Coast Guard Inspections

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Some interesting facts

From their web site, on average, every day the USCG:Saves 14 lives Assists 123 people in distress Interdicts 22 illegal migrants at sea Responds to 12 oil/hazardous chemical spills Inspects 25 waterfront facilities Conducts 78search and rescue cases Seizes $8.4 million worth of illegal drugs Administers 21 commercial vessel examinations.As Fred in B.C. says "The new Coast Guard is there to arrest people and take part in the fear campaign the US government uses to keep us stupid about asking hard questions." I'm not sure we're that dumb Fred...

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

John....

Its not your imagination. Tony B

 

[Scott]

Fred ,,,

Why don't you spare us the whiney bull shit. I appreciate the comments made by Don and others who "wave the flag" .

 

[Ross]

I often see USCG and MD DNR patrols on the water

while we are out and I just wave as I do when passing any other vessel. Only once have they come alongside and even then they did not make contact, just hung off my starboard side and chatted for a few minutes. The entire exchange was polite. They were not agressive and I was willing to answer their questions without offering any BS. Then they went on their way and left us alone.

 

[RichH]

Scott is correct ....

By the US Code the CG does not need probable cause to stop and search a vessel. I believe that this issue was long ago handed down by the US Supreme Court as the (then) prime function of the coast guard was to interdict smuggling and other US Customs/Revenue violations, etc. Since the infamous "patriot act" police also do not need 'probable cause' to stop and search, etc. in ANY venue other than ones home/house ... which still requires a court issued warrant. Unreasonable search nowadays ONLY applies to your HOUSE/HOME.

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

When it comes to...

When it comes to individual freedom, I too am an extremist. I think Mexicans, AlQuida, Hamas, and Hesbollah also have a right to be in this country. If they come here illegally, we would never know because law enforcement should not be allowed to ask them for proof without infringing on their rights. I also believe that drug dealers carry lots of cash and lots of illegal drugs on them and they should also be able to carry weapons to protect their investment and also to defend themselves from the police who have nothing better to do than to try to remove them from their individul freedoms. IMFO Tony B

 

[Fred]

"Whiney Bullshit" is another

name for a critical attitude about government intervention in our lives. If we just wave the flag and tell the boys with guns to do whatever they think is right, we will have even more of a police state than we have now. I say we because I am a US citizen as well as a Canadian, and I vote and do business in the States.Phil, perhaps this thread should be in the political rants forum. The original question was answered. When a thread gets political, I will respond. I don't start the politics, and I would prefer to keep politics on the threads where the rest of us can choose to hear it or not.

 

[Scott]

You are still whining, Fred ...

You were the one that started the political slant with your first posting (I wouldn't say that Don's and other's praise of the Coast Guard were political statements). Now you are whining to Phil to have the thread moved after you make your next political statement. So far, you are the only one making political statements and you are still being whiny!

 

[Fred]

I would say praise of the CG is

indeed a political statement. It seems that if someone agrees with your politial position, that's not politics, but if I disagree, that's politics. You are taking logic lessons from George Bush.Yes I am baiting you.

 

[Hugh4753]

To Some Here

I would remember Shakespeare's words "asses are made to bear, and so are you"!

 

[Scott]

From what I have said in this thread ...

How would you even know which politics I support? Fred, you are illogical. And your bait is pathetic. Let's praise the IRS or the Post Office. How would that be political?Why don't you just say that you think that the Coast Guard is filled with gun-toting goons? That would get your message across without being political.Fred, you already admitted that your statements were political. Let's let Don respond to whether or not his were.

 

[Tug]

Been that way for over 200 years

The CG (and it's predecessor service the Revenue Cutter Service) have had the authority to stop any vessel in US waters and any US vessel anywhere in the world since 1790. The Patriot Act did not give the CG any more power than they already had. As far as your rights if you live aboard, the CG as a matter of policy (I believe) will not board your vessel if you are moored at a dock or in a mooring field. They will board you if you are simply anchored in an anchorage. This is the same as if you are living in an RV. If you are traveling the highway or parked in a rest stop the rules are different than if you are parked in a campground. In one case you are on the road or underway on a voyage, in the other you are not in operation and so the rules are different. The same as the police can't search your car in your driveway at home.

