Boaters certificate question

[chipj29]

Does a company that rents boats require the people that rent them to have certificates?

[Wolfeboro_Baja]

Originally Posted by chipj29

Does a company that rents boats require the people that rent them to have certificates?

If you asked me, simple logic would dictate that they SHOULD have the certificate but I do not know if there is an actual requirement; perhaps Skip can enlighten us. After all, if you wanted to rent a car, you'd have to have a driver's license AND, as I recall, there is a minimum age requirement also!!

If marinas that rent don't require a certificate, they're just adding to the Capt. Bonehead problem that we already have out on the lake!

[chipj29]

Originally Posted by Wolfeboro_Baja

If you asked me, simple logic would dictate that they SHOULD have the certificate but I do not know if there is an actual requirement; perhaps Skip can enlighten us. After all, if you wanted to rent a car, you'd have to have a driver's license AND, as I recall, there is a minimum age requirement also!!

If marinas that rent don't require a certificate, they're just adding to the Capt. Bonehead problem that we already have out on the lake!

I can agree with the simple logic, however in this case, if I as a boat owner am required to have a cert., then so too should the renter.

WRT the car rentals, I don't think there is an official age requirement, it is just something the agencies use to keep the kids from beating the crap out of their rental fleet.

[Skip]

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

[Wolfeboro_Baja]

Originally Posted by chipj29

WRT the car rentals, I don't think there is an official age requirement, it is just something the agencies use to keep the kids from beating the crap out of their rental fleet.

I believe you are correct in that there is no minimum age required by law but if you want to rent a car, renters had better be prepared to meet the rental agency's age requirement!

Originally Posted by Skip

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

Get back up on that soapbox; you are the voice of reason here!! I agree with what you said 100%. As for it being required, it should be the same as it is to rent a car; no license, no rental.

[webmaster]

Originally Posted by chipj29

Does a company that rents boats require the people that rent them to have certificates?

All boat operators must have an approved safety certificate and that includes rentals. Many rental agents are certified to issue a 14 day temporary certificate. Here are some applicable links:

14 Day Temporary Safe Boating Certificate Agent Locations
14 Day Temporary Safe Boating Certificate Provisions
Safe Boating Certificate RSA
Temporary Safe Boating Certificate RSA
Certificate Not Required RSA

From the Anchor Marine Boat Rentals Web site:

Failure to produce a Safe Boating Certificate from your state or failure to pass the online test upon arrival will result in a forfeiture of your rental and you will be charged for the rental period. In the case of a multi-day rental the charge will be for the first day rental charge only.

[chipj29]

Interesting stuff. Thanks for the info guys. I didn't realize a temporary certificate was available.
Of course, none of this applies to me as I already have my certificate. I was just curious as to how rentals were handled.