Licensing boat drivers – a violation of our freedoms or a way to save sailors lives?

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Anacapa Light
©Randy Bush 2009

Our Sailtime shipmates Randy Bush and Steve Van Hook overheard an interesting conversation on channel #16 a week ago. It’s kinda funny and bit frightening. It’s a dialogue between a powerboat captain and the Coast Guard.

This is Anastasia — where am I?

Saturday was one of those “gottta go out” days. Steve Van Hook and I had just completed a spectacular sail around Anacapa, and had Varekai’s bow pointed toward home. Around 1600 or so, the VHF came alive with an exchange between the Coast Guard and the powerboat Anastasia. It went pretty much like this: (My comments in parentheses).

ANASTASIA: This is the motor vessel Anastasia calling Coast Guard.

CG: Anastasia, Coat Guard Sector L.A. Do you have an emergency?

Randy Bush ANASTASIA: Uh, yeah, one of my engines is out and I need somebody to follow us home.

(The CG then went through their usual interrogation about number of people on board, lifejackets, etc.)

CG: Sector L.A. roger, what is your position?

ANASTASIA: Uh, we’re trying to figure out how to read this thing. We’re near Anacapa Island.

CG: Anastasia, Sector L. A. Sir, what part of Anacapa are you near?

ANASTASIA: Let’s see—the Southwest corner of the Island.

CG: Roger sir, how far off the Island are you?

ANASTASIA: We’re near Anacapa.

CG: (Beginning to sound a little irritated) Sir, I said how far off of the Island are you?

ANASTASIA: Oh, you know what? I think we’re actually on the East side. Right near this pointy tower. I think it has a light on top.

CG: Would that be the lighthouse sir?

ANASTASIA: Yeah that’s it.

CG: Roger sir, stand by.

(We think at this point the CG went off-mike so they could all laugh hysterically. Steve and I were almost on the cockpit floor)

CG: Anastasia, Sector L.A. Are you on the North or the South side of the Island?

ANASTASIA: Uh…

CG: Sir, are you between the Island and the mainland?

ANASTASIA: Yes, we are between Anacapa and Oxnard Harbor. My port engine is out and I need someone to follow us back in.

(Isn’t that why you HAVE two engines? It’s not a friggin’ airplane after all)

CG: Roger Sir, understand. Suggest you continue toward the harbor and we’ll contact Vessel Assist. Sector L.A. out.

Pretty soon Anastasia appeared off our starboard quarter.

“Better give that guy a wide berth,” quipped Steve.

I did.

As funny as this is, it’s also quite sad. What if this guy had had a real emergency? He and his passengers (nine of them) could have been toast because of his total cluelessness. I guess we’d all better keep a wary eye out for the Anastasias of the world.

—Randy Bush

Capt. Dan comments:
There are way more power boaters than there are sailors, so that’s part of the reason our shipmates don’t sound foolish at the same frequency as others. But I think the most important reason that sailors seem more competent than powerboat drivers is that it takes training to operate a sailboat. That training usually includes basic navigation, rules of the road, and teaches sailors to be “forehanded” to think ahead.

Many would-be powerboaters find a sexy looking boat in the showroom, look at the wheel, spot the ignition key, write a check and are off on an adventure. That level of knowledge can be hazardous in an inland lake, on the Pacific it’s only a matter of time before they scare themselves – or us.

From time to time, they have serious, sometimes fatal but avoidable accidents. Many is the weekend we’ve heard Mayday calls from skippers who did not know the name of their boat, where they were or where their next sip of gas was coming from.

Licensing makes sense to me. Just a simple online test or an ASA certificate. But even better than a state or federal license – a big break on insurance for people who have taken the time to hone and then prove their skills.

3 thoughts on “Licensing boat drivers – a violation of our freedoms or a way to save sailors lives?”

  1. I’ll take the test.
    I’ll show my certs.
    I’ll even spend the money I save with Geico to help stimulate the economy.
    Now do I get to paintball Joe power boater as he overtakes me at the demarcation line and dam near swamps my boat?

  2. Paintball–I like that. Or maybe a water cannon fed from the holding tank…

    And as much as I detest government interference in our lives, I too cast one vote in favor of licensing.

  3. I also detest unnecessary government interference (unnecessary being the operative word here). However, I totally agree with Dan “that Licensing makes sense.” I also love the paint ball approach as well!