Boarded by USCG

[MikeP]

On our way to Oxford, MD a couple of days ago we were boarded by the USCG when we were a bit southeast of Tlighman Island. We were eastbound, cruising along at 9.5 Knots when the CG boat approached from our forward port quarter, turned on their lights, and fell in behind/pulled up along side.

Two coasties came aboard via the swim platform as we continued along at idle - about 6 knots.

They were very polite and wanted to see:

1. Appropriate number of life jackets (since there were two of us on board, they only needed to see two USCG approved vests). We have 12.

2. Boat registration/documentation AND a photo ID of some sort.

3. Waste Management Plan,

4. Throwable ring or otherwise USCG-approved throwable device

5. Closed/locked seacocks for overboard discharge for heads (turned off/handles removed is acceptable)

6. Oil Discharge Placard/sticker

7. MARPOL garbage dumping placard/sticker

8. Appropriate number of fire extinguishers (the big engine room CO2 system counts)

9. Copy of rules of the road

10. Working Horn

Of course, they can check many more items should they decide to but the above is what we were required to show them at that particular boarding. As I said, they were very professional and courteous. They also suggested that the Schooner restaurant in Oxford had the best Fish and Chips! Sadly, Schooners is closed on Wednesday so I tried the fish/chips at the Robert Morris Inn. Don't make that mistake.

 

[Boatsb]

So they didn't notice the 30 Mexicans in the genny room?

 

[Dan Mapes]

We were stopped so many times in NY Harbor that it got to the point that we passed over the old receipts and they merely copied the data over and handed us a new receipt.

 

[krush]

Isn't it great that they need no probable cause to search your boat?

 

[rsmith]

Achtung! Your papers please!

 

[MikeP]

Well, my feelings re their "right" to do so - whether I agree with it or not - vs what they COULD have looked at/asked about and chose not to, makes me tend to not get too upset about it... They only looked at boat safety-related/environmental stuff.

When they boarded, I commented that I assumed they did so because our registration stickers were not visible. I had not removed our windshield cover since we were operating from the FB. The cover wraps around the front side windows and covers the registration sticker. But the CG guy said "no, we don't care about that." He said that the boardings are totally at random unless they have some specific reason to look at a specific boat.

He also said that if the USCG stops the boat again anytime within a year, if you have the last inspection sheet on board and show it to them, the ONLY thing they will check is for life preservers. Just remember that they have to be USCG-approved. We have several types on board - including several of the ski-vest types and they (at least the ones we have) are not approved. ALSO, we have two of the Mustang self inflating vests and he said that they are ONLY approved if they are being worn at the time. IOW, if someone is wearing one when the CG boards, it counts; if they are in a deck box or sitting on a chair or hanging on a peg, they do not count.

 

[JLR]

When heading North from Florida, we were boarded by the Coast Guard departing Charleston harbor. Three coasties boarded in their black boots. Since I was in delivery mode, even though it was my own boat, the Admiral was not on the trip. I thought long and hard about asking them to remove their black boots before boarding as is the usual rule on our boat but thought better of it when I saw the side arms and the mounted machine gun on the bow of their boat. Why annoy them. Been boarded many times. I never mind.

 

[bobk]

When heading North from Florida, we were boarded by the Coast Guard departing Charleston harbor. Three coasties boarded in their black boots. Since I was in delivery mode, even though it was my own boat, the Admiral was not on the trip. I thought long and hard about asking them to remove their black boots before boarding as is the usual rule on our boat but thought better of it when I saw the side arms and the mounted machine gun on the bow of their boat. Why annoy them. Been boarded many times. I never mind.

My experience is they will not remove their boots.

Bobk

 

[MikeP]

I read an internet account by some guy who was totally PO'd/up in arms about a CG boarding wherein they issued citations for multiple issues potentially totaling 40k+ USD in fines.

Turns out that when they requested to board, he had said NO and argued with them about whether they had the right to do so. Since, like it or not, they do have the right and ARE going to board anyway, asking to board is a courtesy. I can't imagine a dumber thing to do than telling them they cannot board. It's like putting a "kick me" sign on your own back. If the CG WANTS to find something to cite, it's impossible for me to believe they won't be able to.

They were a lot nicer than a boater in a 40-something Grand Banks who nearly ran us into a day marker on the approach to the Kent Narrows bridge from the south - narrow channel and he was throwing a big wake in the no-wake zone. I was convinced we were going to hit the marker but pure luck and a bunch of throttle/full right rudder slewed the stern around the piling. Several people at the dock bar adjacent applauded, one guy hollered "Well done!" Of course whether he thought what I did was well done or he was being sarcastic...I have no idea.

 

[rsmith]

I read an internet account by some guy who was totally PO'd/up in arms about a CG boarding wherein they issued citations for multiple issues potentially totaling 40k+ USD in fines.

Turns out that when they requested to board, he had said NO and argued with them about whether they had the right to do so. Since, like it or not, they do have the right and ARE going to board anyway, asking to board is a courtesy. I can't imagine a dumber thing to do than telling them they cannot board. It's like putting a "kick me" sign on your own back. If the CG WANTS to find something to cite, it's impossible for me to believe they won't be able to.

They were a lot nicer than a boater in a 40-something Grand Banks who nearly ran us into a day marker on the approach to the Kent Narrows bridge from the south - narrow channel and he was throwing a big wake in the no-wake zone. I was convinced we were going to hit the marker but pure luck and a bunch of throttle/full right rudder slewed the stern around the piling. Several people at the dock bar adjacent applauded, one guy hollered "Well done!" Of course whether he thought what I did was well done or he was being sarcastic...I have no idea.

