Got stopped by the USCG yesterday

[ZZ13]

The USCG came aboard for a surprise safety check just before Skull Creek as we were cruising to Hilton Head Island. When we volunteered the flares he said we didn't need them because the waterway was less than 2 miles wide. I had no idea that was the regulation. Pretty much everywhere I boat (ICW and branches off of it) is less than 2 miles wide, other than offshore.

 

[Boat Guy]

I didn't know that either...

 

[JimT]

I was boarded by the Coasties last summer. Two very nice kids. They were riding along on a sheriffs boat in Charleston Harbor. Problem was they didn't know port from starboard. Took forever because they couldn't tell a pollution placard from a garbage placard.

 

[ZZ13]

Scott, we did have a distress flag but he never asked to see one. He was very interested in checking if the engine room was taking on water and if the exhaust was putting out oil/fuel.

So, I looked up the Visual Distress regulation and, I'll be darned it does include the 2-mile threshold.

 

[islandhopper00]

I was boarded by the Coasties last summer. Two very nice kids. They were riding along on a sheriffs boat in Charleston Harbor. Problem was they didn't know port from starboard. Took forever because they couldn't tell a pollution placard from a garbage placard.

Charleston water cops......don't even mention elliot cut, or have a out of state registration number displayed.

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

Same here in Canada. As long as it's a river where you can't be more than 1 mile from shore… That's fine in the St Clair River, but when out on Lake Huron I need 12 flares.

 

[MonacoMike]

Same here in Canada. ...but when out on Lake Huron I need 12 flares.

12? That's a bunch with the short life they have.

MM

 

[Jimmy Buoy]

12? That's a bunch with the short life they have.

MM

You've got that right! Most boaters here as a result have lots of expired flares onboard and we just keep piling them up. At one time, the Canadian Coast Guard would set a designated day/time for mariners to test fire flares, but stopped allowing that years ago - too bad, I've never fired one off. It would be good training...

 

[trit21]

We take our expired flares to the Bahamas during July 4th (yes they celebrate that for us in the Bahamas with fireworks and all) and have a training night out over the Sea of Abaco. It is amazing how very little burn time they have even when new ones were used. I would think they would stay in the air longer.

 

[Gary Hill]

I find both the USCG and the local Sheriff do not know the law and rules of the raod like we think they should. I too respect them and am glad they are there. After all who is coming when we are in trouble?

 

[Polaris]

After a 10 day trip I was within sight of the CYOA sailboat charter base in St. Thomas, USVI, when the Coasties came along side and "asked" if they could board. What, I'm going to say no??? So 3 of them came onboard (later, one of my crew said they looked like their mother's had to drive them to work.) Checked boat papers, passports (kind of surprised by that) and # of PFDs, but what they seemed really interested in was whether the head valves had been turned to the holding tanks. Lectured me on being sure we had been 3 miles offshore before emptying the tanks.

 

[Bob & Sue]

I guess I'm lucky never been boarded except at our marina the USCG keeps a boat 2 boat houses down from us. I've got to know them fairly well most are very young & love what their doing. They asked if we would let them use our boat for a training exercise for a couple new guys, I let them one of the first things they checked after paperwork was the macerator pump seacock. The 1st time I had a safety check done I was told it was a violation to have it open it must remain closed unless at sea & it's just another place for a failed hose. All went well with no problems I wonder what would have happened if I had refused.

Later they gave me a quick tour of their boat there's more electronics on those boats than a WM showroom really impressive.

 

[NorCal Boater]

I got boarded once. The Admiral and I were anchored just off shore in Long Beach, CA enjoying the weather and each other's company. I saw the Coastie Patrol boat about 200 yards astern. About that time the Admiral starts to get frisky (she didn't see them) and climbs in my lap. Right then that Patrol boat made a quick 90 turn and headed my way. Now I know it could have been a coincidence but I truly believe they were looking for some skin....hers not mine. If they had waited about 5 more minutes they would have seen plenty.

 

[Do Over]

So....sounds like you were boarded by the Admiral AND the Coasties? :huh:

:grin:

 

[JVM225]

The USCG may ot require them, but New York State (where I live and boat) requires the flares. No mention in their regs about the width of the waterway.
Your State may be the same. Probably best to check ith them.

 

[FootballFan]

Never been stopped and boarded.

But assuming it might happen tomorrow,

What is the checklist I should be ready for?

Thanks
Mark

 

[Woody]

The USCG came aboard for a surprise safety check just before Skull Creek as we were cruising to Hilton Head Island. When we volunteered the flares he said we didn't need them because the waterway was less than 2 miles wide. I had no idea that was the regulation. Pretty much everywhere I boat (ICW and branches off of it) is less than 2 miles wide, other than offshore.

When I read this it sounds like the regs are misunderstood. The 2mile thing is intended to be a boundary of the federally controlled waters. They were in error for telling you that you didn't need them for two reasons...they could have been what you used for daytime signals, also the state of SC would require VDS of some kind if it was between sunset and sunrise.

 

[Woody]

The USCG may ot require them, but New York State (where I live and boat) requires the flares. No mention in their regs about the width of the waterway.
Your State may be the same. Probably best to check ith them.

Your state does not require flares....it requires 'visual distress signals'.

 

[SeaAyeOwe]

But assuming it might happen tomorrow,

What is the checklist I should be ready for?

Thanks
Mark

This is what I used to check us requirements against Canada - it's the internet and it is in color - so it must be true :grin: Maybe someone will pipe up an official site.

There is a section here on the two mile requirement.

State requirements need also to be checked.

http://www.uscgboating.org/images/420.PDF

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/reqequip.htm

 

[NorCal Boater]

So....sounds like you were boarded by the Admiral AND the Coasties? :huh:

:grin:

Hadn't thought of it that way but that was pretty funny.