Yep, family stories are great. Just like with our "family" here on this forum: there's always one that makes you shake your head.
Sorry, I don't buy into: the example of one incompetent shows that all who have that degree/license/specialized training did not benefit from their education.
As one approaches a new endeavor, there is always a learning curve. Some move up that curve faster than others. Most benefit from education regarding that endeavor. In every class, there is someone at the top of the class, and someone at the bottom. But even the person at the bottom of the class likely has more knowledge than someone who hasn't taken the class.
I get that there are plenty of people who have no use for a Captain's License - it requires an investment in time, effort, and money to get there. And not all who try for it will achieve it. I would assume the majority of boating folks would not care to take on the responsibility that goes with actually using the license. Or, would not see a potential return on their investment.
That said, will a person who puts forth the effort know more about many aspects of safe boating after taking the class? Absolutely. So, it is worthwhile? Depends on the individual. My license has paid for itself many times over, so monetarily, it was a good investment. Knowledge wise: it has been priceless.
I learned about ded-reckoning (from "deduced reckoning"), even though I had been using the techniques before the class (and, yes, I know that "dead" is also used for that term) and many other boating related things. I suppose one could get their entire knowledge base from fun little sayings from his or her grandparents, but it would be rare that those delightful grandfolks knew all about "the Rules of the Road, fire safety, marlinspike seamanship, current electronic navigation, and the most up-to-date training for CPR"... etc, etc.
Plus, there is no guarantee that knowledge from the grandparents functionally passes through to the subsequent generations, as evidenced by incompetent siblings, bless their hearts.
To get back to Ken's original question regarding the value of getting the license - some folks here (who don't have the license) have stated why they haven't pursued it. I have no issue with that. Personally, I see the value, even if you don't go on to get boat jobs. There is a LOT more that goes into taking out passengers for hire than just getting the license - but that is the starting point. And, everything worthwhile has a starting point. A person won't be at the top of the knowledge base when you take that first step, but I sure don't see the downside of continuing to learn about the things that interest you. I do try to point out what I found to be factual about getting the licenses.
You can learn much of it without taking a class. A class will organize and focus the climb up that learning curve. Really, and I'll try not to say it again here, learnin' is good! :wink:
Jim
Sorry, I don't buy into: the example of one incompetent shows that all who have that degree/license/specialized training did not benefit from their education.
As one approaches a new endeavor, there is always a learning curve. Some move up that curve faster than others. Most benefit from education regarding that endeavor. In every class, there is someone at the top of the class, and someone at the bottom. But even the person at the bottom of the class likely has more knowledge than someone who hasn't taken the class.
I get that there are plenty of people who have no use for a Captain's License - it requires an investment in time, effort, and money to get there. And not all who try for it will achieve it. I would assume the majority of boating folks would not care to take on the responsibility that goes with actually using the license. Or, would not see a potential return on their investment.
That said, will a person who puts forth the effort know more about many aspects of safe boating after taking the class? Absolutely. So, it is worthwhile? Depends on the individual. My license has paid for itself many times over, so monetarily, it was a good investment. Knowledge wise: it has been priceless.
I learned about ded-reckoning (from "deduced reckoning"), even though I had been using the techniques before the class (and, yes, I know that "dead" is also used for that term) and many other boating related things. I suppose one could get their entire knowledge base from fun little sayings from his or her grandparents, but it would be rare that those delightful grandfolks knew all about "the Rules of the Road, fire safety, marlinspike seamanship, current electronic navigation, and the most up-to-date training for CPR"... etc, etc.
Plus, there is no guarantee that knowledge from the grandparents functionally passes through to the subsequent generations, as evidenced by incompetent siblings, bless their hearts.
To get back to Ken's original question regarding the value of getting the license - some folks here (who don't have the license) have stated why they haven't pursued it. I have no issue with that. Personally, I see the value, even if you don't go on to get boat jobs. There is a LOT more that goes into taking out passengers for hire than just getting the license - but that is the starting point. And, everything worthwhile has a starting point. A person won't be at the top of the knowledge base when you take that first step, but I sure don't see the downside of continuing to learn about the things that interest you. I do try to point out what I found to be factual about getting the licenses.
You can learn much of it without taking a class. A class will organize and focus the climb up that learning curve. Really, and I'll try not to say it again here, learnin' is good! :wink:
Jim