Had a discussion about age and boaters class, my son was scheduled to take boaters class, but prior to this we were shrimping and game warden pulled me off the water because he was only 14 and had not taken the class yet. Someone please correct me if I am wrong and I know the law and he was wrong for not knowing the rules he is supposedly enforcing. Am I missing something
Wicked fishing
The law clearly states an under aged boater must obtain the course if operating a boat unsupervised and powered above a 15 horsepower. This was the law then and the same law in 2013 again unless I am missing something
Wicked fishing
I had my son take the online course. I think the one in person might be better but there were scheduling conflicts on our side the prevented it. Either way, great info for boaters of any age. To be clear, it will not make him ANY better of a boater. The course just explains the ‘rules of the road’.
I would strongly recommend it. Now when we go out, I can have a few beers and let him drive. I am the ‘Navigator’ so I can still tell him where to go (…he even listens occasionally to humor the old man).
He was shocked at how many basic rules people break as we drive around. At least he knows them.
I can’t comment on the right / wrong on the incident. I know there was a GW that used to hassle me and my friend when we were younger. We knew him by sight from a mile away - and the same for him b/c he never missed a chance to ‘chat’ with us. Only got 1 ticket in all that time and we deserved it! They really are out there trying to protect us from ourselves.
I got mad at how many ‘police’ boats were on the harbor the last big holiday weekend but then read on Monday about 5 boaters killed in that same weekend. That changed my perspective a bit. Some might be rude, some might be jerks, but they are trying to help and have to deal with idiots all day long.
Flounder I agree to some point, I have three sons and 1 daughter all went to college. Now one is a law enforcement detective, one cordinates search and rescue for the coast guard, and yet another is a Fireman in Summerville. My daughter is in Grad school at the Citadel to be a counselor. I would expect and hope you would as well that they just not try and do their job, people lives are tremendously affected but do it the right way. Why should I expect anything less from a game warden!
Wicked fishing