- Aug 25, 2008
- 1,819
- Boat Info
- 2006 320 V-Drives 6.2s, Bow Thruster, Generator, Raymarine C80, Radar, Fish Finder
- Engines
- 6.2 Horizons 320HP
I spent last week on the boat with my wife and kids. We did a bunch of day trips and played with the Sea Doos. One day we took a little trip up to NYC to see the Statue of Liberty and the Intrepid. On my return home to Monmouth Beach, I was stopped by the Coast Guard just inside of Sandy Hook. They were doing routine stops. Their opening question was "Have you been boarded by the coast guard in the ocean this year?" My answer was "no".
I had 5 kids on board under the age of 13 and 3 adults including myself. (all the kids were wearing life jackets)
They asked for paperwork for my boat, my drivers license and when they saw my Power Squadron certificate they asked for that as well. They also asked for ID for the other 2 adults. 2 officers boarded my boat and asked to see all of my life jackets and flairs and then asked if my sea cock was closed for my discharge, (it wasn't) I played dumb and said "I leave the switch off down in the cabin so no one can use it" They told me I needed to keep the sea cock closed. I said I would be happy to close it, but I have to lay across my hot engines to get to it. They said I need to do it when the engines cooled off. I agreed. (they obviously gave me a break)
This did get me thinking. What if I wanted to take a trip out to the ocean and dump my toilet 3 miles off shore? I would have to drive out with the sea cock open and risk a fine or try to open it with hot engines in the ocean?
They asked to hear my horn. I warned them before I hit the button that I had a very special "Sea Ray" horn. When they heard it, they laughed. They then asked to see oil placards and garbage placards. I had to pull out my owners manual to find the oil placard. It is located under the bottom of the hatch just to the right of the shelf that holds the outside table. They inspected the bilge for oil with a flashlight.
It was about 90 degrees that day and the coasties were in full dark blue uniforms with full gear and full life vests. The sweat was pouring off them (and me). I can't believe this is uniform of choice for them.. If I were them, I would "accidently" fall in the ocean every 20 minutes.
In the end I failed for not having a throwable Type IV device. They told me I would get a letter in the mail and need to repond with proof of purchase which would allow me to avoid any fines.
I had 5 kids on board under the age of 13 and 3 adults including myself. (all the kids were wearing life jackets)
They asked for paperwork for my boat, my drivers license and when they saw my Power Squadron certificate they asked for that as well. They also asked for ID for the other 2 adults. 2 officers boarded my boat and asked to see all of my life jackets and flairs and then asked if my sea cock was closed for my discharge, (it wasn't) I played dumb and said "I leave the switch off down in the cabin so no one can use it" They told me I needed to keep the sea cock closed. I said I would be happy to close it, but I have to lay across my hot engines to get to it. They said I need to do it when the engines cooled off. I agreed. (they obviously gave me a break)
This did get me thinking. What if I wanted to take a trip out to the ocean and dump my toilet 3 miles off shore? I would have to drive out with the sea cock open and risk a fine or try to open it with hot engines in the ocean?
They asked to hear my horn. I warned them before I hit the button that I had a very special "Sea Ray" horn. When they heard it, they laughed. They then asked to see oil placards and garbage placards. I had to pull out my owners manual to find the oil placard. It is located under the bottom of the hatch just to the right of the shelf that holds the outside table. They inspected the bilge for oil with a flashlight.
It was about 90 degrees that day and the coasties were in full dark blue uniforms with full gear and full life vests. The sweat was pouring off them (and me). I can't believe this is uniform of choice for them.. If I were them, I would "accidently" fall in the ocean every 20 minutes.
In the end I failed for not having a throwable Type IV device. They told me I would get a letter in the mail and need to repond with proof of purchase which would allow me to avoid any fines.