About this and the way you learned to drive a boat and Knowing what you know now about boating, Do you still think a license is needed? Yes or no??? Also Remember this has been the way boating has been for years, Learn as you go, Just try to becarefull is all. People have car accidents every day, And we are all trained to drive a car!!! So once again yes or no??? Law enforcement officers want boaters licensed before they get behind the wheel
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10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, July 23, 2009
By GENE GHIOTTO
The Press-Enterprise
A personal watercraft shooting out a rooster tail as it zipped across Lake Elsinore recently caught the eye of a couple of sheriff's deputies on patrol.
The rider whipped a 180-degree turn and suddenly was traveling against the flow of boat traffic. On a busier day, it could have been an accident waiting to happen.
For Riverside County sheriff's deputies Bill Young and Scott Larsen, watching from their patrol boat, it was a good example of the need for licensing requirements for boaters, much like the licenses automobile drivers must have.
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Licenses would be a way to ensure that boaters know the rules of the water, the deputies said.
As it stands, all a person needs to do is buy or rent a boat to be able to drive it -- whether it be a large, high-powered ski craft or a small but agile personal watercraft.
"You can go out and buy a boat today and be on the water tomorrow without taking any kind of safety course," Young said. "There should be some kind of licensing requirement."
Licensing for boaters was proposed last year by the Recreational Boaters of California, a nonprofit organization that works to protect the interests of recreational boaters. The measure was approved by the Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, said Gloria Sandoval, spokeswoman for the state Department of Boating and Waterways.
She cited the budget crisis as a factor in the governor's decision.
Unsafe Waters
Inexperienced boaters can violate the rules without even realizing it, law enforcement officials said. Uninformed boaters may travel against the flow of traffic on a lake, speed in no-wake zones or do trick maneuvers on personal watercraft without watching for other boats.
Mistakes can be deadly.
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Last year, California had 686 boating accidents. Of those, 48 resulted in deaths and 382 in injuries, Sandoval said. Forty-nine percent of the accidents were alcohol-related.
Riverside County last year had 21 boating accidents that killed four people and injured 13, Sandoval said. In San Bernardino County, 47 accidents resulted in no deaths, but 49 injuries.
The state department's Web site offers tips on boating safety, rules of the waterways and an online safety course for boaters. But the course is not required.
"There is a need for boat operators to understand the rules of the water," said Sgt. Tim Smith, who is in charge of marine enforcement at the San Bernardino County sheriff's River Station, which patrols the Colorado River.
Fatal boating accidents are not uncommon on the river. Two Murrieta teens on a personal watercraft were killed there in July 2008 when they struck a boat.
Earlier this month, a 23-year-old Moreno Valley boater was killed when his southbound boat tried to pass another southbound boat and struck one heading north.
"We do believe alcohol is going to play a role in the collision," Smith said.
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The accident still is under investigation.
Increasing the Risk
Lack of knowledge coupled with the use of alcohol increase the chances for a boating accident, experts say. While motorists cannot legally have open containers of alcohol in their vehicles, there is no such law for recreational boaters.
"Put alcohol in the mix and you have the potential for disaster," Young said.
Boat operators can be cited for boating under the influence. The operator, if older than 21, must not have a blood alcohol level of .08 or more, the same limit that applies to auto drivers.
Norb Ruhmke, superintendent at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area, agrees that boaters need licenses and safety training.
"Maybe they should go to a boating safety class before licensing," he said. "Maybe someone like the manufacturer could put on a class."
Smith said classes are needed because boats are bigger and faster than ever.
"It's not uncommon to see boats in excess of 30 feet that can go 100 miles per hour," he said.
"There is a need for boat operators to understand the rules of the water."
Reach Gene Ghiotto at 951-375-3729 or [email protected]
Inland Events
 Listen to Story 
Download story podcast10:00 PM PDT on Thursday, July 23, 2009
By GENE GHIOTTO
The Press-Enterprise
A personal watercraft shooting out a rooster tail as it zipped across Lake Elsinore recently caught the eye of a couple of sheriff's deputies on patrol.
