Some of the TV talk shows I’ve recently seen have a segment to discuss Hot Topics. Today, I will be posting my 1st Hot Topic or Rant as you will. In my topics I will not be pointing any fingers or even judging anyone. I DO have an opinion on every topic but, I will just state the topic as it is and find the facts for you to think about. I will research the subjects and try getting expert opinions and scientific facts that are in effect at the time. I will also share some first-hand observations to help in the discussions.

Fishing is a very broad field and when there are questions asked it may result in more than one right answer. Even worse we may have little to no information on a particular topic. There are a lot of uncertainties and unknowns in fishing.

My goal on each topic is to get a “Friendly” discussion going and hear from people that can shed some light and some great observations to farther our knowledge.

At the end of every discussion if we can provide great feedback I would pass it on to the proper Government Department or persons that can use our facts and suggestions to better our resources and our the sport that we are all so passionate about.

Boating Safety?

Do you feel any safer on the water since the introduction of the Pleasure Craft operating license in 1999? I think Transport Canada had a great idea but I don’t think they looked at the whole picture. Myself I have not seen much difference on the water, we still have reckless drivers and a lack of common sense.

Here is the requirement:

The competency of “Operators of Pleasure Craft” regulations require all operators of pleasure craft fitted with any type of motor and used for recreational purposes to carry proof of competency on board. Proof of competency indicates the boater has a basic level of boating safety knowledge required for safe recreational boating. In the past, anyone of any age could operate a recreational boat without any minimum boating safety knowledge, experience or training. These requirements were introduced in 1999 in response to boating deaths and injuries, with the goal of improving safety on Canadian waterways through education and training.

Recently two of my Co-Workers went out this year and wrote their Pleasure Craft exam and I will say they both studied hard and both received great marks. Both of these people never owned a boat before in their life.

Here are five examples that make you go umm:

1. While wishing congratulations to my first co-worker I said that "I never knew you like boats"? He said "I don’t, I just wanted to say I have certification before they require people to show they can drive a boat to get your license".

2. My other peer was pretty excited too because he passed. He told me” I got my license now I just have to learn how to drive one.” So now he can go out a buy a boat and motor that can go from ten miles or one that goes a hundred miles an hour. No questions asked!

3. I heard this comment from my beautiful (soon to be wife), she said she always thought when it came to lakes and rivers that the farther you went out the deeper it got.

4. I have talked to new boaters on lakes where I feel sick to my stomach as soon as I launch my boat. They assumed as long as they didn’t see anything on the surface like a buoy they were safe.

5. My last example is not a comment but an observation from last weekend. Tammy and I were fishing a small river off the main Saint John River. The Oromocto River is really narrow and bendy, we were on our way out to the main river where I had to slow down due to two kayakers in front of me. We were chatting away when this Ski boat zoomed up between us pulling a skier. The skier fell and the boat went over to pick him up. The boat was also overloaded with about ten guys. The lady in the kayak was about thirty feet to the left of me and the ski boat floated between us then they took off and flooded the kayaker and then the skier sprayed the kayaker while she was trying stay upright. To make matters worse we were seventy yards from a no wake zone and a marine filled with lots of boats. Not the safest place to ski!

Most people I talk to think the Pleasure Craft operating license is just a money grab for the government. I still believe it’s a good idea, but would you want someone pulling up next to you in your boat knowing that it’s their first day driving a boat?

People can be book smart but here is a huge difference between paper & practical. Better example: You see a great job in the paper driving long haul with no experience necessary. All the ad says is that you have to answer 10 multiple choice questions. If you pass the job is yours, just go out back and pick out your new truck. They will teach you to start the truck and the rest you can figure out the first time in the driver’s seat.

Do you think the Pleasure Craft operating license makes the water safer? If they added a driving test like with a motor vehicle, would it make you feel safer? Should we have graduated licenses for new drivers like they have for getting your car licenses?

Thanks again,
An obsessed angler
Jason