Disappointing Observation:

P

Pensacola jim

New Member
Mar 24, 2009
81
Pensacola Florida Gulf of Mex
Boat Info
370AC 1998
9' Dink,2hp Honda
Engines
380hp Horizons
We are a late fifties couple which cruise the Florida/Alabama coast line in our Sea Ray 370AC. This summer we have made it a point to entertain our grand children more frequently this summer. We were brought up to respect everyone and teach our children to respect and admire our public servants. We have observed in our area of the coast a change in Water Patrol conduct and attitude. Now let me say we have not had a run in, and we have no axe to grind here! We want safe and fun boating!! But what we are seeing much more than should be necessary in our area is boat stopping, searching, and ticket writing. The US Coast Guard also has a presence here but seem to be part of the boatong community. They anwser the radios and offer guidance when asked. When approaching the Florida Water Patrol you arfe more likly to get a cold shoulder and a ticket than assistance/guidance. I'm sure the state of Florida is just like other states suffering for revenue but this seems an excersise to clearly raise money.
Florida officers sit on the intercoastal waiting for boaters from Alabama and if looks could kill they would. We just don't see many of these boaters doing a thing wrong, many have there families on board with life preservers on and are run up on and sometimes boarded for no apparent reason. We have not seen any drug busts from Florida Water Patrol in our area, and we have not had Terriorists that have been arrested or any foriegn armies storming our beautiful beachs! So maybe someone out there can explain what we are experiencing down here. Although my wife and I regret saying it we have told our grand children not to wave or make eye contact with these public servants. They don't wave back or smile anyway! Please add to this with other observations.
 
I had the complete opposite experience with the N J State Marine Police couple weeks ago. I had 5 on the boat, 2 being children under 13. The kids were wearing their life jackets which could not be seen from a distance. I was checked out by a NJSP boat, he checked my reg, operator lic. etc. He was very pleasant, talked to the kids nicely and that was that. I get it, there are a lot of Jack Asses out there keeping the cops pretty busy I suppose every now and then we'll get some of the fallout.
 
I had a good experience last year in Miami. Maybe they just hate people from Alabama?
 
You are correct, I boat in Orange Beach and the Alabama Marine Police are for the most part polite but the Orange Beach Water Police are total jerks. They are not nice if you happen to speak with them on the dock or if they stop you. I am for being safe on the water but they take it to an extreme. We have an island that everybody goes to and they ride around that island all day looking for people who might be drinking. For the record I do not drink on the boat. If they would just sit in cotton bayou and get all the people who run the no wake zone in front of my condo they could make all the money they need to buy a new boat every year. I know they have a job to do but it is not all bad who gets paid to ride around on a boat all day not a bad gig if you can get it...
 
I also had a great experience in the Wasington DC area when a friends boat hit a log under water and spun the prop pin. The Boat US didn't want to come and tow us in because he couldn't start any of his boats (?). Anyway the Water Police came and got us and towed us all the way back to the marina, and actually helped into the slip! They were great!!
The point I'm trying to make is we seem to have a different situation here (HOPEFULLY) in our little part of the world with the Water Patrol. I'm not sure about not liking Alabama boaters. I don't think it has anything to do with one group. They seem to just go after everyone. Again "as an observer" they are more interested in something other than assisting pleasure boaters. 3 weekends ago we watched them pull on shore and board a boat that was anchored. There were 3 officers and the owners were not on the bridge. They were apparently eating down below. They just boarded the boat. We don't know if they knocked and requested permission. Maybe they had a reason to just come aboard but my point is it just seems they (FWP, not the Coast Guard) are really leaning on boaters to the point it is a conversation in our little patch. God Help you if you have alcahol on board! I would like to know if others in our region have also noticed? Maybe this is SOP in other areas. Our boating experience is limited and maybe we are the nieve ones? We have boated here for 4 years now and the change in this season is very noticable.
 
spfortjohn, We know your island and it also was a good place to go. It's the Ft. McCray (Dog Island) area that we have noticed the changes. Our Public servants sound much like yours.
 
