Pulled over by coastguard

[fatboyroy]

This happens last Friday when coming from off shore Trip I was on my way to the dock when CG patrol boarded my boat. They told me I was speeding at the inlet and there is a big fine associated with it. They are very nice I told them I was confused as I been cruising at the inlet quite a while now and I see boaters fly by all the time. They told me to go to myfwc website and plan my route on each trip as they understand signs are few and very far apart, plus the inlet is 500 yard wide so who’s goin to see the sign. Anyway I didn’t get a ticket, I got certificate of boarding that states my boat is in compliance regarding safety etc. have any of you experience this? I been boating on and off for quite a while this is the first time for me

 

[2kwik4u]

I've been boating for multiple decades. Owned my own boat for almost a full decade now. I've been boarded a number of times. They've ALWAYS been very cordial and nice. Always just checking for safety gear.

Got boarded a few years ago after spending the day drinking at party cove during the Lake Cumberland Poker Run. 4/5 of us were SIGNIFICANTLY drunk. Our Designated Pilot was sober as could be. They boarded and we had to move 2 trash bags of beer cans out of the way to get to the life vests and paperwork and such for the safety inspection......again, very calm and cordial, and super polite. We passed the test and they moved along wish us drunkards good luck, and telling us to thank our DP for keeping us out of jail.

Never anything but good experiences with the Coast Guard here.

 

[zipper]

One question...Were you wearing your lanyard? That is good you got a certificate, If they gave you a sticker, display it on port side window. "You will not get boarded again unless you are boating dangerously". I got one last year for the sailboat from the Vermont State Police.

 

[johhnyboat]

Did they give you a sticker when you were in compliance? if so, put that sucker on.

 

[fatboyroy]

One question...Were you wearing your lanyard?

Yes I was but I took my vest off (attached with lanyard) as I'm about to approach the dock, but they know it and probably saw me took off my vest.

 

[fatboyroy]

Did they give you a sticker when you were in compliance? if so, put that sucker on.

No just like paperwork that has all the safety equipment check and on the bottom says compliant or something, i put it in the dry box with the boat registration.

 

[David Martin]

And just how fast was to fast...... I go through inlets in Punta Gorda Fl all the time. I seen a few no wake signs that were clearly marked in a few inlet areas. Guess I'll plan a little different in some of the inlet transition area going from the bay up rivers ect.......... signs could be to far away to read in some of those areas. At lease in a 500yard wide inlet he gave you the benefit of the doubt knowing one could miss it.

I give him 2 thumbs up for being reasonable.

 

[2kwik4u]

No just like paperwork that has all the safety equipment check and on the bottom says compliant or something, i put it in the dry box with the boat registration.

Same thing I've gotten a few times. I've been boarded after getting that in the same season. If that happens, just tell them you've already been boarded and checked this season and have the paperwork. Then produce said paperwork, they'll review it, ask a few questions, then let you go much faster.

 

[johhnyboat]

I think you can request to be boarded for a safety check and they will give you a compliance sticker. I hope that keeps them away most of the time, but I think 90% of the time they want to see if you are drunk.

 

[fatboyroy]

And just how fast was to fast...... I go through inlets in Punta Gorda Fl all the time. I seen a few no wake signs that were clearly marked in a few inlet areas. Guess I'll plan a little different in some of the inlet transition area going from the bay up rivers ect.......... signs could be to far away to read in some of those areas. At lease in a 500yard wide inlet he gave you the benefit of the doubt knowing one could miss it.

I give him 2 thumbs up for being reasonable.

coming in the inlet I was doing 20-25 I have to have speed as i need to overcome the current of outgoing tide mid-way through probably 10-12mph but they told me its a no wake (manatee zone) that I'm not aware of. But I checked the website they provided me and its clear where I can speed and where the no wake zones are. I will definitely use that through out florida, it takes away the guess work. myfwc.com search for manatee/no wake zone map in the area you want to go boating.

 

[zipper]

I think you can request to be boarded for a safety check and they will give you a compliance sticker. I hope that keeps them away most of the time, but I think 90% of the time they want to see if you are drunk.

