I was eating dinner at my wifes Christmas party & a female at out table is a U.S. Coast Guard instructor for the boater safety course. She was telling me that it's fixing to be mandatory that everyoune take the class. I asked about grandfathering similar to the hunter education & she said no. She teaches the classes at Cedar Creek Lake & is supposed to forward me more information.

Has anyone here heard of the new requirement?

That's the first I have heard of it, but it's long over due! I'm about as right wing as you can get, but the boats of today, and the crowds on the lakes, it's crazy not to require some type of safety course to drive 70mph or more with no training.

First I had heard of it too!

More of my time waisted. You can not teach common sense. There will be the same number of idiots out there. They will just have a certificate.

Although I have to say that I agree with Spanker on this one, I think mandating that the course be taken is long over due as well. Luckily enough, I have taken the course adn should not have to take it again. There is a saying that fits the class well. "The mind can only absorb as much as the arse can endure"

Enjoy the class if it comes to be manditory.

what else needs to be said

one more comment to add u cant fix stupid

Just another way to get your money. It is a very stupid course. I have taken it and passed it and I think it has nothing to do with most of our freshwater lakes but more to do with rivers/costal waters something we do not have to deal with. Not sure I would want to be told I have to take it. Where is our FREEDOM going ??? Just my 2 cents

I hear the same money comments about the hunter ed course. "Just another way to get money". Hunter ed costs $15, of which, the instructor gets 10 and TPW gets 5. When you figure up how much paper is sent back and forth between the instructor and TPW, you will quickly figure out that TPW makes NO money off of hunter ed.
Yet, due to hunter ed, hunting accidents continue to fall....
I figure boater ed will probably be the same way, dollar wise.
I also know that rarely will another boater approach and pass correctly while on the lake....could it be ignorance and not carelessness? I also rarely see boats yield to the lesser powered boat... Or, flying under the bridges on your favorite lake Marc. What do the different bouys mean? What is "no wake"? A little education could go a long way... It wasn't too terribly long ago that this board was full of posts concerning a boat accident on Fork. By, if I remember correctly, guys who WERE experienced at running boats.
Accidents can and will happen, nothing will change that. BUT if a boater ed course could cut down on any of it, then how could it be a bad thing?
I would think that a guide would be all for anything that could ease the congestion on our lakes.

where do I sign up. i am ALL for it, considering the milions of jet fleas I have to weed through on a summer day on Cypress Springs...

Huh, if I'm already taking the coursework for my captains license, do I have to take this one too? Just how much studying do y'all think I can fit in this graying, balding noggin?

One of the questions that I asked is if she made more $ if the class was full. She stated that the USCG does not pay her for these classes.



She is suppose to be sending me more information with class dates. When I get it I'll post. I suggusted that she come here & post the information also.

I took mine several years ago here
http://boatsafe.com/
I dont know if it will qualify for the requirement.
And there are still going to be idiots on the water with no reguard to safety just like a drivers license does not make a person a good driver.

But I think it is long overdue. Even if it cost us a few more dollars, if it prevents just one accident then it is worth it.

not gonna happen.

boating laws are the state's jurisdiction, and texas currently encourages -- rather than requires -- such boating classes.

I think this is definately a good thing. When I bought my boat, I had no experience driving, docking or even loading a boat. One of the first things I did was take the online course, pay my $15 for the certification and believe it or not, I actually learned a few things.

I agree with most on here, a little education can go a long way and even the old dogs need a little reminder they don't own the whole yard.

See ya on the water,
SportFisher

Whenever I see the claim that "if it saves ONE life", I get somewhat skeptical, as the implication is "price is no object, throw money at the problem forever".

HOWEVER - mandatory boater education would save many, many lives. Sure, it wouldn't cure 'jerk-itis', rudeness or stupidity, but it would reduce the incidence of ignorance on the water.