Coast Guard six pack

[pikedreams]

I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal out of this. I got my captains licence and it's not that big of a deal. C,mon, you can make up for it in 2 guide trips! You can't cut someones hair in this state without a state licence. So whats the big deal about having your fishing guide pass a test on the basic rules of the road and the safe operation of a boat. Good God people quite whinning and get your 6-pack.

Would you like your house wired by an unlicensed electrition? Or an unlicensed plumber? I don't think so.

[Kyhl]

I don't know why everyone is making such a big deal out of this. I got my captains licence and it's not that big of a deal. C,mon, you can make up for it in 2 guide trips! You can't cut someones hair in this state without a state licence. So whats the big deal about having your fishing guide pass a test on the basic rules of the road and the safe operation of a boat. Good God people quite whinning and get your 6-pack.

Would you like your house wired by an unlicensed electrition? Or an unlicensed plumber? I don't think so.

The difference for me is who is the governing authority?

I have no issues with the state regulating licensing. I agree that they should.

*At the state level we have more control regarding the licensing costs

*At the state level we have more control regarding the testing requirements.

*At the state level we are closer to the enforcement which help us adjust the rules to fit our situations.

*At the state level the money stays closer to home. Follow the money.

These are just off the top of my head. I am sure there are more reasons like control of resources.

[pikedreams]

Fair question kyhl, but the money isn't the issue, it's who has authority over what waters. Currently you only need your 6 pack if your guiding on Coast Guard waters. Inland lakes are governed by the state.

[nblasin]

Not true pikedreams. Many popular inland lakes are including for needing a 6-pack to guide on. There are two differenct lists of inland lakes that I have seen and even the CG can't agree on what lakes are included. I don't think many guides have a problem with getting some sort of credentials, it's the irrelavant nature of material included in the 6 pack compared to what most inland guides actually encounter on a daily basis. I'm all for the state to administer some sort of a test, and cpr training and what ever else as long as it is relavant. I also disagree with you that taking a week off to take the exam and pay that much $ does make a differnce in these tough economic times for many of us. I wish it didn't but that's just the reality.

[Alagnak]

Not exempt from all 'inland' waters unless they are land locked (no inlet/outlet) basically. Any watershed drainage going into the St. Croix, Mississippi, or MN is how it read to me. Yeah, thats a lot of lakes that are 'inland' and a lot of little rivers flowing between. I have the 6 pac and could care less by the way. This is just how it was explained to me. You basically need a lawyer to break it down. A bit ridiculous for MN waters. Greats lakes, large rivers as I mentioned and lakes over X amount of acres should need it (3-4,000?). Not even the 6 pac in its entirety though- a watered down version for MN waters that makes sense for this state at a LOCAL level. Boating safety, background check, eye test, physical, drug test, cpr/first aid are all things a guide should have. The TWIC card requirement is a fricken joke and so it 90% of the 6-pac test for our specific. It should be an online or CD test or a night class or two. Nobody should have to take off work and lose a weeks pay to sit in class to get this. It's way overkill by big gov. F'em

Fair question kyhl, but the money isn't the issue, it's who has authority over what waters. Currently you only need your 6 pack if your guiding on Coast Guard waters. Inland lakes are governed by the state.