Do you pass up dead bodys and leave them stay?

[Crimea Cruiser]

My sister-in-law was stationed at Governor's Island, NYC. Her assigned duty was "gaffer"!!! She gaffed up to 2 dozen a week when conditions were optimal! No bait was required, but occasionally a net was used when the gaff would not hold. No fish story! Besides standard ops of lifevest, she was assigned gasmask too. This was before days of serious gov't investment in HazMat teams and equipment.

Even had one wash up in Barnegat Light next to lighthouse one day when tide came in. Wouldn't want to have even gaffed that one. Sure put off everyone fishing off the jetty for that day!!

[S/V Alchemy]

All I know is that police divers know that bodies that sink in the fall have slow enough decomp in cold water to not rise again until the spring. One told me "between launch and work, I don't get a break from late March until June 1".

[barnakiel]

We have seen bodies but only in harbours, marinas, etc.

I think if you sail close to India ten perhaps you have better chances of seeing a body in the open waters (unless their sharks get there first).

b.

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by jwbuckner

Depends on the country in US coastal water call 911, at sea check maybe not dead, on coasts of central and south America get away from there as fast as you can and don't look back. never bring a body into port is latin america, if they die on board bury them at sea or take back to US, never enta port with dead body south of the border.

Since it isn't in Central or South America, but it is south of the border, was your omission of Mexico intentional or accidental?

TaoJones

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by S/V Alchemy

All I know is that police divers know that bodies that sink in the fall have slow enough decomp in cold water to not rise again until the spring. One told me "between launch and work, I don't get a break from late March until June 1".

I heard that too. The area on the south east side of the Manhattan Bridge in New York's East River is known to the NYPD as the swimming hole because a lot of the bodies seem to end up in that area when they float up.
Happily, when I was living on board in the city for six years and now when transiting through the area I have not come across any bodies. Did see a floating dead Pig once though.

[Teknav]

...the poor pig...it wanted to fly so badly... Mauritz

[mbianka]

Originally Posted by Teknav

...the poor pig...it wanted to fly so badly... Mauritz

Well it sure surprised me because pigs can swim pretty good:
THE BIANKA LOG BLOG: CAPT. MIKE IN THE EXUMAS DAY 4: SWIMMING PIGS AND WIND TURBINES

[David M]

Working near the Golden Gate Bridge frequently, I see what happens. The Coast Guard prefers that you stay near the body so they can find it but don't touch it until they get there to take over. Notify them on a cell phone if you have that option.

In foreign waters I would probably leave it alone. Bringing it onboard you risk disease and being accused of being the murderer. In some countries like Mexico you are assumed guilty until proven innocent and who wants to end up in a Mexican prison for doing what you thought was a good deed.

I know that sounds callous but you have to protect yourself against primitive justice systems that might throw the book at you.

[onestepcsy37]

i check the body for rolex watch, jewelry, cash, credit cards. then push off....

[scoobert]

Originally Posted by onestepcsy37

i check the body for rolex watch, jewelry, cash, credit cards. then push off....

thats the only way i will ever own a yachtmaster 2 ....

[Teknav]

..."In foreign waters I would probably leave it alone. Bringing it onboard you risk disease and being accused of being the murderer. In some countries like Mexico you are assumed guilty until proven innocent and who wants to end up in a Mexican prison for doing what you thought was a good deed.

I know that sounds callous but you have to protect yourself against primitive justice systems that might throw the book at you."
__________________
David

Third World countries are notorious with the way they deal out justice. Mauritz

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by David M

In some countries like Mexico you are assumed guilty until proven innocent and who wants to end up in a Mexican prison for doing what you thought was a good deed.

I know that sounds callous but you have to protect yourself against primitive justice systems that might throw the book at you.

I wouldn't call it callous, David - it's diametrically opposed to what most of us grow up believing. But your use of the modifier "primitive" for the Napoleonic Code (the basis of Mexico's system of justice) is, perhaps, unwarranted. See:

Napoleonic Code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The "guilty until proven innocent" part is hard to accept, of course, but as a system of justice the Napoleonic Code of 1804 was truly enlightened compared to what had typically occurred previously.

Then, too, who among us is naive enough to actually believe that in the American system of justice (based on English common law) all those who come to the attention of law enforcement authorities are really "innocent until proven guilty?"


TaoJones

[TaoJones]

Originally Posted by Teknav

Third World countries are notorious with the way they deal out justice. Mauritz

The same could be said for the "great" state of Texas.

TaoJones

[Rakuflames]

Originally Posted by TaoJones

I wouldn't call it callous, David - it's diametrically opposed to what most of us grow up believing. But your use of the modifier "primitive" for the Napoleonic Code (the basis of Mexico's system of justice) is, perhaps, unwarranted. See:

Napoleonic Code - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The "guilty until proven innocent" part is hard to accept, of course, but as a system of justice the Napoleonic Code of 1804 was truly enlightened compared to what had typically occurred previously.

Then, too, who among us is naive enough to actually believe that in the American system of justice (based on English common law) all those who come to the attention of law enforcement authorities are really "innocent until proven guilty?"


TaoJones

Actually, yeah, that's what our system of laws state. I would argue that the trial of OJ Simpson for murder proves the concept.

[jwbuckner]

I have less experience in Mexico but I suspect the same problem, partially caused by their Napoleonic (Civil) law instead of US common law, assuming foul play and guilty until proven innocent , and how will you prove yourself innocent?

Originally Posted by TaoJones

Since it isn't in Central or South America, but it is south of the border, was your omission of Mexico intentional or accidental?

TaoJones