California Boaters License

[DWC]

I tried to find the CA accident data to see how much safer we all are. Weird, no data available and all by request. Hit the AI button and got this. Don’t think for a second if the numbers were getting better it would be all over the interweb

 

[4Waters]

So you don’t need it, if you’re racing or part of a regatta . This shit is amazing!

SOB!! Now you tell me. All I do is race around the lake.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Just so we’re clear it’s not a license.

 

[mobldj]

you learn lots of stuff.and it gets you a discount on your insurance. you think you know everything about boating..........you dont

 

[BoatCop]

you learn lots of stuff.and it gets you a discount on your insurance. you think you know everything about boating..........you dont

True story.

Bob Teague went through one of my classes years ago. After it was over, he came up and shook my hand, saying he was amazed about how much he DIDN'T know about Safe and Legal boating.

 

[BoatCop]

So you don’t need it, if you’re racing or part of a regatta . This shit is amazing!

Just like almost any other Boating Law. Participants in sanctioned/permitted events (marine events, races, regattas, parades, etc) don't have to comply with pretty much ANY Boating Safety laws while under the auspices of the permit, and while within the permitted race or event area & times. Registration? Nope. Hull ID #s? Nope. Safe loading/Capacity/Horsepower? Nope. Sound levels/mufflers? Nope. Speed/No Wake restrictions? Nope. Reckless Operation? (not involving non-participants)? Nope. Coast Guard approved life jackets? Nope. (Lifeline race jackets aren't USCG Approved). Floatation/Construction standards? Nope. Backfire Flame prevention? Nope. Mechanical (electrical/fuel system standards? Nope. OUI/DUI on the water? YES! (applies on any waterway at any time).

Just like auto races NASCAR, ARCA, Indy, or any other circuit. Highway Patrol isn't going to go out onto the track and start checking cars and drivers.

So it's perfectly reasonable to include Boater Education requirements in those laws that are exempted during authorized Marine Events.

"Racing" means sanctioned/permitted events. Not just someone choosing off their buddy out on the lake on Memorial Weekend.

Plus, collisions, accidents, injuries, deaths in sanctioned events are generally not investigated by law enforcement, nor included in any Recreational Boating reports or statistics.

 

[BoatCop]

I tried to find the CA accident data to see how much safer we all are. Weird, no data available and all by request. Hit the AI button and got this. Don’t think for a second if the numbers were getting better it would be all over the interweb

View attachment 1490835

No concrete figures can be ascertained at this time due to several factors. First, the length of time that the (California) law has been in effect. Second, the years of 2020 through 2023 are pretty useless for statistics, due to COVID and the lock downs-closures that kept the majority of recreational boaters off the water. There isn't sufficient solid data to determine how the addition of this requirement will affect accident numbers.

But while I was on the job, I did my own informal "study" on Boater Education and found just looking at raw numbers, the States that implemented mandatory Boater Education saw substantial reduction in accident numbers for the targeted* demographic, While those not subject to the Education requirement saw increases or accident numbers remained static.

*(Some states only required it for youths, year of birth, PWCs, etc)

The below popped up on a simple search for: "education requirements effect on boating accidents"
-------------------------------
Yes, boating education requirements significantly reduce boating accidents and fatalities by equipping operators with the knowledge and skills to navigate safely, understand regulations and respond to emergencies.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Why Boater Education Matters:
*Boater education courses cover essential topics like boat handling, navigation, weather awareness, safety equipment, and boating laws.
*These courses help boaters understand how to operate their vessels safely and responsibly, reducing the risk of accidents caused by operator error.
*According to the American Boating Association, nearly 70% of boating accidents are attributed to operator error.
*The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that boating fatalities are second only to highway fatalities.
*The U.S. Coast Guard strongly recommends that boaters take an approved safety course to help avoid accidents and prevent deaths on the water.

