Reading Library

[Boss Lady]

After the discussion on another thread about boat collisions, I walked over to my reading shelf and took a look. If you are new to being a Captain of something larger than a bass boat, here are some recommended reference materials. I am sure there are others but this is the short list.

Small Boat Seamanship Manual, International Marine/McGraw Hill
Chapman Piloting and Seamanship, 64th Edition (there maybe a newer one)
Boat Navigation for the rest of us, by Captain Bill Brogdon
Cruising Comfortably on a budget, by Skipper Bob 5th edition
The perfect storm, by Sebastian Junger (LOL)

Of course USCG training courses are always good too. I re-read these regularly, since I am not a professional captain. It is easier to find out now that you don't know something than to find out the hard way.

Anybody else want to add to this list?

Happy and safe Yachting!

 

[Freebird]

Hey Chris,

I've got the Chapman book, but haven't seen the others. Here on the river, the rules of engagement usually break down to the biggest boat usually winning the battle when more than one boat is vying for the same stretch of water. I'd hate to be the poor bastard in a wanna-be-racer bass boat who PT-109's either of my Hatts!

 

[SKYCHENEY]

Those are all better reads that actually reading the CG regs themselves. I keep an updated copy of the regs onboard, but I just can't bear to wade through it. FWIW, the local PowerSquadron says that the CG is getting quite picky about having these onboard. It used to be that a copy of Chapmans was good enough, but not now. You must have the actual CG reg book.(of course they get $11 for it)

 

[Genesis]

The Law of Gross Displacement, if ignored, often results in someone being "dead right"......

That one isn't written down....

 

[Freebird]

I keep an updated copy of the regs onboard, but I just can't bear to wade through it. FWIW, the local PowerSquadron says that the CG is getting quite picky about having these onboard. It used to be that a copy of Chapmans was good enough, but not now. You must have the actual CG reg book.(of course they get $11 for it)

Hey Sky,

Having a CG reg book onboard as being required by law is news to me. Of course, as you all know, I'm primarily a river boater where CG presence is minimal. I hope somebody will speak up and challenge you on this point, I don't have an extra $11!

 

[Boss Lady]

The USCG "Book" is the one they will throw at you if you have a problem, and they will definitely give you a very large helping of "Regs", I don't think these boys ever have sex, they must just stay up all night and read Manuals instead! There have been a ton of changes since 9/11 and I plan on brushing up on them, especially about being boarded. I had a friend who got the felony treatment, bullet proof vests and M16s will ruin your brunch. You need to have a plan and brief any guests on what not to do if approached.

 

[Freebird]

Chris,

I know you are a fellow gun enthusiast such as myself. Are their any new regs addressing possession of "legal" weapons (AR-15, S&W 9mm, Colt 380, my standard "howdy Mr. Pirate" package). Should I hide 'em or am I okay?

 

[yachtsmanbill]

Book IS REQUIRED on all boats over 40 feet. A posted copy of PILOT RULES is also satisfactory. ws

 

[Liquid Asset]

Fortunetly for yall who do not want to pay the $11, the CG Inland/International Rules book is avaliable for download from their website for free. You can print it out and then you have it. But you would proabably spend $11 doing that once you pay for the ink, paper, plus a 3 ring binder to put it in.

 

[Freebird]

Hey Pat,

Thanks for saving me that $11. Feel free to order the appetizer of your choice as a reward when we have dinner in a few days.

 

[Freebird]

I don't think these boys ever have sex, they must just stay up all night and read Manuals instead! .

Maybe we should pack up a bunch of copies of "The Joy of Sex" and send them to Washington. Hell, they even come with pitchers and step by step instructions on doin' it right!

 

[Boss Lady]

Look at this site: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/cpque...zUN&refer=&r_n=hr596.109&item=&sel=TOC_11488&

FIREARMS AND AMMUNITION. Non-residents arriving in U.S. waters with a firearm must apply for permission to enter with the weapon by obtaining an approved ATF Form 6 in advance of arrival. It can take up to 6 weeks for ATF to approve the temporary importation, so masters of vessels are advised to submit their application well in advance. Failure to have an approved ATF Form 6 will result in firearms being detained or seized. CBP will hold the firearms to allow you an opportunity to apply for an ATF Form 6, but you will be liable for storage charges and you will have to make arrangements to personally retrieve the weapon from CBP custody once you receive the approved form from ATF. The application can be downloaded from ATF’s web site at http://www.atf.gov/firearms/feib/index.htm Alternately, you may make arrangements to export the firearm. Failure to either obtain the AFT temporary import approval or export the firearm will result in its seizure and destruction. (Firearms can also be seized and destroyed if a CBP officer determines that failure to declare it on arrival was deliberate – so be sure to declare your weapon and ammunition – even if you don’t have an approved ATF Form 6.)

