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ANOTHER VIEW: State Certification of Boat Operators Won't Block Most Fatalities

February 06, 2008 - Last summer, a horrible boating accident took place on Long Lake in Harrison. A high-powered speedboat cruising at a fast rate of speed, at night, with an allegedly intoxicated driver at the helm, ran into another boat on the lake and killed its two occupants.

A Jan. 21 editorial uses this accident as an example of why we need the motorboat safety bill sponsored by Rep. Thom Watson, D-Bath. The bill would require all motorboat operators in Maine to become certified or lose the right to operate in Maine waters.

But a safety certificate would not have prevented the accident on Long Lake. Common sense cannot be legislated, and it was a lack of common sense and responsible behavior that caused the tragedy last year.

Proponents of this "emergency" bill have also cited the 12 other boating fatalities that happened in Maine last year. Again, it is very unlikely that a "motorboat safety certificate" would have saved these people.

More than half of the boats involved had no motors and would not have required the operator to be certified. The other deaths were for various reasons, mostly small boats capsizing or someone falling overboard.

Last year's accident caused an immediate reaction by citizens and especially legislators. The feeling was that there must be something done to prevent another accident.

How about this? Don't drive boats drunk, watch conditions and use common sense instead of a burdensome and ineffectual boater's license that does not make common sense.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Rep. Jonathan McKane is a Republican from Newscastle

SOURCE: MORNING SENTINEL

DATE: 01-23-2008

Lakes: Long Lake
Regions: Sebago


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