| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
Question for Marine Police
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Date:
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5/26/2010 3:05:55 PM
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On the front page of this web site, there is an article concerning the need for a boating license in Alabama. Does this now apply to out of state residents too? My understanding was that as long as I was legal in my home state (Georgia), I was OK in Alabama. Clarification of the requirement would be appreciated.
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| Name: |
lakngulf
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| Subject: |
Question for Marine Police
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Date:
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5/26/2010 3:37:31 PM
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Not sure what you speak in Jawja, but in Alabama we only give the test in Anglish. Makes sense to us....
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Answer for Jim Dandy
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Date:
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5/26/2010 4:17:23 PM
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Jim:
You getting lazy in your old age, the article is not 100% correct as once I read it I said did the law change as the article states all Alabama Boaters are required (LIKE NOT EXEMPTIONS) to be licensed and that is not correct after a quick Google search.
Q. Is anyone exempt from getting the Alabama Boater's License?
A. Yes. The following people are exempt from getting the Alabama Boater's License:
- A holder of a valid United States Coast Guard MotorBoat Operator's License
- A person who submits a successful completion of:
A United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Course
Any state of Alabama Marine Police Division approved boating course
- Any boat operator who was born prior to April, 28, 1954
Non-residents aged between 12 and 14 years, who had obtained a Boater Education Card in their home state prior to January 1, 2002
- Non-residents that are 12 years of age or older who reside in a state that does not require boater education, that are not in Alabama for more than 45 days per calendar year.
Notice the 45 days Jim, and the law further states -- If operating a vessel for more than 45 days per calendar year, the non-resident must get an Alabama Non-Resident Vessel Operator's License. Non-residents who have obtained a vessel certification or license from their home state, may use that in lieu of the Alabama Non-Resident Vessel Operator's License. I will be recording your weekend excursions on Alabama waterways. Heck you are already past the 45 days this year so better get an AL boating license.
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Answer for Jim Dandy - Whoops I Forgot
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Date:
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5/26/2010 4:26:10 PM
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Operators 12 or 13 years old, after obtaining the vessel operator's license, can only operate if there is someone 21 years old or older on board, who also has a vessel operator's license in possession, and is seated in a position to take immediate control of the vessel if necessary.
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| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
LNG
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Date:
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5/26/2010 4:30:38 PM
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As long as the test is administered in Redneck, I'm OK.
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| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
Answer for Jim Dandy
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Date:
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5/26/2010 4:33:13 PM
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Well, that's the exemption I was looking for - glad the rules didn't change a couple of days before the big weekend. As for the 45 day rule, I wear my cap backward half the time so no one will recognize me!
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Answer for Jim Dandy - Age Exemption
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Date:
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5/26/2010 5:08:24 PM
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Jim:
I was not talking about the fact you are an out of state resident, I figured you met the age exemption - LOL.
Going underground till after Memorial Day now as Jim is going to be hunting for me.
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| Name: |
jwh445
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| Subject: |
Answer for Jim Dandy - Age Exemption
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Date:
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5/26/2010 5:13:27 PM
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Wish I would have read this sooner. I read the front page, and immediately took the online test and paid my 30 bucks for an AL boaters certificate. I fall for everything, it's people like me that keep the economy going.
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| Name: |
lakngulf
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| Subject: |
LNG
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Date:
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5/26/2010 5:16:57 PM
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LOL, me too!!
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| Name: |
GoneFishin
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| Subject: |
JWH
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Date:
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5/26/2010 5:28:40 PM
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There is no need to be upset about taking a boating course. Too bad anyone is allowed to boat on the lake without having taken a course in safe boating and rules of the sea. $30 is a pitance if you apply what you learned while out boating with the family.
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Time to pee on Mav's dock.......again!
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| Name: |
Feb
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| Subject: |
Jim...
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Date:
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5/26/2010 11:12:59 PM
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I am rather confused about the two Mav's.
Are you referring to the new Mav who I thought took over the old Maverick's handle, or are you talking about the old Maverick who is now supposedly Maverick II?
Oh Hell's Bells, who's dock are yall going to urinate on?
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| Name: |
Maverick II
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| Subject: |
Jim...
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Date:
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5/26/2010 11:22:35 PM
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Mav II is the new Mav...
The old Mav is still the same, OLD. ROFLMAO!!!
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| Name: |
Capt M Brooks
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| Subject: |
Correction on exemptions....
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Date:
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5/26/2010 11:59:26 PM
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People who were born before April 28, 1954 ARE NOT exempt from having a vessel operator's certification (license)...they are exempt from having to take the online course, other approved course or exam in order to obtain the certification. Persons holding a valid U.S.C.G. motorboat operator's license are also exempt from having to have the class or take the exam but still must have the V endorsement. All Alabama residents 12 and up MUST HAVE a vessel operator's certification in their possession when operating in Alabama public waters. 12 and 13-year-olds must have a licensed operator on board who is at least 21-years-old and in a position to assume control of the vessel should the need arise.
Successful completion of an approved boating course (online, Power Squadron, U.S.C.G., Alabama Marine Police, etc.) exempts a person only from having to take the test for certification. The V endorsement still must be obtained and added to your automobile operator's license.
Out of state residents may legally operate for 45 cumulative days in a calendar year without having to obtain a vessel operator's certification UNLESS their state requires certification, then their state's certification must be carried when operating in Alabama. We require out of state residents to carry identification with them when operating to prove they are an out of state resident, especially with so many out of staters who register their boats here. We recommend that anyone out of state who boats regularly in Alabama go ahead and obtain an Alabama Out of State operator's license.
