick,

Yes, over 16 and have passed the course-go for it. If there is a certificate holding adult on-board the same vessel any companion non-certified person can operate over 25hp.

I don't think any rental place would assume the liabilty associated with rental to anyone under 16.

I don't think I would let an six-seven-eight year old drive anything except a row or paddle boat without supervision though. Just common parental sense and knowing the responsibility level of the child.