For those of you unfamiliar with the current situation, here's a couple recent articles from the St. Paul Pioneer Press that will help explain things a little.
http://www.topix.net/forum/source/twincities-pioneer-press/T7PMF9HG5B6SS4UB4
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/155142/group/Sports/
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I was shocked after talking with a couple of guides how big of an impact the Coast Guard's actions have on thier businesses - like totally shutting them down, immediately - and for what? Nobody is safter because of this. All boating regulations on the water bodies in question are more than adequately enforced as it is. If the Coast Guard has the resources to be messing with this, then maybe they have too many resources.
ReplyDeleteKraig Klund
Woodbury, MN
kraigklund@hotmail.com
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ReplyDeleteBrian...Aka Juice said...
ReplyDeleteBig Pike Mike
Good job for speaking out we need more fisherman to speak out. Im helping Griz pass this ridiculous exam. Trust me I took the exam. The Griz and myself are working with some great people to have this exam changed. Were trying to put a rally together in Duluth were there has been a great impact on resorts. The waterways affected are roughly additional 250-300 lakes beside's the one listed on this site. Thoses of us that went through the exam know that this test has very little to do with what we do on our waters. However, if your on the ocean this could be a good exam knowing what to look for on a mine sweeper or a sub or charting and plotting a coarse on Long Island sound. It surprises me more Captains arent on board with this as they know what it took to pass this ridiculous exam. We need more people like you speaking out. This exam WILL change just don't know how long it will take. I belive we need to be licensed and insured with cpr,drug test and background check I get it. I agree with a class training but it needs to change for our business and waters that we will be guiding on. This is what we are trying to change.
Brian
playinghookymn
brianrock1@msn.com
I have agree with Brian. The depth of the exam and boating experience has little to do with guides. I am a CG licensed captain and know how extensive it is. Actually what the CG is doing is enforcing a regulation that has always been there. The reg states that anyone carrying passengers for hire (ie: some form of consideration) on federally navigable waters must be licensed. Even boat salesman need a license. Believe it or not. I don't know what prompted the CG to enforce a reg that has never been enforced. It is not exclusive to Mn. This is nation wide. My cousin in Maine is a guide and got his license years ago because of the reg. Some state regs actually require a Masters license. Mn. state statues are alittle ambiguos. They actually do state that a Masters license is reguired. But as I say the wording is hard to interpret. All fishing boat charters skippers on the Great Lakes have licenses. As for inland lakes are concerned I don't believe licenses are required because they are not federally navigable waters. The road to a 6pack license is long and hard. Usually about a year if you can pass the test the first time. The $1000.- $1500. for the coarse is only a portion of the cost. Fee's can add another $400-$600. because of medical exam, drug testing, application fee's and more. The TWIC card is a royal pain. This is also another 100-$200. This will be a long fight which may not be winnable due to it being fought with the Federal government. A national, all states movement may be what is needed.
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