We have had an excellent experience so far this year with the coast guard, local and county police in Puget Sound I have noticed the local police boarding a lot of boats this year for dui's. Locals have been real freindly around here always wave and smile. While out fishing Sunday the uscg put out at least 3 warnings in 2 hours to slow down in a no wake zone (never heard them do this before) where we moore our boat the last warning said slow down or you will be ticketed going out we had 5 boats pass us we were doing 4 knots I have noticed that a large number of boaters aren't aware of or don't care about anybody or themselves going 30-40mph thru a group of floating fishing boats like they have no wake, just like they drive their cars running red lights with a couple kids in car seats if they don't care about themselves at least think about the kids. I had a coast guard safety inspection done with a sticker displayed in the port window it does lessen your chances of being boarded for papers and safety gear.
 
Pensacola jim said:
We are a late fifties couple which cruise the Florida/Alabama coast line in our Sea Ray 370AC. This summer we have made it a point to entertain our grand children more frequently this summer. We were brought up to respect everyone and teach our children to respect and admire our public servants. We have observed in our area of the coast a change in Water Patrol conduct and attitude. Now let me say we have not had a run in, and we have no axe to grind here! We want safe and fun boating!! But what we are seeing much more than should be necessary in our area is boat stopping, searching, and ticket writing. The US Coast Guard also has a presence here but seem to be part of the boatong community. They anwser the radios and offer guidance when asked. When approaching the Florida Water Patrol you arfe more likly to get a cold shoulder and a ticket than assistance/guidance. I'm sure the state of Florida is just like other states suffering for revenue but this seems an excersise to clearly raise money.
Florida officers sit on the intercoastal waiting for boaters from Alabama and if looks could kill they would. We just don't see many of these boaters doing a thing wrong, many have there families on board with life preservers on and are run up on and sometimes boarded for no apparent reason. We have not seen any drug busts from Florida Water Patrol in our area, and we have not had Terriorists that have been arrested or any foriegn armies storming our beautiful beachs! So maybe someone out there can explain what we are experiencing down here. Although my wife and I regret saying it we have told our grand children not to wave or make eye contact with these public servants. They don't wave back or smile anyway! Please add to this with other observations.
Click to expand...

What we figure is this Jim:
Many agency's have no rumor control, and budget cuts are in the works,, and the tales fly they might be outta a job. The stories grow another leg every time in the co-workers re-telling of rumors that effect their employment and everyone is running scared.

The BLM Rangers on many federal lakes and campgrounds are impossible to deal with, and I honestly think no one would miss them if the entire BLM Ranger system was dismantled,, and they know it.
It's the same with many public agencies like you mention in your post.

They are usually redundant employees because their are several other agencies that do the same job.
Sheriffs Dept's, Harbor Patrols, local PD's, Local Highway Patrols or State Police, Life Guards, Fish and Game officers,, Tribal Agency Police, County Park Rangers, State Rangers, City Park Rangers, Federal National Park Rangers, BLM Rangers,, talk about duplication of authority and duties,, the list goes on. It's not dovetailing jobs,, everyone is stepping on each others weiners.

They are creating a paper trail to justify their funding.

We stopped the other day to simply bring in our mooring lines and fenders and we were approached, and threatened with "Open Firing" because we dare ever so slightly drifted in the direction of a naval vessel.
We never got closer than about 1/4 mile, not more than 20 feet off the main fairway.
I yelled back: "But, but, we're Republicans!"

The Harbor Patrol in Avalon, Catalina Island is the same way.
They are sworn City Servants and they are hard asses to everyone they come in contact with.
Then,, 14 miles away in Two Harbors, a separate Harbor Patrol unaffiliated, that are very helpful and cheery,, a totally different agency and privately funded.
 