Statistics Show the Impact:
*Data from the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety indicates that a large percentage of boating fatalities occur on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.
*In 2022, 74% of boating deaths were in vessels commanded by skippers with no known operator instruction.
*Conversely, only 14% of the 636 reported deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received a nationally approved boating safety education certificate.

Mandatory Education Requirements:
*Many states have implemented mandatory boating safety education requirements to ensure that all operators have a basic understanding of safe boating practices.
*For example, in Arizona, while there are no mandatory education requirements, it is recommended that all boaters take a boating safety course before operation.

 

[River Dirt 2]

Completed

Now let's require voter ID in this god forsaken state!

 

[DWC]

No concrete figures can be ascertained at this time due to several factors. First, the length of time that the (California) law has been in effect. Second, the years of 2020 through 2023 are pretty useless for statistics, due to COVID and the lock downs-closures that kept the majority of recreational boaters off the water. There isn't sufficient solid data to determine how the addition of this requirement will affect accident numbers.

But while I was on the job, I did my own informal "study" on Boater Education and found just looking at raw numbers, the States that implemented mandatory Boater Education saw substantial reduction in accident numbers for the targeted* demographic, While those not subject to the Education requirement saw increases or accident numbers remained static.

*(Some states only required it for youths, year of birth, PWCs, etc)

The below popped up on a simple search for: "education requirements effect on boating accidents"
-------------------------------
Yes, boating education requirements significantly reduce boating accidents and fatalities by equipping operators with the knowledge and skills to navigate safely, understand regulations and respond to emergencies.

Here's a more detailed explanation:

Why Boater Education Matters:
*Boater education courses cover essential topics like boat handling, navigation, weather awareness, safety equipment, and boating laws.
*These courses help boaters understand how to operate their vessels safely and responsibly, reducing the risk of accidents caused by operator error.
*According to the American Boating Association, nearly 70% of boating accidents are attributed to operator error.
*The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) reports that boating fatalities are second only to highway fatalities.
*The U.S. Coast Guard strongly recommends that boaters take an approved safety course to help avoid accidents and prevent deaths on the water.

Statistics Show the Impact:
*Data from the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety indicates that a large percentage of boating fatalities occur on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.
*In 2022, 74% of boating deaths were in vessels commanded by skippers with no known operator instruction.
*Conversely, only 14% of the 636 reported deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had received a nationally approved boating safety education certificate.

Mandatory Education Requirements:
*Many states have implemented mandatory boating safety education requirements to ensure that all operators have a basic understanding of safe boating practices.
*For example, in Arizona, while there are no mandatory education requirements, it is recommended that all boaters take a boating safety course before operation.

What’s the percentage of accidents caused by rentals vs the % of rentals. When they truly believe in safety I’ll jump on board. When they do safety checks before/while I launch instead of “random” on the water checks. I’ll believe they care about my safety.

 

[sirbob]

Isn’t it graduated by age when you need it?

Does anybody know or have a grid that would show the age and year you need to have it?

 

[4Waters]

Isn’t it graduated by age when you need it?

Does anybody know or have a grid that would show the age and year you need to have it?

Everyone needs it now

 

[J DUNN]

I did a twin screw powerboat course at OCC sailing school in Newport Bay. Basic maneuvering course and got the card after a short test. Course only taught me how to teach.

 

[sirbob]

Everyone needs it now

Well… darn.

 

[50onRED]

I paid the $10 and I’m half way through the course. Yes there’s lots of information that will never apply to me like where to dump human excrement….. which in our case is “hey can we stop so I can jump in the water and “cool off” “ no floaters folks…
But for the most part the information is a good refresher to basic laws and waterway etiquette which I think we could all use a lesson or two.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

I paid the $10 and I’m half way through the course. Yes there’s lots of information that will never apply to me like where to dump human excrement….. which in our case is “hey can we stop so I can jump in the water and “cool off” “ no floaters folks…
But for the most part the information is a good refresher to basic laws and waterway etiquette which I think we could all use a lesson or two.

