Boarded!!

spikedaddy99

Well-Known Member
GOLD Sponsor
Jun 11, 2008
2,579
Prentice, Wi
Boat Info
2005 500 DB
Engines
QSM-11
So for the 1st time in my boating career, I got a CG Auxiliary safety check Saturday morning. I finally happened to be at the marina when they were there. My 2 fire extinguishers failed. (2004) and I had a negative battery terminal cover missing (may be Wisconsin law, not marine law). So I get them replaced and fixed (West Marine was going to get busy Saturday!!) Saturday before we went out. Lo and behold the Coast Guard stopped us and boarded us Saturday cruising up Green Bay. Another 1st. IMO, they saw the 3 teenaged girls sunning on my bow, but I digress. They stopped us (came in from starboard, sticker is on port) were incredibly nice and professional, went through a checklist of sorts, asked me about somethings the Auxiliary didn't, and signed us off as approved. Had to hold my daughter back. Head honcho was buff, tatted up, and a good looking dude (apparently):D A good time was had for all (except me, the Dad) Anyway, I should have asked what the response would have been had I not replaced my extinguishers. Thank goodness for the Auxiliary!!
 
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We were boarded in Leland Harbor a few years ago. Coasties were professional and friendly. Gave us a sticker for our boat so we would not be bothered by another boarding if it was displayed on our windshield.
 
What the heck did they pull you over with? One of their cutters? :) In Grand Haven they mostly patrol in their smaller inflatable rigs. I'm not sure they can effectively pull over larger boats with those?
 
....
Lo and behold the Coast Guard stopped us and boarded us Saturday cruising up Green Bay. Another 1st. IMO, they saw the 3 teenaged girls sunning on my bow, ....
Boats underway with people on the bow will ALWAYS attract attention from the USCG or LEO. Might be OK (in some places limited to no-wake speeds, and others if there's 'appropriate seating' provided by the manufacturer), but will get their attention and give them a reason to come up or a visit.
 
What the heck did they pull you over with? One of their cutters? :) In Grand Haven they mostly patrol in their smaller inflatable rigs. I'm not sure they can effectively pull over larger boats with those?
Ha!! It was their smaller inflatable. Luckily it was fairly calm so they could drop 2 sailors off on the swim platform.
 
Boats underway with people on the bow will ALWAYS attract attention from the USCG or LEO. Might be OK (in some places limited to no-wake speeds, and others if there's 'appropriate seating' provided by the manufacturer), but will get their attention and give them a reason to come up or a visit.

USCG doesn't need a reason to pull you over and board your vessel though. They need not worry themselves with the fourth amendment...
 
USCG doesn't need a reason to pull you over and board your vessel though. They need not worry themselves with the fourth amendment...
Funny you say that...The Auxiliary who did my inspection told me the Coast Guard was founded before the Constitution was ratified, so they have greater power than other enforcement types. However, a Google search says the CG was founded in 1790...
 
There's a TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) boat on my dock at the marina. Most times when I see these guys gearing up especially when I see them with their assault riffles in their bag I say please don't shoot anyone today. ;). They have to be ready for anything.
 
USCG doesn't need a reason to pull you over and board your vessel though. They need not worry themselves with the fourth amendment...
You are absolutely correct, they do not need a reason. However, if they're scanning the area I am sure they adjust their priorities based on what they observe. With two otherwise-identical boats, what is one doing that might warrant attention that they other one doesn't get?
 
There's a TWRA (Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency) boat on my dock at the marina. Most times when I see these guys gearing up especially when I see them with their assault riffles in their bag I say please don't shoot anyone today. ;). They have to be ready for anything.
What's an "assault rifle"? Is that the same as a "weapon of war"? ;) Sorry, couldn't resist. My 86 year old mom informed me last night that "the tv said those school children were killed by weapons of war". She only watches ABC news and couldn't conceive that they were just parroting talking points. Told me I had to be wrong, they are weapons of war, David Muir said so and he doesn't lie. He just "reads the news".

Hijack over.
 
You are absolutely correct, they do not need a reason. However, if they're scanning the area I am sure they adjust their priorities based on what they observe. With two otherwise-identical boats, what is one doing that might warrant attention that they other one doesn't get?
Well we were the only boat within miles...so I guess it was us :D
 
You are absolutely correct, they do not need a reason. However, if they're scanning the area I am sure they adjust their priorities based on what they observe. With two otherwise-identical boats, what is one doing that might warrant attention that they other one doesn't get?

Yah....they are also all men. Men of a certain age. Man alive I got pulled over almost every other weekend when I was in my 20's owning a little go-fast Baja. USCG are just like the rest of us - look for the bikini's and target those boats. Why not? They can at least enjoy parts of their job when 80% of the people they deal with are likely jacka$$es.

When I retire in 80 years you can expect my full report. I'll sit along the channel in Grand Haven and start keeping copious records of what types of boats and occupants get pulled over most regularly on Saturdays and Sundays. Maybe even get me a telephoto lens so I can share my results on that bikini thread I see floating around here. :)
 
Boats underway with people on the bow will ALWAYS attract attention from the USCG or LEO. Might be OK (in some places limited to no-wake speeds, and others if there's 'appropriate seating' provided by the manufacturer), but will get their attention and give them a reason to come up or a visit.
Completely illegal in Maryland, will definitely get you pulled over.
"The practice, called bow riding, is dangerous and sometimes deadly. And in Maryland and many other states, it is illegal.
Bow riding is considered reckless and negligent operation under Maryland boating laws,” explains Superintendent Col. Robert “Ken” Ziegler Jr. “The penalty is up to $500 for a first offense, but often—and sadly—the ultimate price is much higher. The solution to this problem is simple: Ride Inside.”
 
Completely illegal in Maryland, will definitely get you pulled over.
"The practice, called bow riding, is dangerous and sometimes deadly. And in Maryland and many other states, it is illegal.
Bow riding is considered reckless and negligent operation under Maryland boating laws,” explains Superintendent Col. Robert “Ken” Ziegler Jr. “The penalty is up to $500 for a first offense, but often—and sadly—the ultimate price is much higher. The solution to this problem is simple: Ride Inside.”

I wouldn't have believed it had I not read it myself. "Emergency legislation" enacted after a child was killed by the prop of a pontoon boat mid 2010's.

I find your quote mildly hilarious, though. "often" the ultimate price is much higher? Sure seems like they should qualify "often" with some statistics. Classic journalism right there...
 
They enforced it totally, I cant say I ever see anyone riding up on a bow anymore (bowriders excepted).

Well that makes sense but I can tell you there are hundreds of kids on bows of boats every weekend in Michigan. And I think we have the most, or second most, registered boats in the country?

The term "often" as it relates to children ending up dead due to bow riding seems tacky and completely without base in reality. Hence my use of the term "classic journalism" :)
 
Is there some official definition of what constitutes a legal bow seat?
 

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