Small Passenger Vessel Safety Act enacted

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

From "The Log"

https://www.thelog.com/local/small-...ail&utm_term=0_85f388c485-9e6837322a-47817425

 

[ksanders]

From "The Log"

https://www.thelog.com/local/small-...ail&utm_term=0_85f388c485-9e6837322a-47817425

Just reading from your post I have no challenges with that.

I do not like legislation in general, but when operators fail to act in what appears to be a responsible manner then it is governments role to act for them.

 

[Benthic2]

Didn't the dive boat violate existing rules by not having someone standing watch at all times ? I'm not sure additional laws are the remedy for people not obeying existing laws. In fact, if the Coast Guard gets bogged down in making sure I'm charging my iPhone correctly, I think the overall safety of boaters in the area may suffer.

 

[Bill V]

Too many times, people in government roles believe the answer to solving problems is more laws when existing laws are not being enforced. Before we go off half cocked and pass more laws lets enforce what is already on the books.

 

[Comodave]

Everything that is talked about is certainly needed. What is the complaint about having exits to separate areas so one avenue being blocked with fire doesn’t stop people from escaping? Why wouldn’t interconnected fire alarms be a good thing? I have them on my boat and feel that it is an important part of fire safety. And what is the problem of requiring crew to learn about potentially hazardous things lithium batteries? I think the legislation is certainly reasonable and certainly overdue and that it is disappointing that it took such a sad occurrence to make it law.

 

[Benthic2]

In order to codify something as a law you have to clearly define everything and be specific. Sometimes its actually difficult to put a common sense idea into words. I don't want to turn this into a gun thread, but this is just an example. People want to ban assault weapons, but defining an assault weapon is complicated. Is it based on sized, capacity, "look" ? Its like banning pornography.....how do you define it ? Is a naked woman with 3 strategically placed band-aids naked ? I could see a well intentioned law maker saying something like "no lithium battery charging in an enclosed cabin"......or "only 1 cell phone per outlet".....or "all circuit breakers must be 10 amps or less". The path from conception to implementation is not always smooth or simple.

And, we have to think about maximizing resources. A Coastie is a valuable resource on the water with all sorts of training and experience. Does it make sense for him to be checking your extension cords to see if you broke off the third/grounding prong ???

 

[ssobol]

Too many times, people in government roles believe the answer to solving problems is more laws when existing laws are not being enforced. Before we go off half cocked and pass more laws lets enforce what is already on the books.

The people in government who make the laws are just doing what they are hired to do. Enforcing the laws is someone else's job and not the responsibility of the law's authors.

Their job performance is judged by the laws they pass, not how many people get arrested/fined/incarcerated for not following said laws.

 

[psneeld]

The people in government who make the laws are just doing what they are hired to do. Enforcing the laws is someone else's job and not the responsibility of the law's authors.

Their job performance is judged by the laws they pass, not how many people get arrested/fined/incarcerated for not following said laws.

As a former LE guy ....the trouble with many law makers is they see the problem, come up with a law to deter it but have no clue how it can adequately be enforced. Even when LE input is requested, the final law doesn't fully take into account the input.


So it's not so simple .... people know or suspect poor enforcement and continue to break it. The there is a huge amount of ignorance of new or poorly publicized laws or regulations.


Just look at how poorly people on this forum know and follow the COLREGS. ..... and they are pretty simple.

 

[denverd0n]

people know or suspect poor enforcement and continue to break it.

People even ask for advice on HOW to break the law! Right here on this forum, how often do we see people asking things like that? Things like, "what happens if I anchor to sleep overnight without checking in?" Or, "I hear that if I go through the Bahamas first I can visit Cuba without prior permission, is that true?" And other things like that.

While I see some value in the regulations proposed by this law, I also agree that it is silly to pass additional laws, when existing laws would suffice if only they were enforced. Enforce existing laws FIRST, and then pass more legislation if it is truly needed.

But, as already mentioned, that's not how most legislators think.

 

[psneeld]

There are many laws that are very difficult to enforce.


A good example for NMFS (USA) or the USCG was a lot of fishing regulations.


One of the easiest to enforce is a "closed area or sanctuary"....a quick photo and a vessel could be sanctioned. Limits or size limits or methods all (might) take on site enforcement while "closed areas" can be done from a satellite photo.


So the very essence of laws should take into effect the ability to enforce and whether the law will actually accomplish what it sets out to.

 

[Alaskan Sea-Duction]

LOL Have you all ever came across a situation like this:

Law on the book.

Law passed that coaddicts above law?

 

[High Wire]

LOL Have you all ever came across a situation like this:

Law on the book.

Law passed that coaddicts above law?

Most of the anchorage restriction laws come to mind.