Boarded by the Coast Guard yesterday

[labrador]

Bringing the boat up from Daytona. Left Sun. and got a USCG safty inspection yesterday outside of Oak Island, N.C. Very professional and went thru everything. One of the guys litterally looked no more than 15 and the side arm looked awfully big on this "kid" . Passed with flying colors and now have a report that should be good for a year. Pulled into Topsail last night and will get Makara home to New Bern this weekend. Man those cummins 330bs hum!!!! Did not burn one drop of oil in 570 miles travelled so far!!!

 

[REBrueckner]

I'm a big fan of the USCG but I have never liked their ability to board and inspect without reason....that's just too much big government for me....
Did you have an auxilary inspection sticker...in the NE that's usually enough for the official USCG to bypass their inspection....

 

[Pascal]

Been boarded a couple of times in the last 3 years, once in port everglades ans once in east river/long island sound, 10 minutes and painless

 

[MikeP]

I have to agree with Reb...courteous or not, I don't think they should have the right to stop/board any boat unless they have observed the boat to be doing something illegal or have some sort of probable cause.

The same goes for local authorities. I watched the locals stop every boat that came into a bay down near the Solomans and check their papers, etc.

The REAL police can't do that on the road, why should the pretend-police be able to?

 

[JLR]

I never mind being boarded (unless I have a mechanic aboard working on the clock). I kind of take it as a challenge since I am up to snuff on everything they are looking for. Also, I often take an early to mid April trip up the Hudson from L.I. Sound to fish. I always get stopped--last year--twice within 15 minutes of each other. Once on the East River on the Eastern side of the tip of NYC and then, 15 minutes later on the Hudson, on the Western side of NYC. The second stop was much shorter once I displayed my all clear yellow form and advised the CG that is was 15 minutes old. The only thing I did not enjoy was the rafting up part and the fact that the current was running 3+ knots in the East River so we were flying along with the current throughout the 20 minute stop--watching very large piers and pilings whiz by.

 

[Fanfare]

Lately I have been getting my boat and the dinghy inspected by the USCG Auxillary. This gives me two approval stickers, so I put one in the proper place on the port window and the other on the starboard. Does it help? Well, I haven't been stopped in the Bahamas yet!

 

[labrador]

I just bought the boat and have applied for documentation which I was told will take for up to 4 months to get. They just looked at the application and it sufficed. we were in a narrow part of the ICW and were advised to keep moving under power at idle speed for the boarding, never stopped as the current was running about 2 kts. No I did not have a coast guard aux sticker and believe me that wouldn't have worked anyway. There was not much traffic on the ICW but what there was, they were stopped also. I was a little leary at 1st as my paperwork consisted of a bill of sale and the aformentioned application with an out of date Fla reg. sticker with Fla. numbers on the bow. They told me to leave everything as is until the paperwork comes thru. Not much delay at all but they were pulling everyone over, must have passed us 3 times.

 

[GJH]

It's gonna be a nice weekend Skip. We'll be over at the Cape starting tomorrow afternoon if you want to make a detour. All this reminds me I am overdue for a USCGA inspection. Time to check the flares!

 

[captpl]

JLR, you only have to "receive" the boarding party, the USCG does not have the right to raft up to you. As the master of the vessel it's your call, not theirs. Tell them that their vessel is improperly fended (again your call). You have the Right to continue making way (unless your vessel travels faster than the boarding vessel) at a reasonable speed and discharge the boarding party after their inspection. I've also had them remove their BLACK shoes prior to entering the cabin. A small plaque "boating shoes only" will keep you within the law as far as that request goes.

 

[Walter P]

Labrador,

I'm sure they were not picking on you, but you may have met a specific profile....I know profiling is not politically correct but none the less it happens - thank God for that. Another possibility is that they were on a major training mission or they were looking for someone or something specific. In any case they were doing their job.

As far as any other law enforcement boarding you without cause, I would think it not legal. The key is without cause but keep in mind that that's a BS requirement since "cause" can be made up pretty easy. The US Coast Guard (not the Auxiliary) may board without cause.