Agree, You can contact the Coast Guard Auxiliary for a saftey check and sticker. Your State Police, if they have a marine unit, will also do it. Our marina had a sign up sheet to schedule an inspection by our State Police.

Edit: At least you were speeding with a jetboat in a manatee zone and not a prop. boat.

 

[Drift Away]

 

[Dean P]

I was boarded 2 Halloweens ago. Headed to downtown St. Pete and was the only boat out there (I think they were board). They boarded and stated it was a safety check. At the end they handed me a form saying i'm good for a year and to show this if stopped again. No sticker though...

 

[Maineiac]

Did they give you a sticker when you were in compliance? if so, put that sucker on.

We don’t give out those stickers. That’s the Auxiliary. You can contact them and schedule a dockside exam and get one of those decals if you’re interested.

 

[Jimmers]

We were stopped this weekend, just a regular compliance check. All went well, we get stopped every year, never heard of or ever received a sticker, gonna ask for one next year! I always want to ask them questions, do they give tours, how long is their hitch at this port, what’s the primo port to work at, etc. But the wife always tells me to keep my mouth shut and just answer the questions.

 

[212s]

In over 20 years of boating, only recall been stopped for inspection 3 times, all in the same summer of 2016. Might have had something to do with CFB Trenton hosting an air show for the first time since 2003 (last time too) and we were in the bay when we were stopped all 3 times.

 

[Bluewater272]

I think you can request to be boarded for a safety check and they will give you a compliance sticker. I hope that keeps them away most of the time, but I think 90% of the time they want to see if you are drunk.

You can actually request the CG Auxillary to come to your home and do a check there on the trailer. They stopped last year with COVID, not sure if its restarted yet. We usually do it every year - just some old guy that comes and looks at your stuff, talk boats for fifteen minutes, gives you a sticker and they're on their way.

 

[Ronnie]

I’ve been boarded several times and requested that the auxiliary inspect my boat several times just so I could get the sticker. The sticker may do nothing for you or it could convince the next guy not to pull you over / board your boat. I look at it like a “I donated to the police” sticker. I still have the one I got in 2012 on my boat and have not been boarded or pulled over since, coincidence? Maybe but I’m sure it doesn’t hurt.

the coast guard gives me a note / similar to a ticket whenI pass their inspection. The auxillary conducts the entire inspection before telling me I failed on something I didn’t have at the start of the inspection, like the horn (sounding device) not working or not having the proper spacing between the cf numbers and registration stickers.

many people don’t realize this but the coast guard has the broadest jurisdiction of any federal agency, all waters in the u.s. not just along it’s coast. They don’t need probable cause to stop or board you either, they can and often do justify such stops for safety reasons. Be cool with them and they should be with you. Start the “I know my rights, you can’t do this” conversation and you may bring out the hard side of that the polite coastie or worse all of them involved, especiallyif they have trainees on board.

 

[Maineiac]

many people don’t realize this but the coast guard has the broadest jurisdiction of any federal agency, all waters in the u.s. not just along it’s coast. They don’t need probable cause to stop or board you either, they can and often do justify such stops for safety reasons. Be cool with them and they should be with you. Start the “I know my rights, you can’t do this” conversation and you may bring out the hard side of that the polite coastie or worse all of them involved, especiallyif they have trainees on board.

I get this all the time. Coast Guard here? There’s no coast! lol ?‍

Technically we have jurisdiction on all navigable waterways of the US and waterways subject to the jurisdiction of the US - this includes waterways that are a state border like the Mississippi River, Lake Champlain, Lake Tahoe, etc. There’s even agreements to supplement state law enforcement so we’ve been known to patrol Lake of the Ozarks from time to time.

 

[Babin Farms]

I get this all the time. Coast Guard here? There’s no coast! lol ?‍

Technically we have jurisdiction on all navigable waterways of the US and waterways subject to the jurisdiction of the US - this includes waterways that are a state border like the Mississippi River, Lake Champlain, Lake Tahoe, etc. There’s even agreements to supplement state law enforcement so we’ve been known to patrol Lake of the Ozarks from time to time.

So where are you patrolling at in Iowa??