So what your saying here is like the Gestapo if you don't submit ,cower beg and scrape to them they will make you pay the price. All because you were minding your own business and doing nothing wrong?

 

[z28jimi]

One thing to keep in mind is that the boys in the boats, the ones frequently accused of Gestapo-like activities, did not make the rules that say they can come aboard whether you want them to or not. They are just doing their job. If we want them to not board us at will, we need to be talking to the collection of nincompoops in DC. And you just KNOW how far that will get you. For me, an occasional inconvenient boarding is a small price to pay for the peace of mind knowing that a Mayday call will bring boats, helicopters, and what have you to the rescue. Yes, I know their rescue record is not spotless, but their record is a durn sight better than any other US agency I'm aware of.

 

[krush]

One thing to keep in mind is that the boys in the boats, the ones frequently accused of Gestapo-like activities, did not make the rules that say they can come aboard whether you want them to or not. They are just doing their job.

Not a valid argument. Unless they are literally rated on how many random boardings they do each day and will be fired, doing their jerrbbbb is a BS rationalization. You know who else was just doing their job, a bunch of gas chamber operators.

 

[captddis]

I will never understand how boarding someones boat who is doing nothing wrong is justified because you may need them.

I am sure the Paramedics will arrive if I call 911 but they do not get to inspect my house at random.


The whole " safety boarding" BS should be abolished. It is a complete waste of resourses.
They should partolling the borders.

 

[tom5518]

I will never understand how boarding someones boat who is doing nothing wrong is justified because you may need them.

I am sure the Paramedics will arrive if I call 911 but they do not get to inspect my house at random.


The whole " safety boarding" BS should be abolished. It is a complete waste of resourses.
They should partolling the borders.

Well put Dave. The whole "just doing their job" thing is a BS rationalization that is pure ignorance. They have way too much power to do whatever they feel like to citizens who are doing nothing but going for a boat ride.

 

[captddis]

Well put Dave. The whole "just doing their job" thing is a BS rationalization that is pure ignorance. They have way too much power to do whatever they feel like to citizens who are doing nothing but going for a boat ride.

I remember as a kid that when you saw that orange stripe, you knew the good guys were here.
They would give you a tow in, a radio check or any help you asked for.
I cut my foot and walked over to the station and they dressed it.
Everyone had a beer next to the helm and no one cared.

Now I fear them because at a minium you are going to be detained and feel like a criminal and they can do whatever they want.

 

[Boatsb]

I consider myself lucky. I'm sitting next to a dozen of the coaster at lunch. I see them quite often and have never had a bad experience even when boarder.


2 minutes to check PFD'S and the head. Show the documentation and their off.

 

[MikeP]

So what your saying here is like the Gestapo if you don't submit ,cower beg and scrape to them they will make you pay the price. All because you were minding your own business and doing nothing wrong?

Hmmm...I'm thinking telling the Gestapo to "F&^% Off" would have had "an unsuccessful outcome."

Telling the USCG that as they pull up alongside would also have an unsuccessful outcome though not quite AS unsuccessful as with the Gestapo.

As they say, "There are two ways the Coast Guard can board your boat, WITH your permission, or WITHOUT your permission."

No, I do not agree with US Title 14 sec 89 that gives them that authority but until it is taken away by lawmakers based on input from their constituents, I see absolutely nothing useful about arguing with the CG personnel. And yes, the chances of that law being repealed is probably pretty close to zero. But writing to a rep is the only thing that MIGHT get it repealed.

 

[jim rosenthal]

Well, they are better than the Post Office, which usually occupies the very bottom rung of government agency competencies.

 

[Boatsb]

Yes they are government employees but usually trained better than most.

FWIW.

They put their lives on the line for us without hesitation. We pay them little above poverty wages. We complain about their doing their job if it inconveniences us yet we allow other government employees to screw us over many times worse and we pay them big bucks plus perks and benefits.*

Next time you want to bitch about the coasties or our military take a minute and think about our over paid self righteous government officials who can't answer basic questions truthfully, won't take responsibility for their actions and screw us over any chance they get.

 

[rsmith]

Hmmm...I'm thinking telling the Gestapo to "F&^% Off" would have had "an unsuccessful outcome."

Telling the USCG that as they pull up alongside would also have an unsuccessful outcome though not quite AS unsuccessful as with the Gestapo.

As they say, "There are two ways the Coast Guard can board your boat, WITH your permission, or WITHOUT your permission."

No, I do not agree with US Title 14 sec 89 that gives them that authority but until it is taken away by lawmakers based on input from their constituents, I see absolutely nothing useful about arguing with the CG personnel. And yes, the chances of that law being repealed is probably pretty close to zero. But writing to a rep is the only thing that MIGHT get it repealed.

Mike that's exactly my point!!! No matter what they should not retaliate with malice. Not saying it isn't going to happen,it's just wrong! Pull up some youtubes on DUI checkpoints, you are only required to open the window partially to communicate with the officer. Yet in some of the videos the officer smashes the window and drags the person out of the car.
Got a bar on the boat Mike? Any of the bottles open? I watched a husband and wife handcuffed and their 3 crying kids hauled off by protective servises all because there were 4 empty beer cans in a bucket on their 18' runabout.
Law enforcement keeps getting more and more out of control.