Is a Boating Certificate REALLY necessary?

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by Seeker

No. 2 is not necessarily correct. I have been boating for abour 60 years from Maine to Florida. ed.

60 Freakin Years..??? Even if I count my 9 years "Boating Experience" in the NAVY I can't come up with 6o years experience.......and I am 69.

Step up to the plate young man and prove yourself. NB

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

60 Freakin Years..??? Even if I count my 9 years "Boating Experience" in the NAVY I can't come up with 6o years experience.......and I am 69.

Step up to the plate young man and prove yourself. NB

Does polishing the bow with your diaper count toward total time,,,

[chipj29]

Sorry, but this post made me

Originally Posted by XCR-700

Does polishing the bow with your diaper count toward total time,,,

[XCR-700]

Originally Posted by chipj29

Sorry, but this post made me

Ya, easy for you to laugh while I sit there in my clothies,,,

I'm told I used to make "motor noises" even when were docked,,, LOL

GH

[MAXUM]

Something to consider in regards to taking the NH boater's course. NH still uses the USWMS marking system which was to be phased out as of 2003 nation wide. Most other states now use the ATONS marking system which is completely different in that the USWMS marking system (otherwise known as the cardinal marking system).

Is this really THAT important, you be the judge, here are the differences:

* The old USWMS black port side channel markers are now GREEN can buoys.
* The old USWMS red starboard side channel markers are now red NUN buoys.
* The old USWMS red and white vertically striped buoys have been replaced by one of the following:
-a red or green channel marker directing safe passage
-an orange and white regulatory marker,
- a red and black isolated danger marker.
* The old USWMS white buoys topped with black or red bands, have been replaced by one of the following: a red or green channel marker directing safe passage, an orange and white regulatory marker, or a red and black isolated danger marker.


Now of you're not familiar with the USWMS marking system and head out on any lake in NH it'll make for an interesting boating experience to say the least. If you happen to get a license in any other state or via the coast guard they will not cover these markings and therefore you will be ignorant when you hit the water. Not a very good situation even if you have experience in another state or even out on the ocean. As it has been pointed out already, it's not a matter of fines or if you'll get caught, it's a matter of education. What also will be covered is any boating laws that are unique to NH. Take the time and attend the class, you may just end up learning a thing or two.

[dog paw]

What are the odds of being stopped? The wife and I were stopped the VERY first time we put a vessel in Winnipesaukee LOL! The MP advised us of a few things that are different than they are down south, told us where to take the test and gave us the state reg book to boot. Pretty darn hospitable if you ask me. Thought I was being punked The certificate thing is being phased in into Virginia now also.

[Airwaves]

Originally posted by Seeker:

I have been boating for abour 60 years from Maine to Florida. I didn't bother to get the online certificate when available because I had one from the USPS I received in 1973 (this was at least a 7 week course IIRC). I did help my wife study and she got her NH cert online. I decided it would be nice to have a little plastic card instead of my large paper certificate so I made a copy of it and sent it in with my $10. Got a call from the head of boating safety who said it doesn't say NASBLA approved (they didn't exist then) and we don't know what was covered. I told him I still have the course binder and it covers a lot more than NH's course does. Bottom line I got my check back after 9 months and a new cert from USPS that now says NASBLA approved.
So for anymore old timers who have an old USPS cert that doesn't say NASBLA you could encounter a problem if stopped.

Seeker, The following is the LAW:

TITLE XXII
NAVIGATION; HARBORS; COAST SURVEY
CHAPTER 270-D
BOATING AND WATER SAFETY ON NEW HAMPSHIRE PUBLIC WATERS
Safe Boater Education
Section 270-D:15
270-D:15 Certificate Not Required. – A person shall not be required to obtain a certificate of boating safety education if the person holds a certificate from any state indicating successful completion of boating safety education that meets or exceeds the requirements of this subdivision, a certificate from the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, or a certificate from the United States Power Squadron.
Source. 2000, 52:3, eff. Jan. 1, 2002.

Note that the certificate from the US Power Squadron is specifically noted in the law. (Without a reference to NASBLA) Whoever told you that your Power Squadron certification was too old was mistaken.

Between you and me, I have gone on line and printed out the RSA I quoted above and I keep it in my wallet next to my certificate because my USCGAux certificate was issued in the 80's. As with the USPS and NH certificates the USCGAux certificates are for life, there is no expiration date. I do this just because the MP hires seasonal employees that may not know the law.