Photocopied licenses are not acceptable and it's also not acceptable to present your online boating course completion number or boating course certificate as your "license". This law was passed in 1994, enforcement began in 1999 and currently we have over 600,000 certified operators. The old "it's Friday before Memorial Day weekend, 4th of July weekend or Labor Day weekend and I can't get my certificate back in time" or "I've been to the courthouse three times but the lines were too long" excuses have gone the way of the dinosaurs.
In my 15+ years with the Marine Police I have personally witnessed a better-educated and more safety-aware boating public emerge chiefly due to this certification requirement law that went into effect in 1994. There are always going to be people who test the limits or simply don't care, but those are the ones we're here for. Most people are smarter, better equipped and take fewer risks thanks to the boater education program in Alabama.
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| Name: |
Maverick
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| Subject: |
Correction on exemptions....Matt or Gary?
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Date:
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5/27/2010 12:24:08 AM
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So you are saying if you are born before the specific date you are exempt from the exam, but are still required to have a V on your licenses. Did I read such correctly?
As if so, I think I will check with my lake neighbors this weekend as they would be exempt based on age and I would be willing to bet they do not have a V on their license.
Thanks for the clarification, as I would have to assume there are a lot folks exempt based on age which do not have a V on their license.
Also thank you for your continued diligence in making the Alabama waterways safe to navigate, hope Memorial Day weekend is an uneventful one for yourself and your officers.
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| Name: |
LakeLover
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| Subject: |
Question for Marine Police
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Date:
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5/27/2010 8:10:49 AM
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Excellent clarification Capt. Brooks. Even I understood that. :-)
LL
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| Name: |
lakngulf
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| Subject: |
Drivers License in Possession
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Date:
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5/27/2010 8:56:39 AM
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I am fairly diligent to take my driver's license with me when I go boating. I put it in a zip lock and put it next to the seat. All is fine. But then I get back and a grandson wants to ride the "scubby doo" and we jump on and go for a ride in the neighborhood, and, of course, my driver's license is still in the boat at the dock.
What are the options for duplicate licenses? If stopped without a license but close to home, will the marine police follow me back to my boat for the license check?
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| Name: |
jwh445
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| Subject: |
JWH
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Date:
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5/27/2010 10:31:15 AM
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In no way did I imply I was upset, on the contrary, I am happy to donate money to help make our lake a safer place. I was merely bringing attention to the fact that, yes, the front page article was very misleading. Looking forward to a fun and safe boating season.
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| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
Yep
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Date:
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5/27/2010 11:45:23 AM
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Going to be my first stop Saturday morning.
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| Name: |
Jim Dandy
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| Subject: |
Thanks for the clarification - NT
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Date:
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5/27/2010 11:48:03 AM
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| Name: |
Capt M Brooks
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| Subject: |
That's correct Maverick
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Date:
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5/27/2010 3:45:02 PM
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Those born before April 28, 1954 (also known as those who were 40 years old on or before the date the law went into effect on April 28, 1994) are exempt from the course or testing requirements only. To be in compliance with the law, he or she MUST have the V endorsement on their license. The "grandfathering" clause basically eliminates one step for them.
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| Name: |
Capt M Brooks
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| Subject: |
Drivers License in Possession
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Date:
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5/27/2010 3:52:05 PM
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We don't allow photocopied licenses because it is very easy for someone to forge a document or "create" their own license using today's computers, scanners and printers. We also typically will NOT follow a boater back to his residence because it can be an officer safety issue and it increases the time the officer is tied up on the stop. For the most part if you are stopped without a license we will check with dispatch to see your license status and then issue a warning or citation depending on the circumstances. If you receive a citation for not having your license in your possession, the charge is dismissed by law once the individual proves to the judge that he or she had a license at the time of the stop.
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| Name: |
Ulysses E. McGill
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| Subject: |
Drivers License in Possession
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Date:
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5/27/2010 5:30:53 PM
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Interesting...so there will be no fine if we have a brain laps (forget our license) then later prove we were properly licensed? Would this require an actual court appearance or would we be able to stop by and show it to an official?
BTW, I always try and carry mine, but like lakngulf I have forgot it on occasion (usually when hopping on the waverunners for a quick ride). I'm not trying to game the system.
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| Name: |
BigBlue
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| Subject: |
Drivers License in Possession
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Date:
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5/28/2010 10:23:17 AM
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We live out of state and my 15 year old son has taken the AL boater safety corse. We have the certificate but he does not have a license. What will he need to have with him to operate a PWC.
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| Name: |
woodman60
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| Subject: |
Drivers License in Possession
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Date:
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5/29/2010 9:26:53 PM
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I dont mind paying for the license but i have copies of the test laminated in all the PWC and boats for my kids and myself. They stay on the boat. Since this is about $$ as well as safety, I would suggest being able to get 'official' copies from the govt for about $10 each for all up to 5 total. It could not cost but a few cents to make a 'official copy' and the govt can get a little more money from this tax.
I would buy 5 and have one in each of the boats and PWC. Throw in my kids and that would be 10 more. See I just made the govt about an extra $150 and nobody counterfeit anything and I can enjoy my ride on any of my vehicles without the worry of not having the license.
Never thought I would ask for another tax. The tea party will be mad.
Cheers.
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