Comments on: Florida Lawmakers Float Boater Safety Bill http://www.northescambia.com/2015/11/florida-lawmakers-float-boater-safety-bill Local News for Molino, Bratt, McDavid, Century, Walnut Hill, Cantonment Fri, 10 Apr 2026 03:16:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Pensacola pete http://www.northescambia.com/2015/11/florida-lawmakers-float-boater-safety-bill/comment-page-1#comment-310662 Pensacola pete Thu, 05 Nov 2015 11:36:27 +0000 http://www.northescambia.com/?p=233848#comment-310662 The minimum age requirement would be the safer route, IMHO. Do we assume boating requires LESS maturity than driving a car? Waterways and the Gulf don't have lane markers, speed limits or exit signs if you get lost. With some of the antics I've seen, I wouldn't oppose a mandatory boating license like a drivers license with similar requirements and penalties for violating the law. Saving $20 on registration if I buy a $200 EPIRB isn't much incentive so I don't see this making any impact at all. Those who would benefit from the discount can't afford an EPIRB. I agree that knowing where to look will save time, money and ultimately lives but there must be some "homing beacon" technology that's affordable to the average boater. The minimum age requirement would be the safer route, IMHO. Do we assume boating requires LESS maturity than driving a car? Waterways and the Gulf don’t have lane markers, speed limits or exit signs if you get lost. With some of the antics I’ve seen, I wouldn’t oppose a mandatory boating license like a drivers license with similar requirements and penalties for violating the law.

Saving $20 on registration if I buy a $200 EPIRB isn’t much incentive so I don’t see this making any impact at all. Those who would benefit from the discount can’t afford an EPIRB. I agree that knowing where to look will save time, money and ultimately lives but there must be some “homing beacon” technology that’s affordable to the average boater.

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