THE HARBOR COLUMN:Safer waters are always better

Ahoy.

Do you think recreational boaters should have to attend and successfully complete a mandatory boating safety class before being allowed to operate their vessel?

I do, and California is becoming the next state to propose mandatory boater-safety education, with draft legislation to amend and insert new sections of the Harbor and Navigation Code.

The proposed elements of the education law will affect sailors who have engines with more than 15 horsepower and all sailboats over 30 feet.

You will have to attend a boater safety education class and successfully pass an exam. However, Cal Boating (the Department of Boating and Waterways) will offer a challenge exam for seasoned boaters.

The phase-in period is proposed to be eight years, and no grandfathering into the new law. However, you are exempt if you are have a valid United States Coast Guard license or are involved in commercial fishing.

New boat owners have up to 60 days to obtain a boater safety card. Anyone renting a boat can attend an abbreviated safety presentation with a 30-day valid permit, and out-of-state visitors will have reciprocity if their state has a certification program.

Recreational boaters who can prove a successful completion of a boating safety educational course are eligible for a boater education card, but the class must have been completed before this law is enacted.

There is a sub-section to waive the requirement for a boater education card by the skipper when racing or practicing for a race that is permitted by the appropriated maritime authority.

The idea is to decrease accidents. How often do you hear someone say that sailboats “always have the right of way” or “who has the right of way in this (fill-in-the-blank) crossing situation?”

“Education is the key” said Rags Laragione, who is the owner of the Maritime Institute, headquartered in San Diego.

Laragione’s mission has been to train boaters, and not only teach professional captains to earn their license or endorsements, but also to educate recreational-boat owners.

He supports Cal Boating’s goal to educate all boaters and come in line with other states that have already enacted education or licensing requirements.

Boaters will be required to carry the state’s boater education card on the vessel while in operation, unless exempted (for example, by having a Coast Guard license, which also must be onboard).

A separate course is proposed for operators of personal watercraft. I think that’s important, as this group of boaters have a higher than average accident rate, especially for those who rent or borrow a friend’s personal watercraft.

I think that some form of boater training is essential for safety on our waters, and believe me when I tell you that the Sunday sailor and the aggressive sailor are our worst problems on the waterways.

I am licensed by the Coast Guard and the California Department of Boating and Waterways to operate a vessel, and it would be great to educate recreational boaters to this level.

However, that’s not very practical. My professional recommendation is for boaters not to procrastinate in attending a boating safety class until the deadline date is just on the horizon. There is a bonus to completing a class besides qualifying for the state’s boater education card: Many insurance companies have a discount if the boat owner has completed a boating course.

The tip of the week is a last call to all local nonprofit boating organizations to apply for the BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water Grant.

The program offers grants of up to $4,000 for boating safety projects, but to have a chance at funding, organizations need to apply by Nov. 1.

A total of $50,000 is available.

You can download an application and learn more about these grants by visiting www.boatus.com/foundation or calling (800) 336-BOAT.

Remember to tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation at noon Saturdays. “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” is on KCBQ-AM (1170) broadcasting to Southern California and can be heard across the nation online at www.boathouseradio.com.

Safe voyages.