Re: [Paddlewise] Licensing

> serious licensing would put canoe (probably kayak too)
> rental operations and the like out of business?
>
> Dirk Barends

I'm not so sure.  Auto licensing hasn't put auto rental places out of
business.  Although obviously it would cut down dramatically on the
"tourist/ un-planned/ spur-of-the-moment" type rentals.  But somehow I think
that might not be all bad.

In general, as I mentioned before, (assuming we get past the notion of
licensing at all) I think levels of licensing would be appropriate.  For
example, Canoe/Flatwater Level: could be obtained by simply passing a short
test regarding the use of safety gear and demonstrating an ability to
control the boat.  (This test could be administered by a rental company,
which would have certain responsibilities under the law by virtue of being
licensed to administer the test and grant such license.)  Kayak/Open Water:
could be obtained by demonstrating the above plus an ability to do a wet
exit and re-entry, both assisted and unassisted, plus perhaps some other
rescue and communications skills.  Etc.

Regarding the several comments that certain incidents would not have been
avoided by a mandatory licensing system -- of course they wouldn't have.
Licensing can't stop stupidity.  In general, I don't think it should ever be
assumed that a law will completely "stop" the offending conduct.  Laws
against murder have never stopped people from killing people.  Laws do have
some deterrent effect.  But there are at least two other important purposes
of laws: (1) to express a collective view of the community -- such as: the
community abhors people killing people, or: the community is concerned that
boaters be sufficiently skilled to avoid hurting themselves and imposing a
cost on the community. And (2) to create a system whereby those who offend
our community values can be "punished" in some way -- such as: those who
murder go to prison for a long time; or: those who fail to observe our
standards for the operation of boats will be fined, or possibly even denied
the right to operate boats, either for a period of time, or forever
(depending on the offense).  Laws against drunk driving don't stop drunk
driving, really.  But those who repeatedly offend will have their license
taken away, and at least that says that we, as a community, don't want them
driving.  Also, they can then be arrested for driving.  All in all, I think
one has to recognize the functions of laws, and to acknowledge that they are
not a perfect solution, but just one of the only ones we have.

Just a couple of thoughts from the peanut gallery. . .

Mark


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