The rider whipped a 180-degree turn and suddenly was traveling against the flow of boat traffic. On a busier day, it could have been an accident waiting to happen.
For Riverside County sheriff's deputies Bill Young and Scott Larsen, watching from their patrol boat, it was a good example of the need for licensing requirements for boaters, much like the licenses automobile drivers must have.
Story continues below
David Bauman / The Press-Enterprise
Riverside County deputies Bill Young, left, and Scott Larsen cite boaters on Lake Elsinore. California had 686 boating accidents last year, leading to 48 deaths. Four of those fatalities and 13 injuries came in Riverside County. San Bernardino County had no deaths but 49 injuries.
Licenses would be a way to ensure that boaters know the rules of the water, the deputies said.
As it stands, all a person needs to do is buy or rent a boat to be able to drive it -- whether it be a large, high-powered ski craft or a small but agile personal watercraft.
"You can go out and buy a boat today and be on the water tomorrow without taking any kind of safety course," Young said. "There should be some kind of licensing requirement."
Licensing for boaters was proposed last year by the Recreational Boaters of California, a nonprofit organization that works to protect the interests of recreational boaters. The measure was approved by the Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, said Gloria Sandoval, spokeswoman for the state Department of Boating and Waterways.
She cited the budget crisis as a factor in the governor's decision.
Unsafe Waters
Inexperienced boaters can violate the rules without even realizing it, law enforcement officials said. Uninformed boaters may travel against the flow of traffic on a lake, speed in no-wake zones or do trick maneuvers on personal watercraft without watching for other boats.
Mistakes can be deadly.
Story continues below
Licensing for boaters was proposed last year by the Recreational Boaters of California. The measure gained legislative approval but was vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Last year, California had 686 boating accidents. Of those, 48 resulted in deaths and 382 in injuries, Sandoval said. Forty-nine percent of the accidents were alcohol-related.
Riverside County last year had 21 boating accidents that killed four people and injured 13, Sandoval said. In San Bernardino County, 47 accidents resulted in no deaths, but 49 injuries.
The state department's Web site offers tips on boating safety, rules of the waterways and an online safety course for boaters. But the course is not required.
"There is a need for boat operators to understand the rules of the water," said Sgt. Tim Smith, who is in charge of marine enforcement at the San Bernardino County sheriff's River Station, which patrols the Colorado River.
Fatal boating accidents are not uncommon on the river. Two Murrieta teens on a personal watercraft were killed there in July 2008 when they struck a boat.
Earlier this month, a 23-year-old Moreno Valley boater was killed when his southbound boat tried to pass another southbound boat and struck one heading north.
"We do believe alcohol is going to play a role in the collision," Smith said.
Story continues below
David Bauman / The Press-Enterprise
Deputy Bill Young, foreground, checks out a boater's registration information as Deputy Scott Larsen writes a citation. Because there is no licensing needed to drive a boat, "You can go out and buy a boat today and be on the water tomorrow without taking any kind of safety course," Young says.
The accident still is under investigation.
Increasing the Risk
Lack of knowledge coupled with the use of alcohol increase the chances for a boating accident, experts say. While motorists cannot legally have open containers of alcohol in their vehicles, there is no such law for recreational boaters.
"Put alcohol in the mix and you have the potential for disaster," Young said.
Boat operators can be cited for boating under the influence. The operator, if older than 21, must not have a blood alcohol level of .08 or more, the same limit that applies to auto drivers.
Norb Ruhmke, superintendent at the Lake Perris State Recreation Area, agrees that boaters need licenses and safety training.
"Maybe they should go to a boating safety class before licensing," he said. "Maybe someone like the manufacturer could put on a class."
Smith said classes are needed because boats are bigger and faster than ever.
"It's not uncommon to see boats in excess of 30 feet that can go 100 miles per hour," he said.
"There is a need for boat operators to understand the rules of the water."
Reach Gene Ghiotto at 951-375-3729 or [email protected]
Inland Events