All that being said, I do recommend that everyone have a free courtesy examination (safety check) by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or the US Power Squadron and get your sticker, when you are in full compliance with the requirements. By the way the required safety items are really bare minimum and a prudent skipper will greatly exceed those requirements for the good and safety of him/her and his/her passengers. One more thing....don't let the auxiliary or power squadron member down the dock who happens to be a friend or is too lazy to do a good inspection give you a sticker that you shouldn't have. You may be very sorry when something happens that could be averted by a thorough inspection.

Walt

 

[captddis]

Labrador,

I'm sure they were not picking on you, but you may have met a specific profile....I know profiling is not politically correct but none the less it happens - thank God for that. Another possibility is that they were on a major training mission or they were looking for someone or something specific. In any case they were doing their job.

As far as any other law enforcement boarding you without cause, I would think it not legal. The key is without cause but keep in mind that that's a BS requirement since "cause" can be made up pretty easy. The US Coast Guard (not the Auxiliary) may board without cause.

All that being said, I do recommend that everyone have a free courtesy examination (safety check) by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or the US Power Squadron and get your sticker, when you are in full compliance with the requirements. By the way the required safety items are really bare minimum and a prudent skipper will greatly exceed those requirements for the good and safety of him/her and his/her passengers. One more thing....don't let the auxiliary or power squadron member down the dock who happens to be a friend or is too lazy to do a good inspection give you a sticker that you shouldn't have. You may be very sorry when something happens that could be averted by a thorough inspection.

Walt

Yes, no telling what dire harm may come to the vessel without the discharge of oil plaque, garbage disposal plaque, waste management plaque, Or the dereaded un secured Y valve handle!

 

[JLR]

Folks, as a lawyer and a Captain with a 100 Ton Masters, I can tell you that the CG was not picking on me. It was so early in the season that they had nothing else to do. Also, as far as whether they are or are not allowed to board me, you know what they say about lawyers who represent themselves (fool for a client). However, when it comes to a knock at your door at home, I always heed the words of my law school prof told to me over 30 years ago when the policeman comes to your door and asks "mind if I look around". The answer is ALWAYS--yes I do mind (so no consent).

 

[captddis]

They may not be picking on you but it is just wrong. The CG does a warrantless search of your boat under the guise of a safety inspection and the law is on their side. You give up your rights as soon as you set foot on board. The CG should stick to the business of SAR and guarding the oceans.

As far as it is OK they are training crew, I did not buy my boats to use as training platforms for the Govt. The CG can use their own boats for that.

Like most law enforcement it is all about revenue generation, period.

 

[34Hatt]

Man those cummins 330bs hum!!!! Did not burn one drop of oil in 570 miles travelled so far!!!

Get use to that, because that's what they do

Congrats on the new boat Good luck.


As for Coast Guard that sounded like a typical safety check and the USPS/Auxiliary sticker is worthless!!!!!!

I have had the Coast guard ask me if I had a recent safety check and I said yes and showed them the sticker. Their reply was well then you should be a easy one and we will give you a piece of paper that is worth something!
Their words not mine so now I very rarely bother getting a sticker.

 

[labrador]

George, we'll be heading up the ICW on Sat morning going to River Dunes for dinner and stay the night. Then a quick trip up to New Bern on Sun. Just want to get her close to the house so I can unload a lot of crap that we picked up from the former owner. Will have to skip the Cape this weekend however am looking forward to getting her out there. She also needs a good cleaning and some waxing which I'm sure will consume all my golfing time this spring.
Skip

 

[REBrueckner]

In one of my discussions with USCG patrol personnel I was told of their general training procedure.....new USCG personnel are typically introduced to boat inspections in "safe areas"...one I am thinking about was Jonesport, Maine, another earlier one, Eatons Neck, Long Island NY area.

After new personnel become familar with "safe" boardings in such low crime environs they can "graduate" to drug interdictions, boarding boats in drug infested areas and perhaps join Navy missions overseas....These young kids also learn how to read people's reactions, an intangible "profiling" that can save their lives when danger is present.

