Any Legitimate Reason for FWC to...

[a64pilot]

I just think we are way over policed, and what do most of the police do? They police our driving and boating activities. Why, because that is where the revenue is.
But this whole CBP / Homeland security thing is all out of proportion to the threat. There is no need for them to have all this military hardware.
In the US, you can't drive 5 min without seeing a cop, I don't think I saw ten Polizei in two years I lived in Germany, except for the airport, they were astonishingly absent.

[a64pilot]

There is NO excuse to be running at night lights out, none.
If the need exists to be covert, you get a boat that isn't marked FWC, if unmarked FWC boats don't exist, it's because the powers that be decided that the FWC has no need to be covert.

[a64pilot]

I've posted this before, but does the FWC really have any real need for this?
http://www.derecktor.com/2010/08/10/...o-the-fwc-810/

[hellosailor]

"Uscg doesnt handle accidents or collisions."

So you pick up the radio and hail "Any USCG vessel, I have just been struck by an unlit fast boat carrying armed men and require assistance. My position is..."

Sit back, put your feet up, wait for the show to begin. Buy a couple of dashcams, sell the video too.

[ontherocks83]

What about calling in a PAN PAN and report them as being a navigationaol hazard every night you see them playing super secret commando wannabe's with no lights on? You would think after several nights some official would want to put a stop to all the alerts going out about their cops.

[hpeer]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I've posted this before, but does the FWC really have any real need for this?
http://www.derecktor.com/2010/08/10/...o-the-fwc-810/

This inhabits our canal at times....

powered by three 300-hp Verado outboard engines.

Delaware State Police Start Maritime Unit with 2 Vessels - News - POLICE Magazine

[rwidman]

I see a rant followed by several more rants, but two responses are worthy of consideration:

1) Call the USCG on VHF Channel 16 and report an unidentified boat running without proper lights. Report the position. Chances are they will do nothing but they are obligated to answer your call.

2) Issue a general warning to all boaters about an unidentified boat running without proper lights. Report the position.

I'll add my own suggestion - Call the FWC on VHF channel 16 and report an unidentified boat running without proper lights.

Do any or all of these things every time you observe a similar boat.

[smj]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I see a rant followed by several more rants, but two responses are worthy of consideration:

1) Call the USCG on VHF Channel 16 and report an unidentified boat running without proper lights. Report the position. Chances are they will do nothing but they are obligated to answer your call.

2) Issue a general warning to all boaters about an unidentified boat running without proper lights. Report the position.

I'll add my own suggestion - Call the FWC on VHF channel 16 and report an unidentified boat running without proper lights.

Do any or all of these things every time you observe a similar boat.

If you can get FWC to answer your call on channel 16 you're a better man than I!


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[avb3]

Originally Posted by a64pilot

I've posted this before, but does the FWC really have any real need for this?
http://www.derecktor.com/2010/08/10/...o-the-fwc-810/

Why would they be up to 200 miles out in the Gulf? Is there any scenario that they have jurisdiction there?

[capt-couillon]

Thin Line a CF member, had (through lots of hard work) a positive outcome regarding FWC operating in a "less than professional" manner in Boot Key harbor last winter. A PM to him may net you some contact information for the local FWC senior officers who, have instituted an "open door" policy about problems.

I believe (but not sure) that FWC Capt Dupree is the OIC in the lower keys, out of Marathon Field Office?

Marathon Field Office
2796 Overseas Highway #100
Marathon, FL 33050

You can also file a complaint with the FL State Inspector General's office, but
personally I would start with the local OIC. The "grouper troopers" who operate more independently than most LEOs sometimes get carried away. Better to let their senior officer deal with "training issues", than sic the IG on em right from the start. An adversarial relationship with any LEO is usually gonna be a lose, lose in the long run. At least if you live there full time.

That being said, here is the link (via FWC pages) to the IG complaint form
Report Employee Misconduct

A light side (no pun intended) to blacked out LEO boats... My buddies cruising back from Panama were running through the Florida Straits at 2 or 3 in the am. Like most cruisers they were running a trolling rig off the pushpit, and the reel went off.. smokin' Just before it stripped the spool it went slack. When they reeled in, they had hooked a USCG inflatable sneak boat right through the bow chamber. Black camo face paint, M-16s the whole bit. Coasties were so embarrassed they just asked permission to come along side to make repairs, and when they were done... split. No boarding No documents, No nothin...

[Hudson Force]

I've been consistently boating in Florida waters since 1956 when I was nine years old and learning to sail in Fort Lauderdale. Over the ensueing 58 years I've recieved some inspections, some cautions and one citation. During this time the FWC officers I've encountered have always been reasonable and professional. This reminds me of complaints about the food in the school cafeteria. Reality doesn't matter, but the complaint is great sport!

[rwidman]

Originally Posted by smj

If you can get FWC to answer your call on channel 16 you're a better man than I!


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Yes, but everyone else will hear it. And they will note if you are reporting a hazard and FWC doesn't respond.

My point is, pretend you don't know it's a LEO boat.

[Coops]

Originally Posted by Hudson Force

I've been consistently boating in Florida waters since 1956 when I was nine years old and learning to sail in Fort Lauderdale. Over the ensueing 58 years I've recieved some inspections, some cautions and one citation. During this time the FWC officers I've encountered have always been reasonable and professional. This reminds me of complaints about the food in the school cafeteria. Reality doesn't matter, but the complaint is great sport!

"If there is an opportunity to complain, they will find a reason". Another quote that I heard once, or maybe a lot.

Coops.

[Arthur Garfield]

Hudson Force,

What reality are you referring to?

FWC unlit are a dangerous navigational hazard.
Additionally,I can't imagine you so niave to think drug runners/pirates don't know they're there?

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by Arthur Garfield

Hudson Force,

What reality are you referring to?

FWC unlit are a dangerous navigational hazard.
Additionally,I can't imagine you so niave to think drug runners/pirates don't know they're there?

I am simply reporting my actual observations. I made no reference to the hazards of any unlit vessels or how knowledgeable the drug runners or pirates!