SKIPPERS LISCENCE FOR INLAND WATER

Mouldz

Sealiner
Are u guys as frustrated about skippers liscence as I am,in Port Alfred Lightleys advertises boats for hire,no experience or skippers liscence required,kids putter around in unstable bathtubs with no s/l because motor is under 15hp,yet I must fork out thousands of bucks for skippers.
 

griff

New member
Is this the same lightleys that are in Knysna.

 

What a joke. My wife or mom who both don't know nada about boats are permitted to get on these large pleasure/cruiser/sleeping boats and skipper themselves around the lagoon. (I don't even get into my wife’s car if she is driving ). These boats are large and to skipper and negotiate yourself around the lagoon is a mission. I have witnessed many of these run aground, pass other boats (mainly rowing boats) very closely and generally used just in very unsafe means. I don’t believe anyone without a firm understanding of boating can use these safely.  

 

I have heard many heated discussions about the “Lightleys” business amongst the locals in Knysna. Why should they be given permission by the authorities and yet an elderly fisherman who may have owned and used his fishing boat for years now has to go for a skippers licence to enjoy fishing.????????

 

I believe that all who use boats, (whether the boats, yachts, ski’s etc be powered by motors, sails or rowed) should know the basic rules to the waterways, safe practices and basic emergency procedures. However these very exorbitant fees paid over for skippers licences cannot be viewed as fair to those using powered boats.

 

In a nutshell we cannot do anything and this money making racket will continue. Blood from us stones!!!!!!!!!!!!!
 

Mouldz

Sealiner
Hi Griff ,yes same as Knysna,I agree with some kind of compency test every year for  a minimum fee,I have been skippering boats on the Port Alfred river for about 30years yet  I must fork out mega bucks for someone to tell me I am capable,I just wonder were these bucks go as the S/L test is done by private individual,it certainly does not go back into river control on our river as we dont even have river control officer,illegal bait collecting is rife among the locals,over December the river is a free for all,wake free zones are not respected etc.
 

griff

New member
All the same problems in Knysna.

 

I share the same thoughts as a few in Knysna. Why does the parks board not sell bait to the public. Have legal bait collectors and they supply the parks board. That way there would be some form of control. Also can you just picture what will happen to a person collecting bait without a licence. These now employed people would police what is effectively now "their" income.
 

Mouldz

Sealiner
They do have something similar on Swartkops riverPort Elizabeth,u only supposed to by bait from "legal" collectors wearing green jackets,not the best system but better than nothing
 
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