Reading Library

[nor'easter]

Freebird,
In general I agree with your comments about sense of humor, etc. I would not be at all critical of those in uniform with CG, CBP, or here in San Diego of Naval Security Forces for a lack of sense of humor. They don't know anything about a boat/owner or it's intentions until they board. They don't know for sure that you got too close to the SSN or CVN intentionally or by honest mistake.
A small local fishing boat, perhaps if taken more seriously, would not have killed some of our finest and holed the USS Cole.
Probably can't tell, but I have a good sense of humor and am known for my sarcasm.....but I am also an officer in the Navy (doc) and have taken care of the finest sailors and marines here and abroad.

 

[SKYCHENEY]

And don't forget to have your written solid waste plan ready too if you get boarded.

 

[Freebird]

nor'easter,

I have nothing but respect for members of our armed forces. Please include yourself in this show of respect. I'm not a veteran, but I was an Air Force brat. I fully understand the seriousness of the world we live in today where there is a constant threat from those who do not respect our values or our way of life. Given that, I am sure there is little room for joking around when you may be in the sights of some religious nutcase who feels it is his sacred duty to end your life. What some people do in the name of religion simply boggles the mind. Thank you for your service to this great country, and thank you for your reply.

Sincerely,

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

I Got Boarded Coming Around From Ft Lauderdale , I Just Got My Boat This Spring And We Were Coming Around Florida To Naples (home Port) In Goverment Cut In Miami The Home Land Security Guys Stopped Me And Came Abourd. They Were Perty Nice And They Asked Me First If I Had Any Weapons On Board And I Told Them Down Below In The Master Strm , One Just Stood In The Stair Well Down So No One Could Go Down, Luckly I Had Most Everything They Asked For . My Father In Law Was Trashed And My Mother In Law Was Holding The Bible I Guess She Was Scared Being From Cuba She's Not Used To Police Being Nice.

 

[Freebird]

My Father In Law Was Trashed And My Mother In Law Was Holding The Bible I Guess She Was Scared Being From Cuba She's Not Used To Police Being Nice.

Carl (LOL),

Loved that part about your mother-in-law holding a Bible! THAT should be required on the list of reading material onboard. No God-Fearin' coastie would ever be anything but polite to a Bible totin' boater. I'll be sure to put one of mine on board for such an occasion!

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

Randy,

Here is a link to the USCG site that makes the "Rules" available. Seems they were referred to at one time as "Rules of the Road". Now they are calling it (them) Navigation Rules. Our best known local marine retail supplier offers a book titled "Nav Rules Plus". Asserts having all the "Rules".

If all the aforegoing posts arn't enough to get your head swiming, you got a (somewhat) different set of rules up there on the ole Tennessee (Western Rivers), but, as it has been made clear to me, these Rules do not apply to east coast rivers! The good news is that on the "Western Rivers" (which the Tennessee is a part of because it flows directly into the MS) power vessels have one up on vessels under sail as they are the "stand-on" when running down stream (Rule #2 the - "Responsibility Rule" - withstanding)!

Enough.

Capt'n Bill

http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/mwv/navrules/navrules.htm

 

[Freebird]

Hey Capt'n Bill,

Thanks for the link reference. I'll be sure to check it out before I head to FL to bring FREEBIRD home.

Yeah, things are different here on "The River". Kinda like it that way too. Everybody waves when they pass, and little boats generally give way to big ones. Some of those bass molesters like to sit in the middle of narrow channels and demonstrate their sign language skills if you pass them at anything above an idle.

To that end, I've signed up for triple the amount of liability on FREEBIRD that I carry on NANCY CAY (wake is 3 times bigger). I may find myself a little less than cordial to one of these guys one day, and convert his bassboat into a tree-stand!

 

[Boss Lady]

I am retired U.S. Army, I spent 14 years with U.S. Army Special Forces, traveled the world working with our allies and spent a lot of time in combat zones from El Salvador, Colombia, to the 1st Gulf War. I have the utmost respect for all our protectors. I have attended enough memorial services here at Fort Bragg to fully appreciate the sacrifices they make. I know they have a challenging job, and some organizations have been given new responsibilities, and they are learning how to deal with them. I have not been boarded by the Coast Guard in a long time, they have always been courteous and professional in the past. I hope this continues even though they are receiving more aggressive training and employing new tactics. Some of this comes from the training that they receive in light of the new threats our nation faces, but their leadership needs to keep a tight rein on this so that it does not get out of hand. Give any 18 year old a badge and gun and see what happens if left unchecked. The Coast Guard is to be commended for the risks they take to save boaters who sometimes make bad choices and perform security duties to ensure our boarders are protected. Nothing will be the same after 9/11 but I hope we keep a happy balance on the water, so that we can continue to enjoy boating. A lot of this depends on our own actions on the water.

