Should the driving age of driving a motorized boat be raised to 16 like driving a car? 🛥 ⛵️

[Buzz Rules]

Should the driving age of driving a motorized boat be raised to 16 like driving a car? 🛥


️https://www.boat-ed.com/newyork/boating_law/

 

[Dug720]

I'm filing this under the same category of the news that it is now an official rule that Oscar voters must watch all the nominated films: "That wasn't already a rule??"

 

[lanejudy]

Not every state is 16 for a driving a car. Like driving license rules, I thought boating rules varied by state.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Not every state is 16 for a driving a car. Like driving license rules, I thought boating rules varied by state.

I'm filing this under the same category of the news that it is now an official rule that Oscar voters must watch all the nominated films: "That wasn't already a rule??"

In NY, a 10 year old can drive a motorized boat (recreational boat) with a safety certificate/license and a 14 year can operate a PWC with a safety certificate/license.

 

[lanejudy]

In NY, a 10 year old can drive a motorized boat with a safety certificate/license and a 14 year can operate a PWC with a safety certificate/license.

That's what I mean -- the rules vary by state. It's not a national set age.

 

[Buzz Rules]

That's what I mean -- the rules vary by state. It's not a national set age.

https://lifelanes.progressive.com/minimum-boating-license-age/

True. What I'm getting at is there cause for there to be a national law to make 16 or so the minimum age from now on?

 

[Buzz Rules]

Also, here is the website to get a boating safety certificate if anyone is interested in the future. It's a great thing to have in advance for future vacations as well.
https://www.boat-ed.com/

 

[Buzz Rules]

https://lifelanes.progressive.com/how-to-get-a-boating-license/

 

[sarahann77]

since it seems like an online course now and for all ages, at least for NY, I'd say yes to raise to 16. I took an in person class, at I think 14, and thought it was very appropriate. My brother who was 16 and already had his license thought it was a waste of time. 10 is a bit young but thought the above 13 was fine with the in person class and then test.

 

[lanejudy]

True. What I'm getting at is there cause for there to be a national law to make 16 or so the minimum age from now on?

No, I don't see need for a national law. States issue licenses, not the federal government. Leave it up to the states to decide what is best for their residents.

What "cause" do you see to make it national?

 

[Buzz Rules]

No, I don't see need for a national law. States issue licenses, not the federal government. Leave it up to the states to decide what is best for their residents.

What "cause" do you see to make it national?

I think driving ages and boating ages are going to become more standardized across the USA with more states having pressure on them to raise safety standards and decrease unnecessary accidents and safety violations. If the age is raised to 16 across the board, I would think it would be better safety wise overall. I don't think PWC and recreational boats have to be insured either according to some states (someone correct me if I'm wrong). I believe US Coast Guard boating inspections aren't required by most states either (someone correct me if I'm wrong). My point is states should start raising the safety and legal requirements in every state so maximum safety and regulations are followed across the board.

 

[Buzz Rules]

No, I don't see need for a national law. States issue licenses, not the federal government. Leave it up to the states to decide what is best for their residents.

What "cause" do you see to make it national?

Let's put this into perspective. Would you want a kid under 16 driving this:

 

[lanejudy]

You've got a whole lot packed into that.

Insurance is regulated by each state. Are you aware that not every state requires car insurance?

The USCG does not generally inspect personal recreation watercraft. You want to make that part of it?

We've already mentioned licensing and education.

Who will oversee all this? What agency? What will be the ramifications of not following a national standard? Will this remove state jurisdiction over registration and licensing?

I suggest starting with your own state if you feel the regulations are too lax. Trying to make it national is a leap too far.

 

[Dug720]

In NY, a 10 year old can drive a motorized boat (recreational boat) with a safety certificate/license and a 14 year can operate a PWC with a safety certificate/license.

That is shocking to me.

 

[Buzz Rules]

You've got a whole lot packed into that.

Sorry. I was just something that I was thinking about this morning as summer approaches.

Insurance is regulated by each state. Are you aware that not every state requires car insurance?

I did not know that. It should be a national requirement for sure.

The USCG does not generally inspect personal recreation watercraft. You want to make that part of it?

Yep.

We've already mentioned licensing and education.

Who will oversee all this? What agency?

Multiple I guess. That's for Congress to decide.

What will be the ramifications of not following a national standard?

Whatever a federal law states.

Will this remove state jurisdiction over registration and licensing?

Would federal minimum standards take much away from the states in this scenario?

I suggest starting with your own state if you feel the regulations are too lax. Trying to make it national is a leap too far.

I feel a national push is the only way big things get done in states because they are forced to confront an issue then.

I'm not an attorney so I don't know about how diffrent laws on the state level are drastically changed from a federal law overall.

 

[Buzz Rules]

That is shocking to me.

Which is why I was thinking about it this morning. My family loves boating and fishing. My father always drove the boat when we rented one on vacation (my grandfather did when he came with us). I wasn't allowed to try until I was 18 in my family but that was over a decade ago.

Brianna's Law wasn't passed until 2019:

https://parks.ny.gov/newsroom/press-releases/release.aspx?r=1532

 

[Buzz Rules]

Will Disboarders that don't have a boating safety certificate currently consider getting one in the future?

 

[Buzz Rules]

That is shocking to me.

 

[lanejudy]

Which is why I was thinking about it this morning. My family loves boating and fishing. My father always drove the boat when we rented one on vacation (my grandfather did when he came with us). I wasn't allowed to try until I was 18 in my family but that was over a decade ago.

Brianna's Law wasn't passed until 2019:

https://parks.ny.gov/newsroom/press-releases/release.aspx?r=1532

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Brianna's Law is more about requiring boating safety training, not age limits. It makes a state approved boating safety course mandated for anyone to operate a motorboat.

DUI in watercraft is attributed to more fatal accidents than young operators.

 

[Buzz Rules]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but Brianna's Law is more about requiring boating safety training, not age limits. It makes a state approved boating safety course mandated for anyone to operate a motorboat.

DUI in watercraft is attributed to more fatal accidents than young operators.

Yes. But it can be revised to make further safety standards required as well I believe. I would think raising the minimum boating/PWC age to 16 would be a simple vote to ammend the law?