What do you hand the CG if they come aboard

T

The W.A.V.E.

New Member
Mar 30, 2008
174
New Buffalo, Mi
Boat Info
340DA
Engines
7.4l mpi
Im just curious what documentation you have ready if you are boarded. Where do you keep it and how is it kept. Im interested in hearing from everyone especially the Lake Michigan boaters.

Also, part 2 of my question is specifically for Michigan side LM boaters. How do you have your boat registered. Is it documented, if so do you also display the conservation sticker on the side of your boat. Just curious if Im even legal. Thank you for all the replies!
 
Here in Canada we are required to have our Operator's card and the government of Canada license document. We keep them near the helm in a waterproof tote bag along with passports, fishing licenses, and any other identification we may have. They have only boarded our boat twice but each time they have only been on board for about two minutes. They have their check list; mandatory equipment, license, operators' cards, and,,,, is the helmsman sober. If you can have all this stuff within sight of the boarding location they won't hold you up for long. Around here they don't even seem to care that there is open liquor throughout the boat,,, just as long as the helmsman has an operator's card and is sober.
 
If the boat is Documented, Michigan requires that you show your state registration sticker on each side of the boat. Preferably the port and starboard bow quarters.
 
IMHO if you treat them with respect and are friendly to them when the board, your contact with them will be much faster and better for you. I purposely have my boat inspected every year and display the inspection sticker near the aft entrance to the salon so they'll be sure to see it when they board.
 
I keep the registration in my first aid kit, right next to my fire extinguisher. Keep my Boat Operators license in my wallet, right below my PBA cards (if you know what they are). And I keep a smile on my face, most authorities that I run into are very friendly and boater types to begin with.
 
The W.A.V.E. said:
Im just curious what documentation you have ready if you are boarded. Where do you keep it and how is it kept. Im interested in hearing from everyone especially the Lake Michigan boaters.
Also, part 2 of my question is specifically for Michigan side LM boaters. How do you have your boat registered. Is it documented, if so do you also display the conservation sticker on the side of your boat. Just curious if Im even legal. Thank you for all the replies!
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We just have standard Michigan boat registration "MC" numbers and the documentation is kept in a binder in the cabin.
I have the boat inspected every year just to be sure I am not missing anything.

Here on Lake Superior we have been boarded by the USCG three time over the last 10 years. Once with our friends from Canada on board.
Never any problems - we treat them with respect and welcome them aboard. I never consider it a bother, they are only doing their job.
I have always asked them what they would like to see once on board and let them direct the show.
As far as documentation requested it is usually just I.D. and registration.

Funny thing - One of the times was in our little 12 foot aluminum boat with our daughter at 6 years old. When they approached and asked if they could board, I said sure and my daughter asked them how they were going to fit in the small boat? A good laugh from everyone. Upon inspection we had no horn or whistle so they gave us one and let us be on our way.

I find the only people that have problems up here are those that give them a hard time when they approach. You get what you ask for.

Respect with a smile goes along way. :grin:
 
I don't hand them anything. I wait for them to ask. I do help them come alongside and trade pleasantries. I don't want them to see me diving down below as they pull up thinking I'm hiding something.

I have all my important documents in one place in the cabin and once they ask I got everything. Then proceed to show them everything else they want to see (life vests for everyone on board, oil and waste placards, flame arrestors, horn, etc.).

My boat is documented so I have a current copy of USCG documentation. In Maryland we also have to display documented vessel stickers from the state on each side of the hull...but no registration letters.
 
See below
 
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I've been boarded/stopped several times. They have always asked for my registration. My boat isn't documented. They checked some other varying safety equipment, sometimes it's the fire extinguisher or horn. Most recently they just wanted to see my throwable device and a lifejacket for both people onboard. On the Ohio river we rarely see the Coast Guard stopping people It's usually local police or conservation officers.
 
I have a small white binder with all my registration, insurance, last USCG inspection. No big deal. Now if a sheriff or state police ask, then I asked them for the reason of the boarding on a federal waterway. There has been times when they have stated thank you and moved on. I also display my USCG sticker which prevents a lot of boardings.
 
My CWP and my notebook with all my boating paperwork.....right after I ask why I'm being boarded
 
I was boarded and inspected 3 times in 1 season, my first year out. I had valid Michigan registration launching in Illinois, near the Wisconsin border. Twice it was the coasties, once ILDNR. Since the registration has been changed to IL have not had any issues.
They asked for a copy of the registration, and I presented them with the MI one, and a copy of the application for IL (which you can use the application for 30 days, but they had a 3 month back log). They wanted to know why I was running a MI registration. I explained it was still valid, and I applied for the IL one, but was still waiting. They went on to say I could only boat for up to 30 days in IL on a "visiting registration" before it was no longer valid. I kindly explained that the rule also states that once I leave IL waters or jurisdiction, the 30 days starts over, and I could show them my GPS log that shows I head out into WI waters.
Then they go through the rest of the safety check... Fire Extinguisher- need one, show them 3. Life Jackets- need 4, show them 10, plus 2 Class V, Visual distress- need 1, show 2, Flares- need 4, show them 10, plus 10 expired (but still good). Safety throws- need 1, show them 3 with lines. Horn Check- electric horn on boat, plus a portable air horn. Ship to shore VHF radio- 1 mobile 25W, and one handheld 5W. They asked if I passed a boater safety course. I explained that I was a certified dive rescue boat operator through the Fire Department, and furthermore IL State law does not require anybody over 18 be certified. Then they asked where my waste oil placard was. W-H-A-T??? Never heard of it. Said they would give me a warning, but I needed one. Here I thought I was well covered.
I later researched it, and found that any vessel over 26 ft. needs a waste oil and trash placard per the clean water act. If you didn't have one that the Coast Guard will provide you with one. Hmmm... my boat is 24 ft. and the Coast Guard gave me the warning, and no placard. Guess they had to bust my stones on something. I picked one up at West Marine and have it posted for the next time.
The whole time I was polite and accommodating, not smug. Since I had so many issues the first year out I keep meaning to get a vessel check and sticker when they are at the marina, but somehow always miss the date. Thankfully I have not had any other issues since. I guess all the other yahoo's that launch there are much bigger targets.

TJ
 
AKBASSKING said:
I have a small white binder with all my registration, insurance, last USCG inspection. No big deal. Now if a sheriff or state police ask, then I asked them for the reason of the boarding on a federal waterway. There has been times when they have stated thank you and moved on. I also display my USCG sticker which prevents a lot of boardings.
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I have a question. I am aware that cg does not need probable cause to board and I would never give them a hard time, am always polite, and always smiling. My question is does the bay constable, local sheriff and local pd have the same privilege? Again I will never tell them no and always welcome them with open arms (not literally).

How do you ny guys get your local yearly inspection. I want a sticker and of coarse to make sure im safe.
 
They do have the same right to board you ,our waters are state water and they cover the "state" the Coasties are federal (Homeland security) so that rules over all. The safety sticker you can get from a CG aux member probably one at you dock ask around
 
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