Has Cruising Become Too Artificial, Too Expensive, Too Regulated ?

[Piney]

Have we lost the "freedom of the seas" that sailors have been chasing for thousands of years?? Every year I see more regulations, more mooring fees, higher costs and more governmental control of sailors and boaters. Are we being regulated to death?

Thoughts?

[boasun]

Not regulated to death yet!? But the regulations are being piled on faster than the speed of light.
As for the land of the Free... Yes you are free as long as you follow all of the sixteen zillion laws, rules and regulations. The average person probably breaks at least a dozen or more rules, laws and regulations daily, without ever realizing it.

[Randyonr3]

And you have a choice, to either stand on the outside and watch things change and just bitch about it or get involved and do some changing on your own..
I've been involved with RBOC for the last few years, and we do have a voice............

[GordMay]

I think not.

[Astrid]

As far as expense and regulations go, try flying private plane and compare that with taking your sail boat out for a trip down the coast.

[Piney]

My only hope is that as the governments fall into financial decay, there will be less and less money available to enforce the billions of regulations that have been forced upon us.

[zeehag]

there may be no where in west coast or east coast to anchor, but the seas are still free outside the us governmental limits.......sailing itself is still free.....

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Astrid

As far as expense and regulations go, try flying private plane and compare that with taking your sail boat out for a trip down the coast.

I agree.
Include around the world too.

Most of the cruising areas are still pretty good. So if 'home' seems over regulated come visit somewhere else

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by MarkJ

I agree.
Include around the world too.

Most of the cruising areas are still pretty good. So if 'home' seems over regulated come visit somewhere else

Thats what I like to hear.... Positive thoughts...

[jkleins]

What regulation has come on the books in the last 10-15 years concerning the cruising sailor? Maybe there are a few more places you can't pump your head or a few anchorages that are getting so crowded that they have gone to mooring balls. Other then that, what are the onerous regulations that are taking all the fun out of cruising?

Jim

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by Piney

My only hope is that as the governments fall into financial decay, there will be less and less money available to enforce the billions of regulations that have been forced upon us.

I sure hope you don't really believe this is an answer to anything!

[Jamel]

Originally Posted by zeehag

there may be no where in west coast or east coast to anchor, but the seas are still free outside the us governmental limits.......sailing itself is still free.....

Agree! Cruising is the way to go, get away from the bombarbment of bills, regulations and rules that seem to just be there to frustrate and suck the life out of the populace.

While the economies of the western world get into more mire.....go cruising, simplify your life, take control, reduce your expenses......and fish!!

[atoll]

Originally Posted by jkleins

What regulation has come on the books in the last 10-15 years concerning the cruising sailor? Maybe there are a few more places you can't pump your head or a few anchorages that are getting so crowded that they have gone to mooring balls. Other then that, what are the onerous regulations that are taking all the fun out of cruising?

Jim

off the top of my head can think of a few;
icc certification
vat registration,and enforcement of tax.
cumpolsary use of mooring bouys.

piracy in previously safe areas.

cruising permits

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by atoll

off the top of my head can think of a few;
icc certification
vat registration,and enforcement of tax.
cumpolsary use of mooring bouys.

piracy in previously safe areas.

cruising permits

Bludi CE regs....

[Efraim]

I hear cruising off Somalia is pretty good...no government, no rules, every man is his own boss. Sounds a little like paradise.