http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.s...y_courses.html

Now, if only all states would follow. I would still like to see it in place for ALL boat operators, regardless of age.

Dam, I really despise Cumo! This will make us just about as safe as his banning magazines that hold more then seven rounds and so called assault weapons. How do legislate stupidity?

Padraig

I absolutely hate his gun law, which is unjust at so many levels and proving near impossible to enforce, especially when your county sheriffs openly and publicly announce they, and their deputies won't enforce it.

This one I truly believe is good. I am tired of idiots not knowing the rules and laws of the water. Just because you can afford to buy a boat doesn't mean you have the knowledge to operate it safely.

I have taken it twice, once as a teen and again as an adult. It amazes me to know how many people I boat with that haven't taken a course and have know idea how many rules they break all the time. And these are people that know how to operate a boat.

On a side note, why is it that coast guard and other law enforcement officials refuse to take their shoes off when they board your boat for an inspection. On my boat, there are NO shoes worn under any circumstances. It angers me that because they have a badge they think they can **** on my boat, F$&k that

I have taken the 8 hour boating course and the USCGA Boating Skills and Seamanship course. The 8 hour course was supposed to be just for learning how to teach boater safety and they made me take the test. I managed to get 100% without reading a book or have a book. How good is this training?

I have been arround boats for many years and have just gotten my first performance boat. It is a challenge to drive the boat since it does things I do not expect. However, relying on common sense and habits previously learned, I am able to drive the boat (safely I hope). I wonder if Cuomo knows how to drive a boat or even what a boat really is. However, the bill was introduced by a Assembly person from down state New York due to an accident where either drugs or alcohol was invovled. This is just another attempt at the government is trying to control our lives. If they were interested in safety, they would require the proper training for boaters.

When I bought my boat (last fall). Iwas given a short (2hour) session on how to drivew the boat and what to expect. I thank the dealership that sold it to me for that brief training. It has made my transition to this type of boat a great deal easier. However, I do NOT have to worry about the Reichfurher's edicts, since I have taken boating courses and plan to take a few more.

I'm torn on this one as no question, there are morons every day creating danger for themselves and others. Yes, education is a good thing.

However, you know the saying "you can't fix stupid"? Well, legislation can't either. First, gun magazine size reduction will save us, then 5 points on your license if caught texting while driving in NY will save us. (There are actually safe text zones at rest areas on the NY Thruway)!

Now a boater safety course will save us all on the water?? Why do I doubt this?

The bigger the nanny state, the less personal responsibility.. Very sad.

Maybe because they can get hurt boarding the boat without shoes then sue you or file a workman's comp claim?

O great now there gonna pull anyone over for no reason, there reason will be just to check this, total BS here in Buffalo Ive seen the same jet ski get pulled over three times in a hour, now they will be doing this to all of us, as far as boarding goes they have always been considerate and stood on my platform, maybe I'm lucky I just haven't met "that" guy yet, but u can refuse them and take them to the nearest dock I know a few that do this all the time..

I too am torn on this one - and I live in New York State. (I also happen to have taken and passed both the 8 hour Boating Safety course required for jet skis and the much more comprehensive US Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship courses.) I too agree that the Boating Safety course for jet skis is pathetic at best, but a friend and former USGC Chief at the Rochester Station recommended I take it anyway with my son. Judging by the new & improved boating skills displayed by jet skis since the new law took effect ... Wait a minute, they're still acting like total morons. Never mind.

So on the one hand, more educated boaters should make for better boaters. But does anybody here really believe that a course one can take online will have even the slightest effect on one's ability to dock a boat or maneuver in rough seas? For instance, the captain who had 27 passengers on his 31' Silverton with a fly bridge when it capsized most likely would have passed the course, and killed those poor kids anyway due to plain old stupidity. Yup, you can't fix (or educate) stupid.

Sorry, this is a purely political fix that will do little or nothing for real boating safety, It will fill some state coffers with money for silly courses though.

Will they honor out of state saftey cards? Or will you have to take the test to do a poker run in NY.