Anyone have any run-ins with the law?

Greg2230 · Jul 13, 2004

I was replying to a post here when I got to thinking of Coast Guard regs and the local authorities, etc. and I got to wondering...is it common for the CG to inspect boats and find problems like unvented holding tanks? I've been a sailboat owner now for almost a year. Most of my sailing is on the eastern central Florida ICW and near shore day sailing, usually on weekends with the rest of the amateurs. I see the CG, marine patrol and/or the local sheriff patrolling all of the time but if ever pulling a boat over, it’s always a power boater and never a sailboat. Not that my boat is illegal or would fail an inspection (that I am aware of at least), but whenever I'm heading out I feel that I don't need to worry about any spot inspections by the authorities for the only reason that I am on a sailboat. Have they finally realized that ALL sailboat owners are decent, upstanding, law abiding citizens? I’m curious, what are some of the "run-ins" other sailors have had with the law?

blewispunk · Jul 13, 2004

Plenty, but not on my boat

But that's another topic.

p323ms · Jul 13, 2004

Twice

Once on my Laser, My brother had my only life jacket on his boat. As I was sailing out to get the jacket the wildlife guy gave me a ticket. He then followed me all of the way back to the boat ramp. I was so angry that I swam back across the lake to cool off. Funny how he cost me $50 bucks for being on a boat without a PFD but couldn't say a thing about me swimming in the middle of the lake. The second time a wildlife guy wanted to see everything ..permits ,pfds fire extinquisher. He then looked at me in disgust and left. He really had an attitude that I was guilty of something and seemed very disappointed not to write a ticket. Really not too bad a record for over 20 years of sailing.Tom

Jim LeBlanc · Jul 13, 2004

Only once and not really a run in.

A number of years ago I made a mistake with my Catalina 30 and got severly stuck on a new reef which was created by re-dredging of the Houston Ship Channel. A number of boaters tried to get us off, but were unable to do so (we were in about 3 feet of water with a 5.5 foot draft, and the big ships going by kept making things worse). Finally had to call the Coast Guard, who sent a 41 foot cutter up from Galveston. After the CG pulled us off the reef (and told us to be more careful in the future), they did an inspection. Only thing they could find was fire extinguisher which was slightly overcharged. Wrote me up for that (had to find something) and I had it recharged properly. This happened about 20 years ago. Doubt that they would even be allowed to respond today.

Dennis · Jul 13, 2004

What are they profiling now?

What is the CG profiling now like the reg. roadies?

Calif. Ted · Jul 13, 2004

Mostly Fish

There are only a couple deputies on Harbor Patrol

Droopy · Jul 13, 2004

If you keep your registration up to date

you should be ok. They will board your boat if you give them a reason. Powerboat are good at giving them a reason.

T J Furstenau · Jul 13, 2004

Calif. Ted - Stripper?

"As a matter of fact I was landing a Stripper when he pulled up. "I wouldn't think that would be a problem in NV!;D

Calif. Ted · Jul 13, 2004

Striper ?Stripper? Really it was a fish,

legal too! My wife was with me, (actually she outfished me, they always do).I suspect that you folks who must traverse a large inland waterway may be more impacted by local authorities. We hit open ocean within 5 minutes and have more radio contact with Navy (they have an island they are pretty touchy about and use a lot) and CG (Mexican border & nuclear powerplant nearby). Sometimes you'll be hailed by name by a warship you can't see who says he's 4000 yards off your portbeam and you want to ask how he could read the 6 inch letters of your name. Local harbormasters vary for transient boats, they all want your papers, some want to see life preservers, I've never experienced it but I've heard of some having to have safety inspection. Might be an attitude thing, I also "Yes Sir, No sir" the heck out of the authorities on radio or in person, no sense puttin' them in a mood to rain on your parade.

Brad Arrington · Jul 14, 2004

Rarely see 'em

I rarely see the authorities in Port Jefferson. On the busier weekend days (July 4th, Labor Day) I'll see the Harbor Master out and about. Usually he's off chasing the PWC drivers that are jumping the ferry's wake. I expect to see more of him though. The speed limit in the federal channel (and the other side channels) in Port Jefferson was just reduced from 12 MPH to 5 MPH, so I'm expecting to see him out issuing tickets. The speed limit was lowered because of some compliants about wakes; interestingly large commercial craft such as the ferry are exempt from the lower limits so they can maintain steerage. On my friend's power boat he has almost no steerage at 5 MPH is is refusing to comply. Apparently the options on reducing wakes were to either raise or lower the speed. The board arbitrarily lowered the speed even though they knew many boats would have reduced or eliminated steerage. How's that for smart rule-making? Brad

Merrythought · Jul 14, 2004

MD DNR Police

There is a huge effort underway in MD to ensure that the state gets every cent it is owed from boaters so I think we will see more DNR police stopping both powerboaters and sailors. Just a couple of weeks ago, there were two people walking the docks at my marina inspecting all boats for MD stickers. In MD, marina owners have to provide a list of all slip holders and their addresses to DNR upon request so DNR can verify that the boaters have paid the 5% MD excise tax.

