Water Patrol

[cr2k]

Re: Water Patrol

During the week or on a SLOW weekend the Rangers (State Recreation Area) will pull some people over. During the weekend (always very busy) they tend to hide so they don't have to deal with anything. We always see people pulling tubes or a skier behind a PWC with NO observer and they do this in the main body where everyone can see them.

But most of the time they just sit outside of the wake zone up at the headwater to watch everyone doing the Red neck yacht club thing. Occasionally they will pick one off as he heads back to the dock alone.

A bunch of wussies.

 

[skiantique]

Re: Water Patrol

WOW!!!!!!! Was I reading this forum correctly? first and formost. no one ever said freedom was free. many men and women still pay a heavy price everyday for the freedom that you speak of so FREELY! All of this over a simple inspection that someone asks if it was legal to get. yes, it was perfectly legal. the officer or officers that gave you the inspection are out on the water for your safety and the safety of others. I am not a law enforcment personnel and i have been stopped for a safety inspection and to be told that i was outside the channel of the river i was in and going two miles an hour faster than i should have been. nervous i was, but when it was all said and done i felt much better to know that someone was watching over me out there. relax, enjoy the waters, do what you are supposed to do and you will never have any problems with the law other than a quick inspection. dont sweat it. it is their job. Happy boating!!!!!

 

[JoLin]

Re: Water Patrol

i have been stopped for a safety inspection and to be told that i was outside the channel of the river i was in and going two miles an hour faster than i should have been. nervous i was, but when it was all said and done i felt much better to know that someone was watching over me out there. relax, enjoy the waters, do what you are supposed to do and you will never have any problems with the law other than a quick inspection. dont sweat it. it is their job. Happy boating!!!!!

That's the difference- there was at least some cause to stop you and at the least, educate you. That's different from a random boarding for no reason.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Water Patrol

while i agree and i also get the sticker from my local usgc aux (not yet this year, but i have intentions). i don't think that this is ticket to not getting hassled. the leo's don't care about a sticker, + i only get one sticker. port side only. what if they observe me from starboard. they don't see the sticker..

If an inability to see the sticker is a problem, then boaters should be issued 2 of them, or both boaters and LEO's should be instructed that the sticker will be displayed on the port side.

Obtaining that sticker is a voluntary act, shows the boater's intent to abide by the law, and should be viewed as a free pass unless the boater is doing something wrong.

 

[109jb]

Re: Water Patrol

Only the C.G can board without cause or permission. They are unique in this regard over ALL other agencies.

Any other federal, state, or local LEO needs probable cause or your permission to board your boat.

If you don't have a line in the water you are not fishing. If you are not fishing you don't have to produce your fishing license.

Having said the above, anyone can ask anything. I could pull up next to you and ASK if I can come on board to check your boat's safety equipment. I can ASK to see you Fishing license. I can ASK to see what is in your livewell. You can tell me or anyone else no except the C.G.

Problem with saying no is that you immediately give the LEO asking the impression that you have something to hide.

I don't have anything to hide and therefore I comply with LEO requests.

By the way, I have had LEO's pull up to see if I have all my safety items. I have never been boarded during this. I have only had to show them to the LEO and away they go. Same with the livewell. Open it up and the DNR officer looks in and away he goes.

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Water Patrol

Only the C.G can board without cause or permission. They are unique in this regard over ALL other agencies.

Any other federal, state, or local LEO needs probable cause or your permission to board your boat.

That's not exactly true. Coast Guard officers have their authority to board and search, (we're talking international waters now, or boats that are entering state waters from offshore) because they are also customs officers. Customs of course also have the right to board and search without cause.

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Water Patrol

WOW!!!!!!! Was I reading this forum correctly? first and formost. no one ever said freedom was free. many men and women still pay a heavy price everyday for the freedom that you speak of so FREELY!

You are absolutely correct! I have close friends dodging bullets and ied's. I assume these are the very people you speak of..... I believe when they are back in the states and they go boating with me that they should not have to submit to random searches and inspections while on the way to go find some relaxation. If we have our lines in the water then we are bound by the provisions of our fishing licenses to show them to any leo but simply being on a legally registered boat in legal waters abiding by all laws is NOT probable cause for law enforcement action

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Water Patrol

just curious... but what if I seek out an officer for an inspection and end up not having something...will they ticket me?

 

[109jb]

Re: Water Patrol

Trailer the boat to get the safety inspection and then you can't get a ticket. If on the water they have the right to ticket you. A lot has to do with your demeanor and the officer's demeanor. If cordial they would most likely just have you return to dock and take care of whatever the problem is.

 

[royal0014]

Re: Water Patrol

Well, I see a whole buttload of opinions and -WIDE- varying facts. While everyone is throwing around their version of the law, keep in mind that these laws are different from state to state. What is law to me may be different where you are.

