I was motoring into the cove today at Ft. Mc Rae, Pensacola. Just south of the Naval Air Station. Anyways one of the FWC officers pulled up to my port side and yelled "Pull your legs up, you can't do that". My sister and fiance were both sitting on the edge of the boat by the bow pulpit with their hands on the lifelines and their legs hanging off the side of the boat. UUmmmm yeah, all racers do this during races. Did he say this because they were so far foward and under power? I'm at a loss. Please respond with any questions, comments, or concerns. Tony
Legal Legs
- Thread starter Traumaguard
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Timing
Things which would not raise an eyebrow on a usual weekend will draw scrutiny as a Holiday weekend approaches. The Gendarme of all description will be focused on the letter of the law. A lot of it has to do with appearance. (Their bosses may be observing).
Things which would not raise an eyebrow on a usual weekend will draw scrutiny as a Holiday weekend approaches. The Gendarme of all description will be focused on the letter of the law. A lot of it has to do with appearance. (Their bosses may be observing).
Possibly...
a function of motoring and their position on the bow. Most areas have prohibitions re: "bow riding", especially on power boats, but also on any vessel under power. In Texas, the power boat would have to have "seating" forward that did not allow body parts to extend outside the hull to be legal. On sailing vessels, I've seldom seen it enforced except in congested areas and on "holiday weekends".
a function of motoring and their position on the bow. Most areas have prohibitions re: "bow riding", especially on power boats, but also on any vessel under power. In Texas, the power boat would have to have "seating" forward that did not allow body parts to extend outside the hull to be legal. On sailing vessels, I've seldom seen it enforced except in congested areas and on "holiday weekends".
had the same thing happen in tampa bay
sherriff stopped me in a small channel sailing and insisted that all extremeties be inside the life line. I was supprised and tried to discuss it but. we ended up putting in our legs. Cheaper that way!
sherriff stopped me in a small channel sailing and insisted that all extremeties be inside the life line. I was supprised and tried to discuss it but. we ended up putting in our legs. Cheaper that way!
Legs
Last summer a ranger at Horn Island ordered my grandchildren out of the bow seat and into the cockpit of my 23ft power boat. Said they could only ride in the bow seat when the boat was not "on the Plane" NOT It's easier to go along than argue with someone witha little power. Arguing will just get you a citation
Last summer a ranger at Horn Island ordered my grandchildren out of the bow seat and into the cockpit of my 23ft power boat. Said they could only ride in the bow seat when the boat was not "on the Plane" NOT It's easier to go along than argue with someone witha little power. Arguing will just get you a citation
Forewarned and Forearmed
Morning: I operate my boat in an inland tri-state area, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Not only are there all three states represented by enforcement officers, there is also the Coast Guard. That is exactly the reason that I carry a copy of all three states boating regulation's as all three states vary. Coast Guard Reg's are not that hard to keep track of as they are consistent in all states. The "warning" or the "stop" depends entirely on the experience level of whichever enforcement individual you are dealing with. It's not uncommon to get "warned" about something that is not against any state or Coast Guard regulation, it just simply just doesn't look right! Fortunately, the majority of enforcement efforts in this area are dedicated to PWC's and dangerous operation of speed boats where violations are more obvious. Very little time or effort is directed towards sail boats other than sometime routine safety inspections, usually while at dock. I'm not familiar Florida's regs, but I'll bet that the warning was correct while under power. Mel and Ed are right on the money though. Regardless of whatever they come up with, it's better to smile, comply, thank them, and go on about your business.
Morning: I operate my boat in an inland tri-state area, Tennessee, Alabama, and Mississippi. Not only are there all three states represented by enforcement officers, there is also the Coast Guard. That is exactly the reason that I carry a copy of all three states boating regulation's as all three states vary. Coast Guard Reg's are not that hard to keep track of as they are consistent in all states. The "warning" or the "stop" depends entirely on the experience level of whichever enforcement individual you are dealing with. It's not uncommon to get "warned" about something that is not against any state or Coast Guard regulation, it just simply just doesn't look right! Fortunately, the majority of enforcement efforts in this area are dedicated to PWC's and dangerous operation of speed boats where violations are more obvious. Very little time or effort is directed towards sail boats other than sometime routine safety inspections, usually while at dock. I'm not familiar Florida's regs, but I'll bet that the warning was correct while under power. Mel and Ed are right on the money though. Regardless of whatever they come up with, it's better to smile, comply, thank them, and go on about your business.
power vs. sail
So crew can sit on the high side and hike out with their legs over while sailing in a 20+ knot breeze but can't do it while powering along on a becalmed sea? Makes no sense. Maybe this has to do with local rules about transiting a marina or anchorage?
So crew can sit on the high side and hike out with their legs over while sailing in a 20+ knot breeze but can't do it while powering along on a becalmed sea? Makes no sense. Maybe this has to do with local rules about transiting a marina or anchorage?
Legalities
While waiting for my turn in a small local courtroom I had a chance to hear all the cases prior to mine.Most of the 30 or so cases were from boating citations. Of these it was about half and half.50% were for open intoxicants and the other half were for not sitting in the seats.
While waiting for my turn in a small local courtroom I had a chance to hear all the cases prior to mine.Most of the 30 or so cases were from boating citations. Of these it was about half and half.50% were for open intoxicants and the other half were for not sitting in the seats.
Local Law
The Coast Guard Nav rules don't address this issue, so each state or locality can make its own rules. In California, the California Boating and Waterways has made regulations (which have the effect of law) prohibiting "riding on the bow, gunwale or transom of a vessel propelled by machinery, when such position is not protected by railing" or "riding in a position which is obviously dangerous". It also says these provisions don't apply to "the necessary management of a sail" (somewhat redundant, since the regs only apply to boats "propelled by machinery"). There was an instance where a person riding on the sponson of an inflatable boat was cited for this "gunwale riding". Does an inflatable even have a gunwale? You gotta know your local laws, and be a sea lawyer to boot...
The Coast Guard Nav rules don't address this issue, so each state or locality can make its own rules. In California, the California Boating and Waterways has made regulations (which have the effect of law) prohibiting "riding on the bow, gunwale or transom of a vessel propelled by machinery, when such position is not protected by railing" or "riding in a position which is obviously dangerous". It also says these provisions don't apply to "the necessary management of a sail" (somewhat redundant, since the regs only apply to boats "propelled by machinery"). There was an instance where a person riding on the sponson of an inflatable boat was cited for this "gunwale riding". Does an inflatable even have a gunwale? You gotta know your local laws, and be a sea lawyer to boot...
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