Commercial boater's licence

[Will]

SBC, see thats what I dont agree with. You cannot sit there and tell me that the Marine Patrol's course and license will give you as much experience as 300-400 hours on the water, and a large test. I remember when I got mine, 360 hours, a physical, and a 1400 question test with the towing endorsement. Theres no way that the same experienced is gained through the marine patrols "play license"

Cheers

[SBC]

Originally Posted by Will

SBC, see thats what I dont agree with. You cannot sit there and tell me that the Marine Patrol's course and license will give you as much experience as 300-400 hours on the water, and a large test. I remember when I got mine, 360 hours, a physical, and a 1400 question test with the towing endorsement. Theres no way that the same experienced is gained through the marine patrols "play license"

Cheers

I agree with you, the Marine Patrol course will not give you that experience. It is only a test of your knowledge related to NH Boating laws and the requirements of equipment on board a commercial vessel. With the NH commercial license you need OJT (on the job training). WinnChris asked about the need for previous experience. Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on you viewpoint, you don't need previous experience but it sure would help. Sounds a little 'catch 22-ish' doesn't it?

You have to wonder if you were the director of a summer camp would you hire a person to be your waterfront manager if they did not have any experience with boats and then ask them to obtain their commercial boating license? Let's hope that common sense prevails in a scenario like that.

Thought: let's start a common sense and courtious operator epidemic on the NH waters and hope that it spreads rapidly.