Not to stir the pot....but I have a couple questions/comments on this
1. Why would you leave West End with only a single engine for an overnight passage? West End to Lauderdale is about 70 nautical miles and we have over 13 hours of daylight right now. With a speed of 5 knots over ground that trip is about 14 hours add another hour or 2 with gulfstream. Palm Beach is only 55 miles.
2. Why would you leave for an overnight passage with radar that is blind to the stern? Many container ships with a cruise speed much greater than 5 knots are out in that very busy area. I think you should purchase a new radar.
3. I think you should purchase a new radar if you did not see a very large contact less than 2 miles dead ahead of you. 300 yards=.14nautical/.17statute(approx) @ 5 knots the 300 yards would be closed in under 2 minutes, had it been a containership (most have dark or black hulls) you would be thanking that same cutter for pulling your @$$ out of the water.
4. There was no "kid" sent to sick bay (should read American Soldier) from your Q-beam(s). "Infra red" is a thermal imaging device used to detect temperature differential. Your Q-beam(s) will just read a different color on the scope.
5. "I tracked a few targets on either side of my bow but had this strange feeling something trailed me which at 5 knots means you will see them"
*I have no idea what you are talking about and are unable to comment
6.whaler23
Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 211
"How would you know what it is without lighting it up? The CG knows that
if it's gonna run around stalking boats without lights it's gonna occasionally get blasted with someone elses... Irresponsible, I don't think so."
*If at 300 yards you can see it...you can tell it is a cutter and you should be steering clear. If you cannot...you should not be boating after midinight in the gulfstream. If your radar is not telling you something is less than 2 miles dead ahead, I think it is time for a new radar.
7. garyd
Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 405
If anyone was acting iressponsibly it was the Coast Guard. With the equipment they must of had on board they knew exactly what they were dealing with. In my opinion they were acting in a threatening manner. They were lucky they didn't provoke Freestyle into protecting his family if they were on board.
*I am not even going to touch this one
8. Genesis
PoohBah Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 3,799
"Running blacked out is illegal as hell no matter who you are. Yes, including the USCG."
*you are very wrong
"BTW, it used to be both fairly common (and legal) for private citizens and corporations to keep cannons."
*yes and all ships had sails
9. #9 Yesterday, 11:50 AM
garyd
Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 405
"The captain of the CG cutter could of done this:
Slide up beside freestyle from behind with a bull horn and said captain this is the USCG ship stealth we want to maintain radio silence and run silent and dark. We will follow you close behind for awhile. Close enough so our radar image and yours blends and looks like one.
If you are going to maintain this present course and speed flash for nav lights twice. Thanks Captain enjoy your evening USCG cutter Stealth out."
*what movie did you think you were watching?
10. #10 Yesterday, 12:12 PM
Tawney1
Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 87
"I have never cruised at night"
*exactly
11. #13 Yesterday, 04:34 PM
neosin
Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 102
I would of hit it just to take a quick look with the light, notice USCG, and with no vhf contact to "motor vessel" i would of acted like i didn't see them and shutup, changed course and moved on.
*also exactly
12. #15 Yesterday, 05:30 PM
StratPlan61
Senior Member Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 292
"IF what you observed was indeed a USCG/USNAVY vessel, it was clearly operating in an illegal manner and an unsafe manner. I would have hailed the vessel twice via VHF and hearing no response would have also lit him up with wahtever lights I could use. In addition, I would file a formal complaint with the USCG Captain of the Port for that maritime security area.
Professional military leaders do not operate their vessels, aircraft or other surveillence assets in this manner - and if found to be doing so need to be called via formal complaint for such practice.
Way too many LE personnel already believe they can operate above the law - it's BS and must be vigorously pursued by the 'silent majority'!!"
*another one not worth commenting on
). While at first you may think they are playing cat/mouse games in the end they are looking out for our safety. I see nothing wrong with turning on your lights, as it is doubtful they are looking at you with standard night vision. I would call on 16 to the USCG and state what you have and where. Do not be surprised if they step on your transmission to protect their location though. Make no doubt about it they are not going to let you hit them. They are trying to see how you react. Do not forget the smugglers know the USCG is doing this. Also, they do not have some top secret vision that sees in your boat, the USCG is way underfunded for cool stuff like that. If you decide to be "Billy bad az" you will end up having a really bad night. They are doing their jobs and are very professional. It is in your best interest to do the same 
......
