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BOATER LICENSING WON’T SAVE LIVES
By Robert Hale
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Am I the only one, or does anybody else think the Operator Competency test for running a boat in Canada is a big waste of time, money and energy?
I took the test at the Vancouver Boat Show in early February. Thirty-six questions, miss nine and you still pass. With no test prep work I missed six. I am now a certified competent boat operator.
What hogwash. As I worked my way through the inane questions and multiple-choice answers I kept asking, “Does this have anything to do with running a boat?” Granted, “Red, Right, Returning” was on my test, and it was well presented. But most of the questions, such as how to put on a life jacket when you’re already in the water -- or worse, quizzes about Transport Canada regulations -- had absolutely nothing to do with genuine operator competency.
Yes, every year a certain number of people die in boating accidents. While each of these deaths is a tragedy, most of them are the result of alcohol, no life jackets, stupidity, lack of knowledge (stupidity and lack of knowledge may be the same at times, but they are not synonymous), or bad luck. Furthermore, most of the deaths occur on inland lakes and rivers, from boats that can be carried on top of a car.
Naturally, we want to “do something” to reduce boating deaths. The “something” in this case is to require people who are not part of the problem to pass a competency test that does not test for competency. But at least we are “doing something” -- hurray.
No, not hurray. The real answer lies in boater education. Even education is not a complete answer, but at least it is rational. The Power Squadrons and Coast Guard Auxiliary basic boating courses are terrific. Every new boater should devote one evening a week for a few weeks to take one.
The Waggoner, for its part, is a demon for boating safety. Throughout the book we stress caution, prudence, and being aware of the weather and sea forces that can change a boating holiday into a boating nightmare. On our yearly research cruises we follow our own advice. We eat our own cooking, as they say.
With all that the Waggoner does, though, I confess that I have no sure-fire remedy for the occasional boater whose skiff gets caught in a squall on a small inland lake. Nor for the inexperienced canoeist who slides into a river rapids. Nor for the over-juiced young dude running a high-powered ski boat on a lake somewhere. Some of them are going to die. Short of outlawing all boating, I don’t know how to prevent it.
I do know one thing: The Operator Competency cards in Canada won’t prevent those deaths.
Here in the state of Washington forces are at work to pass a law to require some kind of boater licensing. If such a law will reduce boating accidents and deaths I’m all for it. Fortunately, in Canada we have a model to study.
Canada knows far better than the U.S. how to integrate government regulation into the lives of its citizens. It’s a cultural difference between the two countries, and it’s real. Let’s wait five or 10 years and look at Canada’s Operator Competency results. If Canada reduces its rate of accidents, Washington State should take notice. If Canada doesn’t, Washington State should take notice of that, too. I, for one, believe that Canada’s Operator Competency cards won’t save any lives in Canada.
Not one single life.v
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