Talk Back: Should Boating be as Regulated as Driving?

Three children died in Oyster Bay waters and there's debate over whether there were enough life jackets and if the person driving the boat should have knew better than to have 27 passengers on his yacht that was reportedly made to hold 10 to 12.

A fisherman heading to an early morning tournament on the Great South Bay was killed when his boat was sliced in half by an alleged drunk boater.

Right now there is no junior permit, junior license, or license required at all to own and operate a boat. Even a heavily suggested boating safety course isn't required once someone is 18. Literally anyone over 18 can launch a boat in New York water and only must comply with Coast Guard regulations relating to working lighting, safety jackets and other required emergency items. Local enforcement can detain boaters if it appears someone driving a boat is intoxicated.

So Patch wants to know: Is it time that the act of driving a boat be as regulated as driving a vehicle?

Vote in our poll and then share the reasons for your vote in the comments section.