I had a lot of navigation / safety training while in the Navy and that helps with some stuff. However, when taking any standardized exam there is a lot of stuff that to make sure to get it right you sort of need to cram for. For example, I still remember a lot of stuff (memonics like "red, right, returning" and "even red nuns have odd black cans"), but things can change (black cans are typically green now). Also, who would know or remember the exact length brackets for Class A, 1, 2 and 3 vessels? Or exactly what to fill out for a "float plan."
I'm going to basically do the on line course, take a practic exam and then do the on line exam straight away so I don't forget some of the 'nonsense' factoids. I'd prefer to see more emphasis on safety and less on "a Class 1 vessel is between 16 and 26 feet long." I'm sort of surprised on the amount of stuff that is administrative / factoid in nature. And judging by the way a lot of speed boaters and jet ski people act on Winni, I wonder about the impact. I'd hope this would improve things on the water...has it?
And White Cap -- thanks for reminding us! Obviously doing the internet / on line exam is more convenient than a proctored exam...Eric
John S. and anyone else: you were right about the "age" issue. For me (42) the requirement kicked in this year. For anyone born on or after 1957 (but before 1963) it kicks in in 2007 and for everyone else its 2008. The big thing about the 1/1/07 deadline is regardless of whether you're required to have it in 2007 you won't be able to do the on line test...
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: A REMINDER link for eric h
Thanks for making that clear Eric, I'll wait til my Social Security check comes in and take the test, in case I flunk it 3 or 4 times, LOL.
Seriuosly, good idea to take it before the deadline and get it over with.
John S.
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Replying to:
And White Cap -- thanks for reminding us! Obviously doing the internet / on line exam is more convenient than a proctored exam...Eric
John S. and anyone else: you were right about the "age" issue. For me (42) the requirement kicked in this year. For anyone born on or after 1957 (but before 1963) it kicks in in 2007 and for everyone else its 2008. The big thing about the 1/1/07 deadline is regardless of whether you're required to have it in 2007 you won't be able to do the on line test...
My two cents...take the course in your state of residence from your own Enviroment Police Force. Usually it is free. I took mine (with the whole family)in Massachusetts and it was several nights over the span of a few weeks. It covers me in the other states I boat in. If you take the the NH online course it will cover you for NH waters only and not other states. The EPO that taught my class said Mass. is only a few years from enacting the same license requirement as NH and will they will begin charging for it as well. I believe there is a link to it on the Mass fish and game website.
Its just too bad that "NASBLA" is too much like the acronym for "NAMBLA" ("north american man boy love association"). LOL. When I was a kid, after reading about those wackos in the paper, I would answer the phone with it..."north american man boy love association"...it drove my parents nuts but often resulted in a lot of laughter on both ends of the phone!
Proline
When we took the course in New Hampshire, they told us that the internet course was accepted by NH only. After taking the course in a classroom you were go for everywhere, at least that is what they told us.
That's what I mean if not clear, the NH or other state classroom class covers you everywhere, the NH online course is only good for NH waters. Sorry if I wasn't clear.
THANKS FOR ALL THE INFO GUYS.IT LOOKS LIKE I'M IN FOR A BOATING CORSE THIS WINTER.LIKE HAS BEEN SAID I WOULD RATHER HAS A CERT.FROM MY OWN STATE(MASS)THAT WAY I CAN USE IT ANY WHERE.FROM MAINE TO NEW YORK PLUS CHEAPER INSURANCE.