mrbill · Jul 14, 2004

So Florida

We see lots of spot inspections during holiday periods. mostly the checks seem to be for legal catches (lobster/fish), then use the pfd / safety check to look for anything improper (dui boaters).The Big change has been in the keys. Marine patrol commonly will board moored boats and check their holding tank valve is directed to the thank, and a seal (zip tie) is attached. they may put dye in your holding tank, or put the dye in the head, then flush... god only knows the penalty if they see the dye under the boat.Lastly, sea grass seems to be a protected species latley. Power boaters cutting the flats and getting stuck on the grass beds have been fined Huge amounts of money.the damaged sea (turtle) grass is measured, then a cost assigned to replant, then a cost for monitoring (3yrs), etc.... (thousands of dollars)btw, I have not heard of sailboats being fined for sea grass destruction.

Fred Ficarra · Jul 14, 2004

Sea grass is the same excuse the

damn Fisheries department uses to deny any work on Puget Sound without the courts being involved. Fisheries says all life in the Sound comes from the sea grass and even floating breakwaters cast a shadow and hurt the food chain. It's really about power. They love it and use it. They need to look under a floating breakwater to see what's attached and see how badly the food chain is doing.

Tom Monroe · Jul 14, 2004

Must be some organizational push ...

In four years of sailing Carlyle Lake, I've seen a police boat twice. Never the Coast Guard. Didn't even know they had a presence. Then weekend before the 4th, two Coast Guard Aux guys were at the marina all day Saturday doing inspections ... and presumably writeups.I have to say it annoyed me a bit. You won't find much in the way of violations in what is basically a keel boat marina. They could have gone across the street to the public launch area and made a hayday with the buzz bombs.Tom MonroeCarlyle Lake

Tim C350 April IV · Jul 14, 2004

Coast Guard Aux

I might be wrong, but the Coast Guard Auxiliary that Tom mentions is a volunteer organization, kind of like the Power Squadron (great name: I'm from the POWER squadron). They provide a lot of boating safety courses around the country, and on holiday weekends, they hang out at the docks, providing courtesy safety inspections.Their "vessel safety checks" are voluntary, conducted by volunteers, helpful, and "failures" do not result in any sort of violation or other citation.The end result is a sticker for your boat, a more knowledgable skipper, and hopefully an opportunity for a safer boating experience.Take a look at the link below for some more info on this program.Tim BroganApril IV C350 #68Seattle

Tom Monroe · Jul 14, 2004

Based on Tim's reply ...

... sounds like a great service!I guess I thought they were official or some such. I ducked them cause the Coast Guard STILL has not sent me my documentation certificate, so right now I'm in some sort of quasi-legal never-never land, with only a letter from my loan company proving I own the boat and have applied for documnetation transfer.Anyway, hats off to anyone who voluntarily donates time to improve safety.(But I still think they'd do that better across the street.)Tom

Rick Webb · Jul 14, 2004

Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel Safety Check Sticker

That free sticker you get for passing a very simple check may keep you from getting stopped by the water cops. Not all the time, but if there is a choice between stopping two boats one has a current sticker the other does not they will often check the one without the sticker as the other boat sought out an inspection (we try not to use that term actually) and passed. If you do not pass you will be given a form that if you take it to most West Marine or Boat US stores you will get a discount for the items that you need to pass. The Auxiliary goes to great lengths to make sure it is a voluntary courtesy check and not at all a law enforcement activity. In fact if a member of the Auxiliary is a member of a law enforcement organization or has any police powers they are not allowed to participate in the VSC (Vessel Safety Check) Program. Watch for the Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron folks doing the checks and don't be shy about asking for yours.http://www.cgaux.org/

Calif. Ted · Jul 14, 2004

The safety checks are required to apply

for a seasonal permit to moor or anchor in San Diego Bay, You must have a permit to moor or anchor in the designated areas and you must apply for the area you want ( or a couple to try to get one). It's been called unfriendly to transient boats and it is extreme if you just want to stop enroute to Mexico.

Al · Jul 17, 2004

the life you save may be your own

I get my 30' Sailboat inspected every year, it saves on the hastle from all the security forces up here on the Canadian border.NY State police,Erie county sheriff, Niagara County sheriff,State Parks police, Border Patrol, Tonawanda Marine police, North Tonawanda Marine Police,USCoast Guard, US Coast Guard Aux., Canadian Coast Guard. Conservation Dept. It just pays to cover your stern with all these people on the waters during these troubled times. Power boaters get stopped more than sail boats 80 mph vs 6mph.

Anyone have any run-ins with the law?

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Jim LeBlanc

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Droopy

T J Furstenau

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Merrythought

mrbill

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Al