I think part of the problem are the yellow buoys themselves, not a lot of casual captains understand what they signify and steer between them. All a yellow buoy means is that there is something special going on, pay attention. There is a lot of sea room between the buoys and the reef, so someone could well do this for years and not hit anything. Ferry captains run inside there all the time.
In respect to CCCs and relative skill, experience is important but common sense continues to reign supreme. I have watched licensed experienced captains sail trimarans full tilt into the side of Tortola, in one incident in front of my house colliding with a parked car! I don't know whether he had a credit card or not.