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

I NEVER TRIED TO ATTACH A PICTURE HOPE IT WORKS OUT ....
THIS IT THE GUYS YOU MAY RUN IN TO IN THE DRY TORTUGAS THEY EXPANDED THERE PROTECTED AREA TO THE NORTH AND WEST BUT DIDN'T MOVE THE OLD YELLOW BUOYS THATS THE GOVERNMENT FOR YOU THIS PICTURE COST ME $ 150.00 BUT THEY SURE ARE DOING THERE JOB THAT WAS MY SECOND BOARDING COMING HOME THE HOMELAND SECURITY GUYS IN GOV. CUT WHERE NICER...THE NOAA GUYS NEED TO ADD NEW YELLOW BUOYS TO THE LARGER PROTECTED AREA ..FUNNY PART IS I WAS FISHING ON SOME SPOTS MY MARINE PATROL BUDDY GAVE ME.

 

[Boss Lady]

I was stopped three times on the same day in the ICW coming from Wilmington to Jacksonville, NC with four adults and three kids on board during the day on a Saturday. I didn't know I was so sexy looking, that must have been why they kept stopping me. We did not have any alcoholic beverages on the boat, and no fishing poles. We had all required safety equipment and the boat is a documented vessel. I do not understand why the different law enforcement units cannot talk to each other. I get stopped everytime I go out in my Fountain fishing boat. I guess there are plenty of Al Queda posing as white anglo saxons in expensive boats.

 

[Liquid Asset]

Now I have to tell yall, I have been stoped by a lot of officers and CG. BUT, I would not be happy if I got stopped every time I went out in the boat. That would make it a very un pleaseing time if I were to know that I am going to go out fishing, but I better leave an extra hour every time so that the officer can stop me and search ever darn hatch.

 

[CARL GUZMAN]

I THINK FLORIDA PEOPLE ARE MORE USED TO IT THAN OTHERS .. BUT I KNOW WE NEED IT IN THE LONG RUN IT IS SECURITY, I WAS JUST TRYING TO BRING UP SOME CHANGES IN PROTECTED WATERS , NO MATER WHAT YOU SEE OUT THERE ALWAYS CHECK YOUR GPS IF SOME PROTECTED AREA HAS EXPANDED IT WILL BE ON THE NEW CHART CARDS . I DID SEE A SPOTED YELLOW LINE ON MY GPS BUT THOUGHT NOTHING OF IT DON'T MAKE THE SAME MISSTAKE, EVEN IF YOUR VISUAL TELLS YOU DIFFERENT . IN MY CASE I SAW SOME YELLOW BUOYS AND I WAS OUT SIDE AND I THOUGHT I WAS OK BUT, DID'NT GIVE MY GPS AS MUCH CONSIDERATION GUESS I'M OLD FASHION

 

[(Nobody You Know)]

The only time was boarded (gawd must have an innocent face) the "coastie" advised upon leaving, that had I a current U.S.C.G. inspection sticker my chances of being stopped would have been reduced. Interesting.

HOWEVER, let me say this, in light of current events, and the ever increasing boater population and the problems it entails (see Stupid Stupid Stupid), I have this to say to all authorities: COME ON ABOARD! Check us out, do your duty! And check out as many other boats on the water as you can today because I want to boat in a safe environment free from drunks, dangerously ill equiped boats, and perhaps terrorist who want to do more than just ruin my day.

Safe boating to all.

Capt'n Bill

 

[Boss Lady]

I just bought a new video camera so I can film them everytime they stop me, I have been nothing but polite and cordial to them everytime they stop me. But I think it is time I go have a talk with some of their bosses. I still do work for uncle sam, and with the people who scrutinize everything about me on a regular basis, I don't need some friggin Barney Fife hassleing me on my time off. I just had "The U.S. Marshall" in my office today, the man himself, I think I will ask him to make a few phone calls down to the DHS boys and post pictures of my boat on their clip boards so they will know I am on the same side, before I lose my temper.