On first brush it is hard to be against this proposal. However, I would like to see how the state is going to fund such a project. The state is broke. Buying materials, having the staffing to teach and administer this, and renting facilities to teach and certify all off the boaters in this state is an expensive proposition.

There is very little enforcement on the water now and Police Marine Patrol Budgets are strained to the limit every year.

Most of the problem is no doubt alcohol related. Without a reasonable level of enforcement and penalties similar to drinking and driving there is no deterence for people not to drink and drive a boat.

If the state is serious about reducing accidents on the water then provide the funding to do Drunken Boater Enforcement and make sure the penalties match those of driving a vehicle drunk, to include the administrative license suspensions.

If this comes to pass then you can bet it will be the result of pressure on our legislatures from boating safety groups. As is typical with the legislature they will pass the law with no funding, maybe try to pass it off to local authorities as an unfunded mandate and the law will be full of problems.

At anyrate, my 5 cents worth.