ICW, Water Police

[endoftheroad]

Is anyone making the ICW trek without any interactions with the water police?

Can you expect to get boarded or questioned several times in a 4 week ICW voyage?


Thanks

[Inkwell]

All depends on USCG training schedules in various districts. Local sheriff or marine patrol may stop you for speeding in a no wake zone, one never knows. So far only USCG will stop you for no reason in my area.

[Reality Check]

Why are you worried about it?

[motion30]

I just arrived in hollywood fl tonite from the chesapeake bay 20 days in all Rarely saw a cop and never stopped Of course it is rather late in the season
Last spring on my way north was stopped by a local cop and they checked the y valve on my holding tank

[endoftheroad]

Originally Posted by Reality Check

Why are you worried about it?

Because I recently got stopped here 3 times in one week on my dink.

My dink is a clean inflatable, everything is legal, well organized etc.

I guess I am just a bit "shell shocked" and am considering an 800 or so mile trek on the ditch.

[mrohr]

Originally Posted by Reality Check

Why are you worried about it?

Because its all one step closer to the abyss of facism.

[Christian Van H]

Originally Posted by mrohr

Because its all one step closer to the abyss of facism.

Awesome as conspiracy theories go...but it's really just one step closer to bored water police...

[onestepcsy37]

and be sure to use your anchor light. got a ticket in daytona beach for not having it on. my fault, i knew it was not a designated anchorage but nobody else had one on either so...

so we all got tickets.

otherwise no hassles except speeding in manatee zones.

[stevensc]

I left Annapolis Nov 08 and arrived Houma Louisiana Feb 09. I was boarded for inspection by the USCG in Pensacola Fl. The only stop along the way and then by courteous and proffesional young men.
I did see many boats that I wished would be stopped!
Steve

[JusDreaming]

I was boarded by CG north of Brunswick, Ga, they were extremely courteous, and then there is the "potty police" in Daytona area always checking for Y-Valves

[FSMike]

You're probably more likely to be stopped in the dinghy than
on the big boat.

[Chief Engineer]

They gotta show on their daily report what they did.

Easier to check the head on a dinghy than on a big boat

[Lostmt]

My 6'6" dinghy aint got no head. You guys must have ships for dinghies for the cops to want to check the head.

[forsailbyowner]

Two boardings in last year one outside key west one intracoastal near Jax. One pulled up didn't board after being shown white boarding inspection report near charleston.

[sailvayu]

I think they stop you in the dink because they get more violations. I am in NC also and never get stopped in my boat but the freakin wildlife guys seem to target me in the dinghy. I would not worry too much running the waterway as I do not think I have ever just been stopped. Maybe they will cruise by while anchored and chat, guess just to get a feel for what you are up to. Only time I have ever been boarded was years ago when the coast guard assisted me. So I would say just make sure your safety gear is in order, Y valve closed while on the ICW and have a great trip. no worries

Fair Winds