The shitter part was actually pretty cool always wondered how they got rid of the poo poo.

 

[QC22]

Everyone needs it now

When this thread started last week I was reminded that I finally had to do it. I stomped around, complained, threw shit and then decided I needed to just get it done. So I went to the Boat US site and started to create an account and it acted like I already had one. So I guessed at login stuff, got really lucky as the first email I tried worked. Went through the normal shit, and WTF? Apparently I was bored one day and completed the course in 2009!! Downloaded the completion dealio, paid the $10, submitted and done. I love little surprises like that!

 

[GETBOATS]

The horn blasts is what entertained me. Imagine for a moment, (took the test Thursday), Pick a water way we all frequent, if horn blasts were used when passing, leaving dock, ect. It would be nothing but Horn blasts........LOL

 

[50onRED]

The horn blasts is what entertained me. Imagine for a moment, (took the test Thursday), Pick a water way we all frequent, if horn blasts were used when passing, leaving dock, ect. It would be nothing but Horn blasts........LOL

Yeah it would basically sound like Times Square in rush hour.

 

[Bigbore500r]

Just like almost any other Boating Law. Participants in sanctioned/permitted events (marine events, races, regattas, parades, etc) don't have to comply with pretty much ANY Boating Safety laws while under the auspices of the permit, and while within the permitted race or event area & times. Registration? Nope. Hull ID #s? Nope. Safe loading/Capacity/Horsepower? Nope. Sound levels/mufflers? Nope. Speed/No Wake restrictions? Nope. Reckless Operation? (not involving non-participants)? Nope. Coast Guard approved life jackets? Nope. (Lifeline race jackets aren't USCG Approved). Floatation/Construction standards? Nope. Backfire Flame prevention? Nope. Mechanical (electrical/fuel system standards? Nope. OUI/DUI on the water? YES! (applies on any waterway at any time).

Just like auto races NASCAR, ARCA, Indy, or any other circuit. Highway Patrol isn't going to go out onto the track and start checking cars and drivers.

So it's perfectly reasonable to include Boater Education requirements in those laws that are exempted during authorized Marine Events.

"Racing" means sanctioned/permitted events. Not just someone choosing off their buddy out on the lake on Memorial Weekend.

Plus, collisions, accidents, injuries, deaths in sanctioned events are generally not investigated by law enforcement, nor included in any Recreational Boating reports or statistics.

I know, Im being facetious, because the CA only card is ridiculous. I get why it isn't required for sanctioned racing events.

On another front - what is your take on CA's position that this card is not required to rent and operate a rental boat / PWC on CA waterways, around other boaters? That is the real "middle finger" to everyone who owns, registers, insures and maintains their watercraft - to be stopped and checked for a CA Boaters card, meanwhile Juan Taboneya in the rental pontoon (who's never driven a boat before) can cruise on by with a load of 8 passengers, and zero responsability to be accountable for what you are being fined for. Juan can also drive his rental boat around your family, near your kids in the water, and take that sucker to the fuel docks witih zero knowledge or requirement to know what he's doing.

 

[QC22]

Yeah it would basically sound like Times Square in rush hour.

I was thinking about this going through the Channel yesterday. The noise wouldn’t stop.

 

[Boatymcboatface]

I know, Im being facetious, because the CA only card is ridiculous. I get why it isn't required for sanctioned racing events.

On another front - what is your take on CA's position that this card is not required to rent and operate a rental boat / PWC on CA waterways, around other boaters? That is the real "middle finger" to everyone who owns, registers, insures and maintains their watercraft - to be stopped and checked for a CA Boaters card, meanwhile Juan Taboneya in the rental pontoon (who's never driven a boat before) can cruise on by with a load of 8 passengers, and zero responsability to be accountable for what you are being fined for. Juan can also drive his rental boat around your family, near your kids in the water, and take that sucker to the fuel docks witih zero knowledge or requirement to know what he's doing.

