Aggressive retaliation???

[Don Bodemann]

Black powder??

Gary,I, like Andy, have hunted with Black powder for many years. Forgive me for saying so, but I don't understand your attitude towards Black powder? If it’s ok in my home, ok in my shop, ok to carry on my person, …why can’t I carry it on my boat where I also carry passengers? Yes, it can be dangerous when not respected, but as I mentioned so can gasoline as well as many other materials we use in our day-to-day lives. How about the explosive fumes from our batteries? I believe flammable evaporative fluids like gasoline are far more dangerous because of the nature of explosive fumes and how they can migrate to an unknown location. How many sailboats have bilge blowers? Some maybe, but certainly not all. If a small quantity of black powder is kept in a sealed container, where is the unacceptable danger? Just because you have no desire to carry B powder on your boat does not make it wrong or an unacceptable danger.I will concede, the galley is probably not the best place to store it though.

 

[Don Bodemann]

Justin, a good lawyer could ...

argue the case either way. Talk about wanton and willful disregard for the safety and well being of the children swimming near by. Then throw in some terrorist type words and a little lawyer mumbo jumbo and you're halfway there!

 

[Cole]

J cheribini knows

In the dredge harbor in Burlington NJ, just try to transit the area with any thing more than 6 knots and Jerry Donofrio will video tape you and press charges. I have seen him do it. Some small facts have eluded and been diluted. PWC's generally wheigh about 250 LBS and in order to ram someone with it you must do it kamakasi style( is that how you spell that) if your idea of life threatening fear is watching some ******* on a jetski try to kill himself by ramming you. Then you have other issues that need to be addressed by a professional. The capt will most likely be tried in maritime court in front of a master, so your silly Maine laws will pale in comparison. About the black powder, doing a navel cannon salute? try that with caps. the black powder really scares the crap out of the tourists. and dont forget the smell or the tradition. As americans, we have been doing dumb crap for 200 years and for what reason?????Hell we alway did it that way, in the USCG. I really miss my old CG dayscole

 

[Cole]

Jet skis dont splash people, People splash people,

I slay myself somtimes

 

[Bill Coxe]

Oh, those jetskis!

Two years ago, off Stonington Point, CT, I had the opportunity to watch two of the aforementioned craft, sorry, the drivers of the aforementioned craft, playing chicken. I thought about contacting the Coast Guard, but realized that there was every opportunity for these two yahoos to remove themselves from the gene pool without my help. Alas, sometimes wishes don't come true. I did wonder how long it might take me to sail to the point of impact. On the other hand, while in Michigan last summer, I had the opportunity to watch many PWCs transit the river to the big lake and there were NO shenanigans. Go figure. I feel the pain and the frustration of the good captain, and the video camera is a fine idea. Especially if you're transiting out the next morning. After the New London Sailfest this past summer, we were in the company of some of the tall ships and I KNOW there was cannon fire. Wonder what they were using? No casualties, just fun.Bill C., O-22 Closure, O-28 Aroundtuit

 

[Gary Jensen]

Black powder/passengers

Don, I'm really suprised that you hunt with black powder and have missed the concept of having it on a boat..(especially with passengers). In your first post you say that I did not know the difference between between it and gun powder Your incorect asumption was cleared up in my next post as I further explained the call/fire incident. As far as me having an attitude toward toward black powder you again are off the mark. I have nothing against its use, just that it is used properly. I just don't see its value on a boat...ESPECIALLY with people for hire. I have worked fires where I have seen what the stuff will do. I hope you don't think I'm further coping an attitude,but in the event you had a fire on a boat and you had firefighters enter the boat while the stuff ignited, we wouldn't stand a chance....Anyhow we are getting off track. Flatly, I agree with the Coast Guard...

 

[Tom]

Ok Gary ...you agree with the coast guard

But you don't see ANYTHING wrong with the behavior of the jetskier !!!Now that is what is driving me nuts...lest we forget....this whole incident was started by a jet skier whose whole purpose and intent was to harrass the sailboat and the people on it. I beleive one of the rights we have as an American is to be left alone if we are not harming anyone else.....and I ESPECIALLY expect that right when I am out sailing.Its funny you don't mention a thing about the jetskier?PS...And in this Coast Guard Case I believe the illegal activity was NOT about Black Powder and having it on board. (I don't believe there is a law that says you cannot have that on board). The illegal act was that he pulled and threatened with a pistol (albeit an antique and/or starter pistol)

 

[Tom]

The operator of a Personal Watercraft should

operate in a reasonable and prudent manner. This includes being aware of other boats in the operating area, awareness of environmental concerns and respecting the rights of shoreline property owners. The PWC operator should not follow other boats closely and should not jump the wake of other boats.Speed Limits and Reckless Operation:No vessel shall be operated within Maine in a reckless or negligent manner. Examples of reckless or careless operation include:Excessive speed in regulated or congested areas Operating in a manner that may cause an accident Operating in a swimming area with bathers present Bow riding or riding on the gunwale or transom where no seating is provided Operation of a personal watercraft which endangers life or property When operating within water safety zones (200 feet of any shoreline), around marinas, approved anchorages, swimmers, rafts, shore, docks, or mooring fields, you must maintain only headwayspeed. (That speed at which you can maintain steerage and control of the watercraft.)

 

[Rick Webb]

Thanks Phil

You know if you had been in Maine in between these two this whole thing may have never happened.