Last edited:
Homeland Security Restrictions
Recreational boaters have a role in keeping our waterways safe and secure.
  • Violators of the restrictions below can expect a quick and severe response.
    • Do not approach within 100 yards and slow to minimum speed within 500 yards of any U.S. Naval vessel. If you need to pass within 100 yards of a U.S. Naval vessel for safe passage, you must contact the U.S. Naval vessel or the U.S. Coast Guard escort vessel on VHF-FM channel 16.
    • Observe and avoid all security zones. Avoid commercial port operation areas, especially those that involve military, cruise-line, or petroleum facilities.
    • Observe and avoid other restricted areas near dams, power plants, etc.
    • Do not stop or anchor beneath bridges or in the channel.
  • Keep a sharp eye out for anything that looks peculiar or out of the ordinary. Report all activities that seem suspicious to the local authorities, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the port or marina security.
1/4 mile = 440 yards
 
I'm just a few miles east of you in Panama City Beach. I am seeing more of a presence of law enforcement personnel on the water, but I have not seen undue enforcement. I can't address what local water cops may be doing in your area. The USCG and the FWC use our marina for fuel and service and we see their guys nearly every day. Most of them are friendly and will visit with you while others are quiet and don't normally do not engage other boaters......but I guess that is sort of like the general population. I have yet to encounter one on the water that isn't courteous and polite.

When there is a vessel stopped and checked for documents and safety equipment there is usually a reason they are selected..........anchored or fishing in a congested channel, negligent operation, children without PFD's, improper loading, etc. Also, keep in mind that the FWC also is responsible for enforcing game laws, so many of their stops are to examine the day's catch and nothing more.

The enforcement personnel are on the water every day and they see those of us who are out on our boats regularly. They observe who runs too fast in crowded areas, who throws a huge wake, who has safe habits and who causes trouble and who does not. I don't think I "get a pass", but the enforcement guys know I'm not a high risk boater and I am always met with a wave instead of blue lights.
 
Havent seen any new problems out here in Cali. Never once boarded us in over 25 years of boating. The Newport Beach Harbor Patrol guys have always been pretty cool and helpful which has always surprised me being that the Newport Beach Police department is harsh. Havent had a run in with the Long Beach guys yet but they seem to have 2 departments there, one of which seems fairly laid back and the other is on inflatables with twin outboards and the like. They seem to be all business but tend to stay by the cruise ships and oil tankers.

I think some of them are just burnt out on people screwing up so they think everybody is probably an idiot. I think they forget that sometimes even the best people and equipment can have a problem arise that was not avoidable or anticipated but they get to thinking they are above it all.
 
Frank,
We don't have a pass either, and I'm sure they know us, we are lucky (after the Admiral gets her stuff on board) to even make a wake. We understand different folks different strokes. For the sake of the people on the water it would be nice if at least around here they would wave back to the children.
 
Newport Harbor partol is great!, We went down a couple weekends ago and it was our first time on a mooring and they sent a boat, two deputies out to help. They led us right to the slip and all but did the entire mooring for us. Really nice guys.

LB, our only run it was when there were a couple cops parked at our dock (AA) and we asked them what was up when they were walking up the gangway and they basically ignored us altogether. Rude! I have no use for LB marina patrol in general but the girls in the office are sweethearts.
 
Dsybok,
It just seems many places have the same problems. Maybe not boarding boats and writing all the tickets they can = But just being a civil individual would set a good example to the boating community, let alone the children whom will some day be asked to respect them.
 
We have at least six different agencies patrolling the waters in our area and I've had numerous contacts with most of them, but have never been stopped and inspected. I make it a point to wave to them (all five fingers, not just one!!) if we pass them on the water and I think they recognize that we're not a high risk boat. I had one of the agencies inspect my boat for safety equipment and issue me my annual decal.

I've heard some grumblings from local boaters about getting ticketed by the water cops where they felt they should have been given a warning, but the bottom line is those instances all involved required safety equipment they did not have on board. In each instance I asked the boater if they knew what they were supposed to have and got a blank look and a "no" answer. I guess some people just figure that ignorance of the law should be a defense to a ticket. Go figure.
 
