From the Boathouse: Get your license to turn the wheel
Ahoy! Boater’s licensing is official in California!
Gov. Jerry Brown made it official Sept. 18 by signing SB 941 (Monning) into law. The new law requires almost every recreational boater to have a state-issued vessel operator card in a phased-in program beginning Jan. 1, 2018.
The purpose of the law is to decrease accidents and provide a safer boating environment by way of mandatory education. Boater education is important as our waterways become more congested every year. Too often we hear someone erroneously say “Sailboats always have the right-of-way” or ask, “Who has the right-of-way in a crossing situation?”
“Education is the key,” said Rags Laragione, owner of the Maritime Institute headquartered in San Diego. Laragione’s mission with the institute is to train all boaters, and not only professional captains with the numerous licenses and endorsements, but recreational boaters as well.
The new law stipulates that vessel operators successfully pass a boating test and earn a vessel operator card to be issued by the state’s Division of Boating and Waterways. This will apply to all vessels that are propelled by an engine, regardless of whether the engine is the principal source of propulsion. Keep in mind that there are exceptions, and I will elaborate further in an upcoming column.
The Recreational Boaters of California did support this legislation, and RBOC helped create the basis of SB 941.
The phase-in period is seven years starting on Jan. 1, 2018, for boaters younger than 21 years old, and finishing in 2025 for all ages. The fees are supposed to be set to cover only the cost of the program, but like all state fees, I am sure extra fees will be tacked on from time to time.
Most states already require some form of recreational boater education or licensing to operate a boat on their waterways, so this brings California in line with the national trend. Annually, our state ranks No. 1, 2 or 3 in the nation for registered boats, and projections show that we will experience an annual increase of boats in California.
The insurance industry has been ahead of the trend for requiring owners of larger boats to have boating proficiency skills prior to any state’s licensing requirements. The marine insurance companies actually began years ago to refuse to insure inexperienced owners of new boats until they were trained on their vessels, or the owners had to hire professional captains to operate their yachts. I have given numerous private lessons for new boat owners in the 40-foot-plus range so that they could be insured to operate their own vessels.
The majority of accidents are in smaller boats and personal watercraft operated by inexperienced boaters, or in borrowed or rented watercraft. Luckily, the statistics show that accidents have declined since the national trend toward education and boating smart.
As we say in the broadcast business, stay tuned, as I will have much more on California’s new vessel operator card.
Tip of the week: Do you know about the various licensing and education programs for boaters on our waterways? Professional captains and skippers of specific vessels must be licensed by the feds or state now to operate on a vessel, but not recreational boaters.
There are many classes, online and otherwise, where boaters can hone their skills on boating knowledge and the rules of the road. However, there are few instructional institutions or programs where one can learn to operate a powerboat, especially a larger one. Therefore, be a smart boat owner and hire a seasoned professional for private instruction.
Lastly, for chuckles, stroll down to Balboa by the Fun Zone on a weekend and just watch the chaos in the harbor with inexperienced boaters, especially when they encounter the Balboa Island auto ferries. Immediately, you will be able to point out the four types of skippers: the professional captain, the seasoned recreational boater, the inexperienced or renting boater, and the ever-present Goofy goes Sailing sailor.
As always, keep an eye to the weather for any changes. Please be boat smart and boat safe. Lastly, please boat responsibly and look behind you before you turn the wheel at the helm.
Tune in to the No. 1 boating radio talk show in the nation, “Boathouse Radio Show,” broadcasting live coast-to-coast on syndicated network. See times at https://www.boathousetv.com, https://www.facebook.com/boathouseradio and https://www.twitter.com/boathouseradio.
Safe voyages!
MIKE WHITEHEAD is a boating columnist for the Daily Pilot. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to https://www.boathousetv.com.