Pleasurecraft Operator Card - Cash Grab or Useful? POLL

Post by **Out4trout** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 7:52 am

I'd like to get your take on the PCOC.
I've had mine for several years, I wrote the test without studying, and only got 2 wrong answers. So my opinion is somewhat based on that... took my money for little returned value....

Post by **troutnmuskiehunter** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:04 am

I've had mine for many years as well....I'm just hoping that the authorities will start to enforce this law and check pleasure craft owners for their license on the waterways!......I'm sick and tired of having "younger" operators buzzing around anglers with their mom and dad's seadoo or tinny making an azz of themselves while people are quietly fishing!!

I voted YES

Post by **Jimmy_1** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:16 am

I agree with Steve. But I voted no.
I use to race Sea-doo's when was 16. I had a 94 XP.
I think its the mindset of the operator actually.
Regardless of if they have this card or not they'll still drive like idiots.
They bought a PWC to do that in the first place!

Now obviously not all PWC owners drive like idiots, but a good portion do and will continue to.

Post by **GR8-Scott** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:23 am

I, as well, have had mine for several years. My uncle actually organized a session at his house for family members, and friends. Since he has a boat at the cottage, and if we wanted to use if for pleasure boating or fishing, we needed our PCOC.

He contacted an authorized company and they sent a guy to his place to do the "presentation" and we had the test at the end. Even though most of what he taught was common sense, for us, there was a few things that we didn't know. It was kind of an open-book / collective effort to complete the exam....therefore we all passed with flying colours. That said, he told us that we ALL couldn't have scored 100% on the exan, so he would have to adjust them slightly, but we all would pass.

We eventually got our card in the mail, and never heard anything ever again.

Therefore, based on my experience and the presenter's comments,
I vote YES...it is primarily a cash-grab.

Post by RJ » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:44 am

Pure cash Grab.

Try replacing one....the Gov't has no record of anything....

If you don't have one now...do it now....the price is about to rise....hence...more tax grab....

Just because someone sat in front of a computer for half an hour to get the card, that doesn't mean they will abide by it....

RJ

Post by **Joey Rat** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 8:57 am

I got mine when I got my boat a couple of years ago. And while I agree its a cash grab, at the very least it forces people to at least think about some of the rules. Hopefully now that it's mandatory for everyone enforcement will be tighter and some of the yahoos will get pulled off the water.

Now what we really need is a BROC. Boat Ramp Operators Card.

Post by **gorfman007** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:29 am

Joey Rat wrote:I got mine when I got my boat a couple of years ago. And while I agree its a cash grab, at the very least it forces people to at least think about some of the rules. Hopefully now that it's mandatory for everyone enforcement will be tighter and some of the yahoos will get pulled off the water.

Now what we really need is a BROC. Boat Ramp Operators Card.

I agree look at all the ninnies with a driver's permit who are on the road

!! I have mine it was a farce at the testing session. I also took some couses from the power squadron. That was more challenging and informative.It might jerk some brains out there but i'm not sure......

Post by **beachburger** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:33 am

100% cash grab butt at least new boaters, both adults and kids, need to read some basic stuff in order to get the card. Not sure how much of the exam fee ends up in gov't coffers since the program is delivered by private companies.

I finally got mine last year (no studying, 2 wrong) but I always thought it was strange that until the card became mandatory for all boaters, one was allowed to bomb around at 70MPH in a bassboat without the card but was considered illegal putting about at 10MPH in a 12 ft tinny with a 9.9HP.

Post by **lundman** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 9:43 am

i don't think it is a cash grab, I think it is a tool for the MNR and POLICE services to use against you in court in the event of any charges to prove you were a competent boat operator. Without this it would be harder to make charges stick in court.
Your more guilty if you knowingly committed a offense.
If the MNR or POLICE were concerned about our safety or the safety of others, this coarse would be at least a three day coarse with a 50/50 chance of passing.

JUST MY OPINION.

Post by **Billy Bones** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:46 am

Of course it's a money grab.
I was certified to carry passengers by the U.S. Coast Guard when I chartered on Lake Michigan in the 70's and early 80's. That was a 5 day course. When I produced my certificate, was told it didn't apply.

Ridiculous license, aimed at the personal watercraft market because of all the accidents by kids using this motorcycle on the water. The government just took a look and saw an extra few bucks there.

Just my opinion, but a damn good one.
Billy Bones

Post by **Terry_F** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 10:56 am

I think it became a cash grab by accident.

The general opinion is that it was introduced to curb the use of PWCs by kids and other yahoos.

The watercraft industry lobbyists jumped all over it and it became so diluted we ended up with someting close to useless that appears to be a cash grab.

Applying the same rules to a kid in a 12' with a 9.9HP as to another kid on a super powered, super fast water crotch rocket is plainly stupid, but that is what a powerful lobby did.

Lesson learned, what could we as fishing enthusiasts really achieve if we organised a good lobbyist.

Just think about it.

Post by **Out4trout** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 11:24 am

A 14ft fibreglass canoe with an electric trolling motor requires a PCOC...
even if paddling the canoe with the motor tilted up.

I can't even begin to imagine the damage such a dangerous machine could cause...

Post by **misty-river** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 12:04 pm

cash grab I picked up my license last year at the Ottawa boat show never even looked at any paperwork on the subject and had 2 wrong answers

I have been boating and fishing for 45 years and like some of the rest of you have seen and heard of some god awful mishaps in that time

If done and enforced properly it can be a very good thing as it would keep a few of the idiots of the lakes and rivers we use

Post by **muskymatt** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 1:34 pm

I really don't care if it's a cash grab or not. I have it , it cost me $40.00, it's good for life!!! Now they recognise me as legal on the water.

As long as they leave me alone and it helps to keeps drunken, stupid, irresponsible people with no experience and no etiquette off the water I'm just fine with it.

Post by **Jimmy_1** » Sat Feb 28, 2009 3:01 pm

I agree. A 12-14' tinny with a troller or 9.9 for duck hunting is ridiculous.

Now semi-auto shotguns are being targeted......
They even wanted the PAL to be used for crossbows at one point.....

Its getting kinda crazy!

I agree that there should be a boating license of some sort. But alot of vessels should be exempt. Like jon boats, canoes etc.

Anything that his 14mp/h and faster...something like that.

J

Fish-Hawk.Net

Pleasurecraft Operator Card - Cash Grab or Useful? POLL

Is the Pleasurecraft Operator Card a cash grab, or is it really going to make things safer on the water?

Pleasurecraft Operator Card - Cash Grab or Useful? POLL

PCOC

Re: PCOC