Be careful out there

[rockhound]

pwc, dirt bike or atv, all the same mentality all the same issues.

to fast, not experienced, whatever the reason more accidents on them than any other off highway conveyance

[trucky]

You have to be 16 years old in NC for a pwc license.

You are absolutely right. Both my kids got their licenses in NC where our primary residence is. I was referring more to the so called "test" that gives these kids the right to drive a vessel with probably more horsepower than they've ever had in their hands before. Then there's enforcement... even on a busy weekend I rarely see the TWRA boat go by. They have an enormous task trying to patrol and enforce on all the waterways. You can't leave it to the parents to teach or model proper behavior either. This weekend I also saw a neighbor riding his ski with three toddler aged kids lined up on the seat in front of him, go figure...

[Cowracer]

If you cannot correctly define the term "Stand-on Vessel" then you have no business operating any kind of watercraft.

Tim

[sunedog]

We live in South Carolina. My kid got his boater's license last year at age 13. He took a SCDNR class administered by the local Coast Guard Auxillary from 8:30 AM to 5 PM that concluded with a 70 question test. About 30 people took the class and about half were adults. Some kids and a handful of adults didn't pass the test after sitting through all that instruction. The Coast Guard Auxillary takes this class very seriously, as they should. I also gave (and continue to give) my son lots of other instruction on boating.

And he can tell you without hesitation what a stand on vessel is.

[trucky]

This whole tragic event and our discussion here has caused me to do a little more research about these "licenses" to operate a vessel. I went to https://elearning.boatus.org/ and signed up for free to take the NC test, even though it's not required at my age. A lot has changed since my kids took it several years ago. It's now fairly comprehensive, and for NC anyway, broken into seven sections. You are required to pass each section in order with at least 80% before moving on to the next section:

1. Boats and the Marine Environment
2. Boating Equipment
3. Trip Planning and Preparation
4. Safe Boat Operation
5. Emergency Preparation
6. Boating Activities
7. Final Exam

***Objectives
This NASBLA approved Boating Safety Course for North Carolina boaters covers everything from Navigation Aids and Emergency Situations to Rules of the Road and Required Equipment. Each of the seven chapters includes a quiz at the end for you to test your knowledge. After reviewing all chapters, you will take a 75 question final exam including 10 questions specific to the boating laws in North Carolina. Pass the exam with a score of 80% or better and you will then be able to print your certificate of completion.***

I've been boating since... well, JFK was shot when I was in second grade, and I had my rowboat out in Newport Harbor, CA every day I could well before then. I will admit I missed a few questions and I've learned a few things so I would challenge everyone to to take their state's test listed there, if available. There is much there that maybe doesn't directly apply to our pontoon life out on the tranquil lake but... there is also plenty that can maybe change a few bad habits you might get into over the years.

My son laughed at me the other day when he had several friends aboard for a cruise and I did the flight attendant thing, pointing out where the life jackets were and explaining my rules but I reminded him that I am responsible for every soul aboard my boat, I take this seriously and you damn well better too. Now let's go out and enjoy the day!