If you look at statistics, most deaths occur in small boats with a crew who have no idea what these words mean, because they don't have a license.
These are the most common reason of fatalities:
- Not wearing a lifejacket or PFD.
- Falling overboard.
- Capsizing, swamping, sinking, or running aground.
- Being involved in a collision.
- Operating a pleasure craft while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The goal of the license should be helping these people, not experienced ones, who anyways have more advanced license, not just the basic ones.