Having said all that, I repeat what I posted earlier: I do like the government poking around without cause.

 

[rsmith]

In one of my discussions with USCG patrol personnel I was told of their general training procedure.....new USCG personnel are typically introduced to boat inspections in "safe areas"...one I am thinking about was Jonesport, Maine, another earlier one, Eatons Neck, Long Island NY area.

After new personnel become familar with "safe" boardings in such low crime environs they can "graduate" to drug interdictions, boarding boats in drug infested areas and perhaps join Navy missions overseas....These young kids also learn how to read people's reactions, an intangible "profiling" that can save their lives when danger is present.

Having said all that, I repeat what I posted earlier: I do like the government poking around without cause.

"Having said all that, I repeat what I posted earlier: I do like the government poking around without cause."

With out cause? I can tell you dont own a boat anymore.


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[Trojan]

I can see You folks have not met up with the Boarder Patrol yet. You think the CG has to much power. The CG's power is nothing compared to the Boarder Patrol. They will board your boat at any time. Dressed in full combat gear wearing black combat boots. They can and will if they see fit totally strip down your boat and you can do nothing about it. The only thing you can do is sit back, BE REAL NICE and let them look. Hopefully not destroying your boat. Be arrogant and your in for a big mess. We were instructed to give them full rein of your boat.

BILL

 

[Walter P]

RSmith,

By your response to my last post I have to assume that you have no real knowledge of what a power squadron or coast guard aux inspection entails. You failed to mention that it also includes checking the condition of life jackets, making certain that flame arrestors are in place correctly, battery terminals are covered to prevent something from falling across them, fuel leaks, proper bilge pumps that work, bilge blowers that are properly ducted and the list goes on but I won't bore you with the facts.

As far as the comment from the young CG person that the sticker didn't mean anything to him, he's probably correct - it doesn't mean a thing to him because as with every organization the CG also has their share of incompetence. Before taking the comments of a low ranking crewman, I would contact the closest USCG sector office and get their opinions. I suspect that if the comment that was made as described above was brought to the attention of a superior that crewman would be delt with accordingly.

The US Power Squadrons and the USCG Aux are not trying to be law enforcement, the purpose of a courtesy examination is because most boaters don't really inspect themselves for all the safety issues on a boat.

By the way, no discharge, Marpol signs etc are required by law but many boaters don't even know that, so an inspector prevents that boater from getting in trouble later.

Last comment on this....remember a courtesy exam is strictly voluntarily...if you don't want it that's fine but that's no reason to berate a program that has saved many boaters over many years.

Walt

 

[rsmith]

RSmith,

By your response to my last post I have to assume that you have no real knowledge of what a power squadron or coast guard aux inspection entails. You failed to mention that it also includes checking the condition of life jackets, making certain that flame arrestors are in place correctly, battery terminals are covered to prevent something from falling across them, fuel leaks, proper bilge pumps that work, bilge blowers that are properly ducted and the list goes on but I won't bore you with the facts.

As far as the comment from the young CG person that the sticker didn't mean anything to him, he's probably correct - it doesn't mean a thing to him because as with every organization the CG also has their share of incompetence. Before taking the comments of a low ranking crewman, I would contact the closest USCG sector office and get their opinions. I suspect that if the comment that was made as described above was brought to the attention of a superior that crewman would be delt with accordingly.

The US Power Squadrons and the USCG Aux are not trying to be law enforcement, the purpose of a courtesy examination is because most boaters don't really inspect themselves for all the safety issues on a boat.

By the way, no discharge, Marpol signs etc are required by law but many boaters don't even know that, so an inspector prevents that boater from getting in trouble later.

Last comment on this....remember a courtesy exam is strictly voluntarily...if you don't want it that's fine but that's no reason to berate a program that has saved many boaters over many years.

Walt

EXCUSE ME? NEXT YEAR I'LL GET MY 40 YEAR SERVICE AWARD THIS WAS MY 15 FROM 1987.