What do you hand the CG if they come aboard

I hope that most of you guys wont volunteer to have a government agent crawl up your ass. Isn't there enough of that going on involuntarily?
 
I don't know....is the NSA watching these posts?
 
Gofirstclass said:
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.
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I have the inspection sticker on the port window CG and local PD have pulled up next to us but never have been boarded, all the paper work is in one bag sealed in a plastic.
 
CG auxiliary and most local US Power Squadron will come to your boat at your slip and do a free inspection for you. I have yet to take advantage of this service, but it seems like a good idea. I might be a little weird though in that I have yet to be stopped in the 2 years I have been boating out of Long Beach, CA harbor, and I kind of want to be, just to get the experience under my belt and for the amusement factor. My flares , USCG docs, life jackets fire systems, noise makers etc are all up to snuff.
 
dwna1a said:
I don't know....is the NSA watching these posts?
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"When the people fear their government, there is tyranny; when the government fears the people, there is liberty." Thomas Jefferson.
 
I'm no fan of warrantless searches, invasion of privacy, and the all around general erosion of civil rights...but I don't think that applies here.

I'm pretty sure that if the CG wants to board they have the right to do so. They don't need a warrant or "probable cause". By captaining a boat in US waters I believe the regs have always given them the authority. This isn't something new....

I guess I would hand them whatever they requested as I've never heard them request anything that wasn't inline with their job.

As an FYI I've been stopped by DNR on the Chesapeake while in a kayak.... That was funny...
 
They're only looking out for everyone's best interests. When you have the right equipment, you can save your life and others.


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Mostly it's just our son, so he gets handed his favourite alcoholic beverage:) If not, they get to see all the pertinent docs (USCG documentation, ins. etc) and all safety equipment, life vests etc., which they request.
 
We usually have vessel inspections at one of our land based cruises early in the year. I couldn't do it this year since my documentation papers didn't show up on time. As far as that helping you not get boarded goes, not true. I have seen many people with current stackers still get boarded. I truly believe they are often trying to catch you drinking or something. Why else would they board someone that has a current sticker?
 
I have my boat inspected each season. I've been checked by the USCG even though I have the sticker. I don't think it tells them much, just that you were OK at some point in the past. One boarding was cut short when I pulled out the copy of the inspection, was it the inspection or the recent date of it that made a difference I don't know. I hear you guys talk of packets of info to show them and wonder what it all is...I pull my registration and drivers license out of my wallet and that's all I show them...is boat insurance a requirement in your states?
 
I have never had a problem with the CG during a boarding. They usually are just spot checking documents and safety equipment. They are courteous and brief and then they are gone. I don't think that the safety inspection sticker will keep you from being boarded but it does show that you volunteered to have someone look at your vessel. I welcome them aboard and show them what they want and answer their questions.
 
I keep my insurance, documentation certificate and Coast Guard inspection certificate in a plastic bag. Just by way of observation, it seems the small fishing boats get boarded a whole lot more often than any of the 30'+ yachts in our area. I think they are looking for illegal fluke/flounder as much as BUI.
 
I was just boarded last week on the Niagara River in Buffalo NY. They handled all lines - just told me to stand by. They wanted boat registration and my drivers license. Made sure I had enough life preservers for everyone. Checked that the horn and engine blower worked . Wanted to see the engine. Checked hull number, gave me a receipt, thanked me and went on their way. Not something I'd like to do all the time but if it would help keep waterways safe I don't have a problem with it.
 
Just an FYI, I had a safety check this past week and the CG Aux guy said new this year is the local law enforcement aren't supposed to stop boats with a current inspection sticker. This is in Western MI area (Whitelake). He said obviously this wouldn't stop them but they have been told not to stop them.
 
Xplicitlnck said:
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. .
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Upholding your civil rights is not giving them a hard time. Its acting like a responsible citizen of the Untied States. Lets not give up any freedom. While the CG can stop you and demand to see registration and required safety devices, they are constitutionally prohibited from searching your boat or going below decks without your explicit permission and invitation unless there is probable cause to do so. NEVER allow a search of your vessel. Your passengers do not have to show ID either. Please do not fall for the myths that its the governments water and they can have special requirements. The constitution is not suspended when you get on a boat.
 
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