 

[Persy]

Scott, please stop the whining.....

if we're going to get technical here, you're whining about Fred valid criticism of CG actions, so enough with the name calling....if you want to support the CG in their boardings, go for it, but you don't have to be critical of individuals who don't agree with you (unless you have no valid arguments of course)Criticism of CG actions are whiny and political, but praise for them is OK? sounds to me like you just don't want to hear anyone's opinion different from your own....cheers!

 

[Scott]

If you read thru the thread, Guy ...

You will find numerous responses with a whole range of opinions about whether or not Coast Guard boardings are fair or not. I did pick on the ONE responder who decided to make this into an ugly statement of politics. BTW, I can't tell from Fred's post how he actually feels about the Coast Guard boarding our boats, he never did quite get to that .You are right that it is tiresome to hear repeated responses. I don't intend to be the policy policeman.

 

[bababouy]

Wow

I realy can't beleve some of these responses. IE; Alquda should have rights here, drug runners should kill cops to protect there investments. Goverment iis doing this to harrass us....blah blah blah... What the f..k are some of you people thinking. Have we forgoten about 911? Perhaps the 911 attacks were not big enough to awken some people. There will be alot more to come in the future, yes right here,in our country. WE should be supporting the coast guard and aplaude them for there good work. THE COUNTRY IS AT WAR. REMEMBER? Listen if your not doing anything ilegal what is the big deal. Lets do our part and cooperate it's for our own security. Fair winds to all.Bababouy

 

[Persy]

bothering family on ski boat = no more 9/11s ?

What happened on 9/11 has absolutely nothing at all to do with CG stopping a family ski boat to do a safety inspection...nothing, nada, zero.....The only reason CG does these inspections is to insure compliance with laws designed generally to protect people from their own ineptitude (life jackets, flares, oil spill placard, trash disposal placard, written trash disposal plan, etc..etcit is not different that stopping busy people on the way to work to see if they're wearing safety belts and that all of their lights work.leave 9/11 out of this, it is not the question at all

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

I have too much free time

Let's sum up and review:1. this has nothing to do with anyone's political viewpoint (about which most of us couldn't care less);2. the CG has absolute right to board any vessel operating in U.S. waters;3. whether you agree with #2 or not is irrelevant (any further discussion of this IS political);4. they might someday save your life; and5. re-read #4 if you have any complaints.

 

[LJK]

what do I do.......

I say "permission to come aboard"I know without question that I have everything CG ready. From PFD's to a head locked to tank position to signs that talk about disposing of trash.If there is something I have missed, I want to know about it. over the past 20 years I have been boarded 4 times and all but one were 15 minute stops and got to meet some great professionals.The only time that there was a problem was 15 miles south of the Dry Tortugas when we were boarded (not a safety inspection) and search in rough seas. The chase boat off the cruiser (with really big guns) ended up damaging the stern of the charter boat we were on. Florida Yacht Charter's knew who the captain was and would contact him direct. This search took about an hour and then another 20 minutes to fill out the accident report.God bless these guys..... you are welcome on my boat any day!

 

[sailortonyb Allied Mis]

bababuoy

AlQuida, drug runners etc.....I was being facetious.Calm down, I was making a sarcastic joke. look at my previous posts. Tony B

 

[Bill Roosa]

Fred, others as the shoe fits

The USCG needs the right to board as they do the customs thing and are a CRITICAL part of keeping America safe from a rather large group of crafty individuals and groups that are trying to do us harm. I have found that if my kids are wearing their PFD and I'm not doing anything stupid they zoom right by to inspect that beer toting ski boat doing donuts around everybody. I'm glad they are out there and welcome their inspections. The 2 that I have had where, IMHO, because I was the only boat out in a 20 knot wind that day and they where concerned that I might be in over my head. Hard to get mad at them for that!As for the all the "tell the boys with guns to do whatever they think is right" crud, I know for a fact that there is not one single soldier, sailor, airman or marine stationed in a distant land that wants to be there. They would like to be home with their families just like everybody else. Home in America where they can enjoy the freedoms they have provided for us. So unless you are willing to put your rear end in the sand with them I suggest you put the mouse down and step away from the computer and just enjoy the ride. Freedom ain't free but there are freeloaders.