I’ve been on RDP for a little while now. It’s funny Juan seems to be the only guy who rents things around here. It’s also funny to hear all the people who have zero issue drinking all day out on the water but this California boater ID thing seems to throw that same crowd into a tizzy.

 

[Bigbore500r]

I’ve been on RDP for a little while now. It’s funny Juan seems to be the only guy who rents things around here. It’s also funny to hear all the people who have zero issue drinking all day out on the water but this California boater ID thing seems to throw that same crowd into a tizzy.

Do you know Juan TaBoneYa? He's freinds with Mike Hawk
You might be working yourself up into a tizzy . . .

 

[500bbc]

Well now I know when approaching a lighthouse the primary concern is water depth and not distance to shoreline...

 

[Ziggy]

I’ve been on RDP for a little while now. It’s funny Juan seems to be the only guy who rents things around here. It’s also funny to hear all the people who have zero issue drinking all day out on the water but this California boater ID thing seems to throw that same crowd into a tizzy.

That would be the family we saved from drowning a few seasons ago. Waverunner renters, one unsecured lifevest on the dad, none on mom and waterwings on the infant child. All had been thrown off the ski & wind pushed it away from them all about 100 yards off Grass Island. Was an intense 5-10 minutes getting them all aboard our boat in the wind & rough water. The pure fear in all their eyes was palatable.
.
The most astonishing thing for us was how many boats ahead of us blew by and between these panicking people neck deep in the water.

 

[River Dirt 2]

My wife passed yesterday while she was at the spa getting her nails done….
Now that’s true love

 

[Boatymcboatface]

That would be the family we saved from drowning a few seasons ago. Waverunner renters, one unsecured lifevest on the dad, none on mom and waterwings on the infant child. All had been thrown off the ski & wind pushed it away from them all about 100 yards off Grass Island. Was an intense 5-10 minutes getting them all aboard our boat in the wind & rough water. The pure fear in all their eyes was palatable.
.
The most astonishing thing for us was how many boats ahead of us blew by and between these panicking people neck deep in the water.

Not sayin that doesn’t happen but let’s be honest about boats and accidents. One jet ski isn’t a boat (lake lice) and I agree nobody should be able to rent one without some sort of safety/education. Majority of the boat accidents we see on here aren’t rentals and some get covered up or pushed to the back because they are know members. How many of those were rented vs involved alcohol?

 

[Bigbore500r]

Not sayin that doesn’t happen but let’s be honest about boats and accidents. One jet ski isn’t a boat (lake lice) and I agree nobody should be able to rent one without some sort of safety/education. Majority of the boat accidents we see on here aren’t rentals and some get covered up or pushed to the back because they are know members. How many of those were rented vs involved alcohol?

Well, a single jet ski can kill somebody, - a guy lost his life in Bullhead a few years ago being struck by a rental operator on a PWC , while he was just sitting on his swimstep with his family floating down river.

If you really want to find out where the biggest risks lie statistically, you'd need to look at ALL accidents for a given area, and ask these questions:

1) What is the % of accidents for registered boat owners, compared to % of accidents for rental operators?

2) What is the most common type of boating accident?

3) What is the most common cause of accident?

4) What % of accidents involve alcohol or drugs?

 

[Boatymcboatface]

Well, a single jet ski can kill somebody, - a guy lost his life in Bullhead a few years ago being struck by a rental operator on a PWC , while he was just sitting on his swimstep with his family floating down river.

If you really want to find out where the biggest risks lie statistically, you'd need to look at ALL accidents for a given area, and ask these questions:

1) What is the % of accidents for registered boat owners, compared to % of accidents for rental operators?

2) What is the most common type of boating accident?

3) What is the most common cause of accident?

4) What % of accidents involve alcohol or drugs?

Is that the method you used to come up with Juan as the renter?

How many beers have you had today Mr Hawk?

