More on mandated education

Last week I found a story about a proposal to require kayakers take boating safety classes. And I didn't like it. The story focused on sea kayakers and made the case we needed to be licensed. I thought the problem was bigger than sea kayaking.

Today, John Fetterman responded to my blog. You have to read it. He makes a good case for education. States that required motorized boater safety classes saw a 30 percent drop in fatalities.

In 2007, six people died in kayak and canoe accidents in Maine. Only one of those people was wearing a life jacket. I remember that one of those people not wearing a life jacket was a man who didn't know how to swim.

Fetterman makes the case that all boaters could use mandatory education. I agree that increased education and awareness can save lives. But don't wait for the state to make a new law. Learn now.