Re: Required Boaters License / Education Card?
Hi Im! Interesting post to see who needs the operator license. Up here in Canada it started a couple of years ago that you required a license to operate a boat. As a matter of fact, you need one to operate a ski jet as well. They started with anything under 12' and that includes a ski jet, canoe and even a dingy from a main boat if you have one. Eventually, all boaters will need a license to operate a boat and each year the size of the boat lets you know if you need a license or by what year. I think it's over a 5 year period. Our only problem is that it's a money grab for the government because they have no one to inforce the policy. The police can't because you have to be operating the boat on water before they can check you and anyone can tow a boat with the boaters license. We have very few police on the water here and our coast guard is too small or too busy to check except on a very few occasions. I have had my license for 3 years now and have never been check and have been stopped in normal road checks by the RCMP, city police, wild life, conservation personal,etc so what good is it????????
).<br /><br />We have mandatory licences for anything that is capable of exceeding 5 knots (including sailboats). Seperate licence for PWC. 12 year olds can get a licence but there must be a licenced adult supervising, they become fully licenced at 16 y/old.<br /><br />Its not hard to get, its mainly a common sense safety test. It costs about $75.00 per year but our ramps and jettys are very well maintained and there are heaps of facilities spread around our harbor city.<br /><br />Aldo