As far as freedom of choice, your first choice is to simply stay off the water if you don't like the law in your area! If people through the ages exercised plain common sense, these laws would have never came into being. Does the LEO stop and check you because everyone else is stupid, or because you are one of the stupid ones???

I have been a member in good standing with the A.C. Rescue Squad on beautiful Lake Martin, Alabama for over 17 years. Since the State enacted strict boating laws and mandatory boating safety courses in the mid-90's, the number of drownings has dropped significantly. I remember seasons of 5 or 6 drownings. Now, we average one every couple or three years. It is sad that you have to force people to act responsibly.

These are my opinions. You have the right to your own. Enjoy them!!

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Water Patrol

don't get me wrong... as I said earlier I am all for enforcement.... I am also all for safety..... I will be the first to take action if it needs done.... I have no problem stepping up and aiding law enforcement if there is immenant danger for someone.... There are a great many wonderfull people, both men and women who actually have the public's best interest in mind wearing all sorts of uniforms..... There are also unfortunately, many who are only concerned with collecting their pay as easily as possible and still yet others who just enjoy being the tough guy.... I generally don't get harrassed but I do see where one could state as a valid point that the op who was kind enough to slow down so as not to throw a wake on the leo and was then subjected to an inspection simply because he was easy prey might not be exactly within the letter or intent of the law

 

[dingbat]

Re: Water Patrol

That is dangerous because the rights and freedoms you do not actively protect are the rights and freedoms that you lose.... Those that would abuse your rights will continue along that path until forced to stop.... Ask the american indians how well trusting the government to look out for their rights worked out....

In general I don?t have a problem with what you?re saying. Problem is, people try to use the ?freedom? clause to try and justify just about anything. Where exactly in the Constitution does it state that you are free to do as you please? I guess I missed it.

Now imagine going back 50-75 years and tell folks they could be pulled over and ticketed for not having a seatbelt on even at 10 mph on a remote road..... or stopped in a boat without being observered committing any offense and boarded for a (mandatory) safety inspection...... They would laugh at you too

Easy...I was around back in those pre-historic days.
The response from the seat belt fine would be nothing like the look you got when you told folks 50 years ago that Al-qaeda just flew two 747 jet liners into the World Trade Towers?

 

[JoLin]

Re: Water Patrol

In general I don?t have a problem with what you?re saying. Problem is, people try to use the ?freedom? clause to try and justify just about anything. Where exactly in the Constitution does it state that you are free to do as you please? I guess I missed it.




Easy...I was around back in those pre-historic days.
The response from the seat belt fine would be nothing like the look you got when you told folks 50 years ago that Al-qaeda just flew two 747 jet liners into the World Trade Towers?

Not to offend, but please do not bring Homeland Security and terrorism into this discussion. That's a whole other debate and shouldn't have any place on this forum.

This conversation is about safety enforcement on the water and under what circumstances it's reasonable for a boater to be stopped and/or boarded by a LEO.

My .02

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Water Patrol

Would someone please tell me why I need a throwable floatation device if I'm the only one in the boat?

And on the fishing thing. At least in Florida I'm sure they have a right to ask for anything although having fishing tackle and fish in the boat without a license would be illegal. Fishing tackle and no fish I don't think is illegal.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Water Patrol

Would someone please tell me why I need a throwable floatation device if I'm the only one in the boat?

Are you saying you wouldn't throw it to a person who fell out of somebody else's boat? Man, you're strict!

 

[180Fisherman]

Re: Water Patrol

Of course I would. But I'm only legally responsible for MY passengers. I'm not legally responsible for passengers of other vessels.

 

[TMoNeE]

Re: Water Patrol

Here they have to have probable cause, least thats what the law says

 

[JoLin]

Re: Water Patrol

Of course I would. But I'm only legally responsible for MY passengers. I'm not legally responsible for passengers of other vessels.

It was meant as a joke- hope it didn't come across as anything else.

You should know, though, that your responsibility is NOT only to your own passengers. You're legally required to lend any assistance that won't endanger you, your passengers or your vessel. If you have a VHF, you're supposed to be monitoring the emergency channel 16 (might be a different channel inland, I don't recall).

 

[DANZIG]

Re: Water Patrol

Well, like I said, I am not real happy with it but I will put up with it as long as it is done professionally and respectfully. It does some good.

I reckon it would do much more good, be less expensive, and less intrusive, just to post CG or a LEO at "the ramp", no boat needed.

To be fair, here in my area we are not over run with boaters, conditions elsewhere may require more presence.

All that being said, it shocks and saddens me the number of "if you have nothing to hide" opinions. This is the USA after all, one wonders if those folks would be just as happy living in China or some such police state country.

 

[mattb1974]

Re: Water Patrol

Here they have to have probable cause, least thats what the law says

Every state is supposed to have probable cause to search. Those states that do not are violating the constitution and if one had enough money and time to fight it they would win.