Viewpoint: Boarded and Belittled
By Paul Calder
http://www.sailmagazine.com/columns/viewpoint-boarded-and-belittled
By Paul Calder
http://www.sailmagazine.com/columns/viewpoint-boarded-and-belittled
Boat Inspection / Boarding laws
- Thread starter FourPoints
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I always try to welcome a boarding as a learning opportunity. In Ohio, the DNR officers would do "safety inspections" and would approach and ask if you'd had one in the past year. Most couldn't even identify the make model or length of the sailboat and I would offer to hold one end of the measuring tape, ect if they wanted to get the actual dimensions. I'd play along in a very friendly manner, thanking them keeping the water "safe". They never realized how sarcastic I was being deep down and soon realized I was harmless and they'd be off to inspect another boat. I loved wasting their time asking pointless questions about safety regs and playing extra friendly with them.
I'd keep a copy of their inspection form and wave it at the next DNR guy who would come along...sometimes just hours later on the very same lake. Taking an attitude only makes them put on their bad cop hat. My approach got rid of them much quicker which is always my goal.
I'd keep a copy of their inspection form and wave it at the next DNR guy who would come along...sometimes just hours later on the very same lake. Taking an attitude only makes them put on their bad cop hat. My approach got rid of them much quicker which is always my goal.
With the exception of US Coast Guard, Border and Customs officers, US treasury officers, state of Florida Marine police (only) during 'potty stops' ... here's the legally correct way to handle such in a boat, in a car, etc.:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVx0NpYbtus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDJrQBwJpqk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sVx0NpYbtus
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDJrQBwJpqk
we were boarded one evening off Dana Point, out there for spin practice, obviously sailing and trying stuff.......... we were only one of maybe 3 boats that we could even see..... all spread quite a bit apart. ...except a pesky little motor boat.
We saw the mother ship off about 5+ miles out.....and in a small fast CG boat about 6 guys seemed to want to approach us......... so we stopped what we were doing (as well as we could stop
) and they asked for permission to come aboard. Turned out they were doing some training and the fellow coming aboard was joined by his trainer. It was all pretty interesting and not a bad experience at all..... they did bring onboard their big black shoes! They asked about weapons (and we did not give a smart response back , we were respectful and even a little chatty with them at the end.) Mostly they were impressed with how well equipped we were in all the safety stuff. It was a good experience except the completely ruined our practice so we did none. After they left us, we noticed they went over to the little power boat and they spent a lot of time over there!! That did not seem to be going well at all.
So, I think a lot of the time they are just practicing their procedures where they can do it without a lot of drama and a nice load of sailors doing spin practice probably looked pretty easy.
We saw the mother ship off about 5+ miles out.....and in a small fast CG boat about 6 guys seemed to want to approach us......... so we stopped what we were doing (as well as we could stop
) and they asked for permission to come aboard. Turned out they were doing some training and the fellow coming aboard was joined by his trainer. It was all pretty interesting and not a bad experience at all..... they did bring onboard their big black shoes! They asked about weapons (and we did not give a smart response back , we were respectful and even a little chatty with them at the end.) Mostly they were impressed with how well equipped we were in all the safety stuff. It was a good experience except the completely ruined our practice so we did none. After they left us, we noticed they went over to the little power boat and they spent a lot of time over there!! That did not seem to be going well at all. So, I think a lot of the time they are just practicing their procedures where they can do it without a lot of drama and a nice load of sailors doing spin practice probably looked pretty easy.
Hey,
About 5 years ago my family and I were sailing from Mt. Sinai NY to Milford CT. I distance of about 18 nm (usually about 3-4 hours). About half way there I go below to make lunch for everyone. I'm down there about 10 minutes when my wife, who was on watch, calls me on deck. There is small CG boat holding station about 100 yards away. I look at the VHF, and to my embarrassment, which was on 17 (must have gotten changed accidentally). I switch to 16 and hail them. They ask a bunch of questions about who is in board, where we're going, documentation number, etc. I guess they were satisfied with the our answers because they wish us well and then leave.
About 30 minutes later I hear them hail a small powerboat. They ask similar questions, but must not have liked the answers because I hear them say 'prepare to be boarded'. I think 'oh boy, what has the power boat done?' After a few minutes I see the CG boat leave. Then the power boat gets on the VHF and hails the CG Boat. The CG says something like 'we're done captain, have a nice day' and then the powerboat tells them they left a backpack on board his boat and to please come back and get it.
I bet the CG crew wasn't too happy about that!
Barry
About 5 years ago my family and I were sailing from Mt. Sinai NY to Milford CT. I distance of about 18 nm (usually about 3-4 hours). About half way there I go below to make lunch for everyone. I'm down there about 10 minutes when my wife, who was on watch, calls me on deck. There is small CG boat holding station about 100 yards away. I look at the VHF, and to my embarrassment, which was on 17 (must have gotten changed accidentally). I switch to 16 and hail them. They ask a bunch of questions about who is in board, where we're going, documentation number, etc. I guess they were satisfied with the our answers because they wish us well and then leave.
About 30 minutes later I hear them hail a small powerboat. They ask similar questions, but must not have liked the answers because I hear them say 'prepare to be boarded'. I think 'oh boy, what has the power boat done?' After a few minutes I see the CG boat leave. Then the power boat gets on the VHF and hails the CG Boat. The CG says something like 'we're done captain, have a nice day' and then the powerboat tells them they left a backpack on board his boat and to please come back and get it.
I bet the CG crew wasn't too happy about that!
Barry
My last boarding was very similar to LuzSD's, only the cutter was anchored just outside the entrance to Dana Point Harbor. We were the only boat returning at sunset, as we approached we saw them manning the small boat and starting towards us. After showing them my papers and ID however they didn't even board, in fact they had me continue towards my slip while we held up required equipment for the safety check.
If my ID at the time had not included a large silver badge things may have been different.
If my ID at the time had not included a large silver badge things may have been different.
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