 

[Bigbore500r]

Is that the method you used to come up with Juan as the renter?

How many beers have you had today Mr Hawk?

If you're insinuating im racist, you are way off base

 

[Boatymcboatface]

If you're insinuating im racist, you are way off base

No insinuated you’re drunk. I dont know how to do laughing emojis.

 

[Desert Whaler]

It's an obvious money-grab / 'feel good' move by some lame bureaucrats in Sacramento to justify their jobs by saying, "Look at what we did with boater safety . . . weeeeeeee !!! ". There's zero merit in it.

It almost reminds of when the County of Orange sent me a 'Luxury Tax' bill around 20 years ago for my 15 foot aluminum boat with a 15 hp Merc . . . I got a good chuckle out of that one, then it went straight in the trash.

Only reason I complied with this was to not give Law Enforcement a reason to write me a ticket, warning, etc. etc.
I just put it in the category of life jackets, flares, sound device, fire extinguisher etc . . . . 1 & Done.

 

[BoatCop]

I know, Im being facetious, because the CA only card is ridiculous. I get why it isn't required for sanctioned racing events.

On another front - what is your take on CA's position that this card is not required to rent and operate a rental boat / PWC on CA waterways, around other boaters? That is the real "middle finger" to everyone who owns, registers, insures and maintains their watercraft - to be stopped and checked for a CA Boaters card, meanwhile Juan Taboneya in the rental pontoon (who's never driven a boat before) can cruise on by with a load of 8 passengers, and zero responsability to be accountable for what you are being fined for. Juan can also drive his rental boat around your family, near your kids in the water, and take that sucker to the fuel docks witih zero knowledge or requirement to know what he's doing.

You can thank the Boat/PWC rental - tourist lobbies for that. Requiring the course for rentals would shut down most, if not all, of their business. If it were up to me, there would be a requirement for any operator/renter (at a minimum) watch a (15?, 30?, 45?, minute) video outlining the basics. I know that's no substitute for a full course, but it's better than it is now. It would also appease the industry.

Speaking about the rental industry, there are virtually zero regulations on them (in most States). Anyone can drag their PWC or pontoon, etc. down to the launch ramp and rent it out to whomever they want. Depending on where, such as outside of city limits, a business license or vendor permit isn't even required. There's nothing to say how much insurance they need to carry, length of rental periods, charges, deposits, etc. The only thing required, is that they have to ensure (provide) sufficient safety equipment.

As far as statistics, here's the Coast Guard National Boating Accident Report (.pdf). (2023 is the latest year available) You can word search on "rental" and get to the appropriate page.

Accident Statistic

 

[Bigbore500r]

You can thank the Boat/PWC rental - tourist lobbies for that. Requiring the course for rentals would shut down most, if not all, of their business. If it were up to me, there would be a requirement for any operator/renter (at a minimum) watch a (15?, 30?, 45?, minute) video outlining the basics. I know that's no substitute for a full course, but it's better than it is now. It would also appease the industry.

Speaking about the rental industry, there are virtually zero regulations on them (in most States). Anyone can drag their PWC or pontoon, etc. down to the launch ramp and rent it out to whomever they want. Depending on where, such as outside of city limits, a business license or vendor permit isn't even required. There's nothing to say how much insurance they need to carry, length of rental periods, charges, deposits, etc. The only thing required, is that they have to ensure (provide) sufficient safety equipment.

As far as statistics, here's the Coast Guard National Boating Accident Report (.pdf). (2023 is the latest year available) You can word search on "rental" and get to the appropriate page.

Accident Statistic

Thank you !

 

[NicPaus]

My boat was hit by a rental at Naci long time ago. No insurance required and it was a Hispanic lady from Bakersfield. The rental company would not give me her name. But the water cop was cool and went to the rental spot on the marina and got it for me. They said to small claims her. I never did. Paid around 5k to have Orange county boat repair fix it.