Coastguard Regulation

Tennessee has a law for everyone born on/after Jan 1, 1990, will get expanded if this happens.

U.S. Coast Guard Asks Congress to Allow Standards 09/07/06

The U.S. Coast Guard has finally stepped up to ask the Congress to give them the authority to set federal standards for operational proficiency for recreational boating. This would be mandatory education and likely would set a standard that can be met by state rules and approved by the Coast Guard. 44 states now have some requirement that at least cover some youth and personal watercraft. We agree that we need something as many accidents occur daily because of ignorance of basic safe operation. Surveys in the past have overwhelmingly agreed to some sort of mandatory education for boaters.

Missouri put a law in a few years ago that not only do you have to be 14 yrs. of age to operate, but anyone born after i believe it was something like 1984 or so had to take a mandatory online test or 5 hour class and receive a license to drive. And then they tag on the costs of course, $15 to TAKE the test (if you fail you have to pay again) and $15 for the license.

and...it did nothing. there are still jackasses ALL over the place here.

Just like people behind the wheel of a car. Can't fix stupid. It is just a way to create revenue but it doesn't stop people from driving stupid.

ya, I completely agree w/ you guys on that one. Especially this past Labor Day weekend. It seemed like every time we were out, we'd have 4 or 5 close calls with people who didn't know how to drive. It seems like the worst part is that people who get rentals don't have to get them (supposedly they have a 24 hr. relief from needing a license or something?). So the people who REALLY need to know the stuff compared, to those of us who have grown up on the lake and know what we're doing, don't end up having to get it.