Angry Ranch Hand said:
What we figure is this Jim:
Many agency's have no rumor control, and budget cuts are in the works,, and the tales fly they might be outta a job. The stories grow another leg every time in the co-workers re-telling of rumors that effect their employment and everyone is running scared.

The BLM Rangers on many federal lakes and campgrounds are impossible to deal with, and I honestly think no one would miss them if the entire BLM Ranger system was dismantled,, and they know it.
It's the same with many public agencies like you mention in your post.

They are usually redundant employees because their are several other agencies that do the same job.
Sheriffs Dept's, Harbor Patrols, local PD's, Local Highway Patrols or State Police, Life Guards, Fish and Game officers,, Tribal Agency Police, County Park Rangers, State Rangers, City Park Rangers, Federal National Park Rangers, BLM Rangers,, talk about duplication of authority and duties,, the list goes on. It's not dovetailing jobs,, everyone is stepping on each others weiners.

They are creating a paper trail to justify their funding.

We stopped the other day to simply bring in our mooring lines and fenders and we were approached, and threatened with "Open Firing" because we dare ever so slightly drifted in the direction of a naval vessel.
We never got closer than about 1/4 mile, not more than 20 feet off the main fairway.
I yelled back: "But, but, we're Republicans!"

The Harbor Patrol in Avalon, Catalina Island is the same way.
They are sworn City Servants and they are hard asses to everyone they come in contact with.
Then,, 14 miles away in Two Harbors, a separate Harbor Patrol unaffiliated, that are very helpful and cheery,, a totally different agency and privately funded.
Click to expand...

ARH makes good points concerning the whole funding thing and justfication for their existence and here are some of my thoughts from a past thread on authorities: "The relationship between police and the public they serve is sadly deteriorating. When I was a young the authorities were respected, gave respect, served the public, and known visible members of the community. There are several factors in this breakdown I would like to highlight.

Over regulation and the me, me, me society: we try to regulate so much of life that people now pick and choose what they will and won't follow. We now have created an environment that, take many boaters, would rather not see the CG. Why, they might find a minor violation and penalize us, even though we all want them to save us if in danger. Our children see this reaction and others, such as watching for cops while speeding, and perpetuate this feeling. Many folks see police as part of big brother out to get them and sometimes they are right.


The failed war on drugs: we have lost more civil liberties to this than most realize. We cannot even keep drugs out of prisons, how are we going to keep a substance with up to a 1700% profit margin out of our country? This fight has hardened criminals, and law enforcement, many cops feel you are guilty until you prove you are innocent.

The police as a revenue source: in many jurisdictions if it doesn't pay there is little enforcement, but if it pays look out. This creates an adversarial relationship with the very community police are to serve. Rarely do I see community work in progress, police used to direct traffic when the signals failed, no more. When I called to ask why: the bottom line, it doesn't pay.

Unionization and fraternal membership, and behavior: police used to be known by the community they served, now they ride in souped-up menacing looking Chargers and the like. Most I've met don't want to live where they work and are highly distrustful of all but family and others in law enforcement. Because the public is now afraid the officers they patronize them giving them a big ego trip, but doing nothing to foster good relations.

We are black and white on issues, no gray: we have removed discretion from many situations that allow for good community policing. Sometimes people need a break, but we've got dash cams in place of judgment.

There will be some on both sides that will not fit this pattern, but whenever you see a law enforcement officer do you slow down, start to worry about minor details that they could play gotcha with? Generally law abiding citizens shouldn't need to feel this way." MM
 
No complaints about the local water cops here. I'd like to see more enforcement of the no wake laws because we are on the main body of water and take water over our transom on a daily basis caused by idiots. However, we are not stopped when we boat. Our boat has been on this lake for 34 years and the enforcement people recognize the name and know how we operate.
 
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