Boaters certificate question

[CaptDan]

Originally Posted by secondcurve

Listen to Skip. He does his homework.

What he is saying, I believe, is that if you choose to boat in NH using a boating certificate that was earned online from another state, after the NH cutoff, then you are opening yourself up to potential liability. For example, if you plow into another boat and kill someone and your license was earned yesterday, in the state of Maine, online, you're going to likely be sued in civil court. If you have lots of assets, you potentially could be exposed to a large judgement. The logic behind the case will be that you didn't comply with the legalities of NH law regarding boater safety and as a result you are liable for killing someone since you didn't bother to get the proper safety training.

True... however. If one kills someone on the lake, NH boating cert OR not... your liable...

[VtSteve]

I think regardless of the state or legal requirement, Every boater should take these courses and online boating aids. They're quite well done now, and are a Must for newbies.

I am a bit disappointed at the lack of course here from the USCG, given their new mansion on the lake. The PS can only do so much. The more specialized training and education needed on much larger lakes, this one here, and the Great Lakes especially. Everyone should review these online training aids at a bare minimum.

[Airwaves]

Originally posted by VtSteve
I am a bit disappointed at the lack of course here from the USCG, given their new mansion on the lake. The PS can only do so much.

I can shed a little light on that by briefly talking out of school. (don't tell anyone )

When I was actively involved in the USCGAux my Division did try to establish a presence on Lake Winnipesaukee. We conducted a number of what were then called Courtesy Marine Examinations (now called Vessel Safety Checks) and we had hopes of establishing at least one flotilla on the lake. The Marine Patrol requested that we stop doing them because they said essentially it was their turf. I personally had a conversation with the director (don't recall if it was Flynn, Barrett or someone else) about this.

Also you may remember the USCGAux briefly set up a radio direction post somewhere near Gunstock. I think it was at the request of CG Group Portland, but I could be wrong about that, because chatter on VHF Channel 16 from the lake was inteferring with Coast Guard communication on the distress frequency out of Portland. That didn't go over very well either.

So basically the Coast Guard Auxililary (the civilian/education arm of the Coast Guard) was invited to leave the lake.

If I don't have this exactly right forgive me, it was a while ago (I want to say early to mid 90's). Perhaps one of the other USCGAuxiliarists that are still active on the forum can shed more light.

There are Coast Guard Auxiliary education courses held in some of the NH border towns with Mass and ME that cover NH regulation.

What USCG mansion on the lake are you talking about, did I miss an email from someone????

[NightWing]

Originally Posted by VtSteve

I am a bit disappointed at the lack of course here from the USCG, given their new mansion on the lake.

The CG has no facilities on the lake. The big building on the lake in Glendale is part of the NH Department Of Safety and is NH Marine Patrol Headquarters.

The big 41 footer out front was CG surplus and has been operated on the lake by MP for several years.