We have that in NJ as well. Started two years ago.

More than likely they had to take the course but as Can Do suggested...my guess is inexperience.

"Changes to New Jersey boating statutes require all power vessel operators to possess a boating safety certificate from an approved course by June 1, 2009. This requirement will be phased-in via four annual steps commencing June 1, 2006. Guidelines concerning the implementation schedule are listed below. Additional details may be found with the New Jersey State Police's Marine Services Bureau.

Persons born in 1969 or later must possess a Boating Safety Certificate by June 1, 2006
Persons born in 1959 or later must possess a Boating Safety Certificate by June 1, 2007
Persons born in 1949 or later must possess a Boating Safety Certificate by June 1, 2008
All persons who wish to operate a power vessel must possess a Boating Safety Certificate by June 1, 2009 "

Me, my husband and both my adult children have taken the boating safety course and have our cards.

IMO these classes should have to be renewed every 5 years if you want to stay on the water. I feel there should be boat licensing too and many disagree. It doesn't make sense that you have to have a driver's license to drive a car but not a boating license to operate any power-type equipment on the water. How does this make sense?

CAP, excellent link to what the lights/sounds mean. I'm printing it out and putting on the boat and plan to read it when we're just sitting on the water from time to time. That's how I need to educate myself because we do forget things over time (I will never forget red right return), especially when the last class one took was 3+years ago in most instances. Maybe an advanced 1 day course for those who have been through the courses. Take a test prior to doing so and see how well you remember. It's not going to be that easy IMO.

I'm going to go out on a limb. I'm going to claim that these boater safety courses have never saved one life. Why? Because people have such short memories. Here is California, it is illegal to make a U-turn in the middle of the block in a business district, and for good reason. It is dangerous with cars pulling in and out of parking spaces and driveways. Yet, I see people doing this almost everyday, and they have driver's licenses (well, except for the illegals). If they can't remember something as simple as that, how are they going to remember what the number of mast lights mean?

Probably the best you can do is post the regulations where boats are going in and out, and hope a few people read them.

Michael

When My brither and I were kids there was a couple of families lost when there boat hit a submerged cable as the slack came out of it in the sound probably 1982 or 1983. The boat was out of cedar island marina.

We kind of knew the families form the marina and it cut the boat in half. everyone on board died. Two young girls(my age at the time) and both of thier parents. barges have always made me nervous since then and I don't go across at night.

There is a good book about a similar situation many of you may like to read. Its called dead men tapping!!
Its sheds some light on the coast gaurd you may be surprised by.
I was and I have been around boats my whole life.

Awsome book thats for sure.

My condolences go out to the families.

I have to disagree with you on this. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing but its got ignorance beat by a long shot.
I would be willing to bet that many lives have been saved by safe boating courses.I would hope a good percentage of people that take these courses realize that more knowledge is required than the course may provide. Common sense is nothing more than what you use of the information you have previously taken the time to learn. For any one who can't remember white over white, Don't boat at nite.

This is a very good warning to bring up. Crossing a tow cable is bad news. This almost happened to a friend that had to run about 50 miles back from the San Juan Islands in Puget Sound at night. He almost went between a tug and its barge before he saw the light on the barge. If you see lights on a ship and another single light a long way back going the same speed, it is a tug pulling a barge. Do not cross.

Here is from the boaters test in Washington State

Watch for ships under tow in the shipping lanes.
Never cross ahead of a tug or between a tug and its tow.
At night, know the light pattern that signifies a ship is either being towed or is towing another vessel like a barge.

I think it could get to be difficult to see a tow line even during the day. Here is an article about a submarine that hit a tow line 100+ feet under water! The line was 2500 feet long, half a mile!

Sub Hits Line 100+ Feet Underwater

Michael

amazing!

Some crazy chit there

I know this thread is old but for those interested you should read the book



DEAD MEN TAPPING. Its about a coast gaurd rescue gone bad off glouster mass on jefferys reef or something like that. Its one of the best books I have ever read and will make you think alot about boating safety.
Its a good read too not just a book to learn from.


When I was a kid and our boat was at cedar Island marina in clinton Ct some people were crossing at night and got hit by the cable and barge.
The girls were my age (13 or so) . It stayed with me forever I can tell you that. I am nervous about barges to this day.

We sometimes go out of lighthouse point on ski's and jump tug wakes and it still freaks me out.