Boating safety law urged
THE head of the federal agency that investigates transportation accidents is pressing California officials to require mandatory safety instruction for all boat operators.
Mark Rosenker, acting chair of the National Transportation Safety Board, met with officials from the state Department of Boating and Waterways last month to encourage the agency to pursue boat safety legislation. The agency plans to hold meetings with boaters early next year.
It is part of a larger NTSB campaign to persuade every state to adopt such requirements. More than 30 states require mandatory education for boat operators. Officials in Washington state plan to adopt similar regulations.
U.S. Coast Guard statistics show that 70% of boat operators involved in accidents never took a safety course and 32% of boating accidents involve alcohol.
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Hugo Martin
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