God, I hope other states don't follow. This is little more than harrasement and will provide little or no safety benefit. I honestly don't believe this is an education issue. Most boaters are well aware that they shouldn't throw another boat around with a big wake. This is like sending someone to drivers training class because they have too many speeding tickets. Do you really think after the 3rd ticket they didn't know it was illegal to speed? I support having some training (aka power squadron, CG auxiliary), but once the government steps in and makes it a law, you get silly things like this where people get harrased for no good reason. I'm curious if this has been tested in court as states are not allowed to control interstate commerce. If you are mearly transiting, can they require you to meet licensing regulations not required by your home state? If we get harrased next time thru, we will spend as little as possible and get out of the NJ as quickly as possible. Mike & Tammy Valhalla II --- On Wed, 10/27/10, John & Judy Gill <jjgill@twojscom.com> wrote From: John & Judy Gill <jjgill@twojscom.com> Subject: Re: GL: OVERTAKING & PASSING PROCEDURES - Hailing Port Info To: "M S" <valhalla360@yahoo.com> Date: Wednesday, October 27, 2010, 11:27 AM MS, Your reply is precisely why the state of New Jersey passed legislation requiring "everyone" to take and pass a basic NASBLA safe boating course in order to operate any vessel in their state. Hopefully other states will follow their leadership and help reduce boating accidents and deaths. Note, NJ marine police are stopping out of state vessels to check on their educational certificates. If you don't have one, they can require you to hire a licensed Captain to take your boat out of the state - at your expense. John

As a lifelong resident of the Overly Taxed State of New Jersey, I have a different perspective on this. My view is that NJ forced this new TAX on boaters in order to collect more money from the sheeples. You will notice that NJ lead all other states in new taxes implemented for the last three years BEFORE Gov. Chrisite's term. Before that, they may not have been #1 but they were close. My perspective is that if the guvment's motive was truly boating safety, they would have instituted this requirement WITHOUT a fee.....make it easier for people to comply and provide incentive to comply. " If you don't have one, they can require you to hire a licensed Captain to take your boat out of the state - at your expense." I have to challenge this assertion. I looked up the legislation. Read it for yourself, dont take my word for it. http://www.state.nj.us/njsp/maritime/pdf/title12ch7_012910.pdf (from page 19 of the PDF document referring to section 12:7-61) A person who violates subsection a., b., c. or d. of this section or who exhibits to a law enforcement or peace officer a certificate of completion of an approved boat safety course of another person is subject to a fine of not less than $100 nor more than $500. R. > From: John & Judy Gill <jjgill@twojscom.com> > Your reply is precisely why the state of New Jersey passed legislation > requiring "everyone" to take and pass a basic NASBLA safe boating course > in > order to operate any vessel in their state. Hopefully other states will > follow their leadership and help reduce boating accidents and deaths. > > Note, NJ marine police are stopping out of state vessels to check on their > educational certificates. If you don't have one, they can require you to > hire > a licensed Captain to take your boat out of the state - at your expense. > > John