Should Power boat or RIB users have a license?

There have been rumours that powerboat and RIB drivers are going to have to be licensed and yet nobody seems to know if this is true. I’m on the fence about whether it’s a good idea, as I don’t think it can be efficiently policed. After all there are enough enforceable laws around at the moment but little seems to be done.

I have heard that some dealers will sell their highest powered , biggest, fastest powerboat or RIB, to the first numpty that has the cash and no idea.

At JBT Marine (specialist rigid inflatable boat dealers), we do our best to persuade novices to take a minimum course, but there is the case of it being the last free thing around. Perhaps the answer is to make a practical and shore based course compulsory with the purchase of a powerboat, or have speed or power related restrictions. What do you think?

JBT Marine specialists in RIBs and Zodiac boats www.jbtmarine.com Royal Yachting association  RYA – www.rya.org.uk RIBs are somtimes refered to as Zodiacs or inflatables