August 9, 1990

MRAA POSITION

MRAA strongly opposes mandatory licensing of recreational boat operators.

BACKGROUND

Over the past 30 years, recreational boating has achieved a truly outstanding safety record. During this time, the fatality rate of water-related accidents has decreased each year from over 20 percent per I 00,000 boats to 5 percent per 100,000 boats today. At the same time, this dramatic reduction has taken place during a period of time when both the number of boats and the number of Americans who enjoy boating have increased significantly.

Even though the fatality rate has continued to decline each year to a level that many people knowledgeable in boating safety believed would be impossible to attain just a few years ago, some people in the boating industry and the law enforcement area have expressed concern that this trend may change in the near future. In anticipation of the potential long range effect of congestion on certain water on the fatality rate and the number of accidents, these individuals are promoting operator licensing. They see licensing as a way to increase boating safety. Under the licensing proposals, every boat operator would be required to pass a simple test similar to a written automobile driving test to receive a permit to operate a boat.

MRAA VIEWPOINTS

MRAA believes that many of the safety problems on the waters are generally caused by cases of boaters not knowing what their responsibilities are and inexperience. In other words, it appears to be a problem of ignorance.

In addition, boating accident data published by the Coast Guard annually consistently shows that an overwhelming majority of boating mishaps are caused by carelessness, frequently the result of alcohol abuse.

It is our opinion that requiring a boat operator to carry a license or permit cannot ensure that common sense or respect for the rights of others will be honored. We do not believe an operator of a boat who has received a license obtained by sitting for a simple test will suddenly become a safer boater.

We also believe that in our present climate of "no new taxes" in the states and at the national level, it is physically impossible to obtain the necessary money to fund the bureaucracy needed to staff, organize and enforce a successful mandatory operator licensing program. Without adequate funding, a mandatory licensing program may create an unsubstantiated feeling of knowledge and safety among American boaters which could cause more harm than good. Thus, defeating the original purpose of the license.

Unlike automobiles, boats are produced in a wide variety of sizes, shapes, and horsepower and are operated in a wide variety of conditions and environments from small lakes, to rivers, to the world's oceans in weather from peaceful calms to severe storms. The complications of a simple mandatory licensing system would overwhelm most state authorities ability to justly enforce them. A 300 horsepower ski boat obviously operates significantly different than a 17 foot sailboat and operators of these two boats have different safety concerns.

MRAA believes that it is imperative that all avenues of gaining safety on the water be explores. MRAA suggests that dealers do their fair share to increase boating safety by developing an "in house" training plan; by developing sound relationships with the Coast Guard, state law enforcement agencies, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and U.S. Power Squadrons; by opening dealerships and marinas for use as boating safety education classrooms; by promoting already highly successful safety courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Power Squadrons to purchasers of new, used, and brokerage boats; by promoting yearlong safety awareness programs in public service announcements and in the news print media; by promoting the activities of National Safe Boating Week; by selling the idea of safety and safety equipment when a boat is sold; by encouraging boaters to wear a PFD (lifejacket); and by promoting public awareness of the harm of alcohol abuse on the water.

In addition, MRAA believes that existing boating laws should be enforced by increasing the number of fully trained and equipped law enforcement officials. For this reason, MRAA strongly supports full funding of the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fund and will work hard to extend the application of the Trust Fund to new areas of boating safety concern.