U.S. Residents traveling with firearms are reminded to register it with CBP on a CF 4457 prior to taking it out of the U.S. You will need to present the firearm in person to a CBP officer in order to register it. When you re-enter the U.S., a signed CF 4457 is proof that you did not acquire the firearm abroad. If you have the original receipt for a firearm purchased in the U.S., this can be used in lieu of a CF 4457 to demonstrate that it is American goods returned.

EMERGENCIES. If it is necessary to make an emergency stop in the United States to preserve life or property, the master must report as soon as possible to the nearest customs, immigration, agriculture, or public health officer. He should not permit any merchandise or baggage to be removed from the boat or any passengers or crew to depart the place of arrival without official permission, unless necessary for the protection of life, health, or property.

STAY ON BOARD! If your boat has anchored or tied up, you are considered to have entered the United States. No one shall board or leave the boat without first completing customs processing, unless permission to do so is granted by the Customs officer in charge. The only exception to this requirement is to report arrival.

If it is necessary for someone to leave the boat to report arrival to U.S. Customs, he or she must return to the boat after reporting and remain on board. No one who arrived on that boat may leave until the Customs officer grants permission to go ashore. Violations may result in substantial penalties and forfeiture of the boat.

 

[Boss Lady]

If you go outside the territorial waters of the U.S. and return you had better have a receipt or the form, (I would opt for the form, been there, done that) or else your prized anti-pirate boarding weapon is in jeopardy of being siezed. Ignorance of the law is no excuse. Some of these boys will write their own mother a ticket. Just remember the law doesn't have to be right or make sense, it is just the law, so learn to live with it.

The purpose of this thread is to share/recommend easier to read civilian books, so that the government mumbo jumbo will make sense when you have to read it.

 

[Liquid Asset]

Randy,

If we print a bunch of copies of "the joy of sex" we will spend more of your money than the $11 I saved you to print that manual!

 

[Freebird]

Yeah, but if we can get those boys to think about something other than rules and regulations, we'll all come out ahead in the long run!

 

[Pascal]

it's my understanding that upon boarding you must advise the boarding party about any firearms on your boat. Hiding them, or anything else, isn't a very bright idea.

Personally, i fell nothing nothing but respect for CG crews... even though their mission has changed and is increasingly geared toward law enforcement and security.

This may be stretching it but i keep the nav rule PFD on my notebook which is always on... i dont' think the rules state that the navrule must be in print form...

 

[eze2bme]

I downloaded the CG Regs onto a CD ... no cost to print it out ... just pop it into the laptop if needed.

 

[Freebird]

I downloaded the CG Regs onto a CD ... no cost to print it out ... just pop it into the laptop if needed.

Can you whip out your laptop and show it to them when they board your boat? Seriously, will they accept that?

 

[Liquid Asset]

Randy,

I dont konw if they would be happy about it, but I think it would qualify. The issue I see whith that is, what if you just go over to the boat to move it from to a repair facility and you dont bring your laptop. You coudl at that time be boarded and be checked for things.

I believe that you would be fine with it in electronic form, but if the officers are so inlcined to write you a ticket because it annoyed them, then they will find something else to write you a violation for. I am friends or know all but one or two State wildlife officers in our county. They are nice people, but if you piss them off, they would write their grandma a ticket.

 

[Freebird]

Personally, i fell nothing nothing but respect for CG crews... even though their mission has changed and is increasingly geared toward law enforcement and security.

I don't think anyone who participated in this thread has anything but respect for the Coast Guard or any member of our armed forces for that matter. They do a fine job of serving and protecting this great country. Granted they have serious work to do, but some of them just don't have a sense of humor or much of a personality for that matter. I personally view this as an unfortunate fault in anyone with those problems. Life is a lot more interesting, and rewarding, when not taken too seriously.