A proposal to require mandatory boating safety classes for those who operate motorboats in Maine is being amended to address concerns that it could discourage young people from getting out on the water.

Rep. Thomas Watson, D-Bath, said he is amending his proposed bill in an effort to get it through the Legislature after seven of the 13 members of the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Committee voted against it last week. That same committee voted against putting a horsepower restriction on Long Lake – the scene of a fatal accident last summer – saying statute already exists to set up such limits on a lake-by-lake basis.

Watson believes his bill has a chance if he can move the debate to the House and Senate floor.

“The ultimate aim is to ensure that everyone who operates a motorboat on Maine’s water has a fundamental understanding of boating rules and common courtesy,” said Watson.

“I don’t think it’s a bad idea,” said Jim Allen, who owns the Naples Marina. He said he likes that the plan would come in phases and experienced boaters would be grandfathered in.

“People who have been boating for 40 years really don’t need a boating class,” he said.

Watson’s bill would require those operating a non-commercial motorboat in Maine to show proof they have completed a certified boating safety program. The rule would be phased in and apply to those boaters 20 years of age or younger in 2011. By 2016, all those driving a motorboat would have to show proof of passing a boater safety course. Tourists would be exempt from the rule if they are operating a boat in the state for less than 60 days or have a safety training certificate from another state.

Watson has amended his proposal to exempt people under the age of 16 from the training rule if they’re operating a motorboat with less than a 10 horsepower engine under the direct supervision of a parent or guardian.

Some type of boater training is required in 41 states and provinces, including New Hampshire, and those testifying in favor of the bill earlier this month said the rule could prevent accidents and save lives.

Dan Allen, owner of the Causeway Marina in Naples, said he supports offering a safety program, but has mixed emotions on making them mandatory.

“The best time to teach a person to boat is when they’re in their young years,” said Dan Allen. He said kids who are taught boating skills at a young age usually grow up to be safe boaters, but said safety courses offered in states like New Hampshire are large and and time-consuming.

“I can’t just see the state of Maine setting that up,” he said.

Dan Craffey, owner of Moose Landing Marina in Naples, said he already trains people in safety every time he sells or rents them a boat.

“The instructions are adequate and we’ve never had any mishap,” said Craffey. He said he has been renting pontoon boats for the past five years and none of his renters have had an accident.

Craffey said he’s in favor of the state offering safety courses, but would want to see what they look like before he takes a stance for or against them being mandatory.

“If it was a 50 hour course, I’d be against it,” said Craffey.

Dan Allen, Jim Allen and Craffey all said they oppose horsepower restrictions because they fail to take into account the weight of the boat.

“It takes a lot of horsepower to push a boat through water, and a lot of people don’t realize that. They compare it to car horsepower and its not the same,” said Dan Allen. He said he uses a 529 hp motor on a boat for his family and its top speed is 39 mph. The same motor on a lighter boat, however, would be able to go much faster.

“They were going to eliminate Maine families off of the lake,” said Jim Allen.

Dan Allen also said he disagrees with speed limits during the day time because safe speeds change with the number of boats on a lake. He said wardens already have the option of giving unsafe boaters a driving to endanger ticket, but there is a lack of enforcement.

“Unfortunately, enforcement is pretty much non-existent on our lakes,” said Craffey. He said he’s seen a lot of young people speeding in boats at night and would like to see that thwarted.

“We need more enforcement, plain and simple,” said Dan Allen.

There were 16 fatal boat accidents last year, including a widely publicized tragedy on Long Lake where a 30-foot speed boat powered by twin engines ran into a 14-foot boat without its lights on, killing both of its occupants.

But those against the bill said it is an unnecessary restriction in a state where boating is a way of life and would not prevent people, who are so inclined, from doing careless things.

“It’s bureaucratic red tape standing in the way of Maine folks enjoying their outdoor heritage,” said Rep. Jonathan McKane, R-Newcastle, who was particularly worried it would discourage kids from getting out on the water. “I wish they were doing it more,” he said. “What better place for them to be than messing around in boats?”

Watson said he proposed the exception for those under 16, operating under supervision, to get at those types of concerns.

“We tried to address concerns from people, who feel this requirement might limit the opportunities for young people to enjoy Maine waters,” he said, and “recognize that parents and guardians are certainly capable of supervising their own kids.”

Watson also is attempting to make it clear the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department would not be responsible for the training, which is available through organizations like the U.S. Power Squadron and Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Those classes, he said, are offered usually for the price of material only, and cost $25 to $30. The cost to the state would be minimal, he said.

The bill, as currently written, has a price tag approaching $400,000 because the Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Department assumed it would be responsible for the training – a fiscal impact that could lead to the bill’s demise.