Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1956-07-02
Boat Licensing
Plan Favored
By House. Unit
rs Million Face
Requirement to Get
Operating Permits
Bv John v. HORNER

today raised the possibility that
millions of Americans will be re-
quired to obtain licenses to oper-
ate pleasure boats.
In fact, most members of the
House Merchant Marines and
Fisheries Committee who dis
cussed the subject at a hearing
indicated they favor such a step
/ Some members appeared sur
prised that no examination OF
statement of any kind is re-
quired to operate pleasure craft
The principal requirement al
present is the registration ano
numbering of boats with the
Coast Guard, which has certain
authority pertaining particularly
to equipment safety.
The only witness at today's
hearing was Coast Guard Com
mandant. Vice Admiral Alfred C.
Richmond, who urged the COM
mittee to approach the licensing
idea cautiously because of the
practical problems involved. He
said there is no parallel between
the licensing of boat and auto
mobile operators but agreed
there is room for study of the
proposal
Admiral Richmond testified in
the interest OF Federal leader
ship for a uniform system OF
laws regulating boats in waters
throughout the United States
He pointed out that motorboat-
ing recreation was enjoyed last
year by 25 million people anC
this poses many problems Of
safety.
Fears Confusion
UNLESS we can have uni
form system of Federal anC
State laws. said the Admiral
I'VE are going to find ourSelve!
in a hopeless moraSs of contra
dictory terms Of reference. mean
ings. restrictions, confusion
with a resultant leSSening O.
safety on the water"
The commandant said there
should be a broad Federal foun'
dation of law to set the mini
, mum standards upon which thu
States can base their laws. II
their own eaters then, he added
the local governments could am
plify these minimumS to fit in
/, dividual or peculiar local condi
tons within the framework o
the uniform code
He said the law should b
simple, effective. easily under
!, stood and enforceable. In tn
|. final analysis. he declared, tn
most important factor will b.
the education of people to tn
law and to regulations under 1t
Representative TollefSon, Re
publican of Washington, raiset
the question of requiring pleas
ure boat operators to be licensed
i, Admiral Richmond said he say
administrative difficulties if tina
were done and he also predictel
widespread protest from owner
of small craft. He said an in
dividual may be proficient wit
one type of boat and not wit
another and he wondered no,
the proposed system could b
made effective.
f Offers Solution
Representative Mailliard. Re
e publican of California, said tn
t license might well be based upo
knowledge of rules Of the road
! for shipping. He thought thi
: would be an excellent way t
2 carry out the education program
' advocated by Admiral Richmond
, Representative Garmaez. Dem
e ocrat of Maryland. commente
( that operators of boats SHOULD
e at least be required to hav
sight and hearing if they ar
going to venture into congeste
rivers, bays and inlets.
, In questioning by Chairman
, Bonner, Democrat of Mort
! Carolina, it was developed tina
. the Coast lacks authority
prevent a small boat from pro
ceeding into dangerous water.
although the service can inspec
, craft for equipment and cit
! violations Of existing law.
Admiral Richmond said h
, would not like to see anythin
which would restrict boatin
"unduly" but promised to explor
the committees suggestions.
Il am beginning to think W
:, are going to have some kind c
license, and probably soon" re
a marked Representative Allel
!, Republican Of California.
d n = Rou IL