Survey: Frequency of USCG Boardings

[donradcliffe]

I just got boarded for the first time in 30 years in Newport (RI) harbor. It was early on a Saturday morning, and there were two CG boats looking for boarding practice and I was practically the only one in sight. They were very polite, relaxed (maybe its because most terrorists and smugglers are retired by my age), and gave me a clean bill of health.

The last boarding was in the 70's when we dismasted an Olson 30 about 30 miles off San Nicholas Island--we rigged the boom up as a stub mast and put up the staysail sideways, which got us to about 15 miles off Marina Del Rey when the wind died. The Coasties towed us in and boarded us when we got to the dock--again, they were real nice about the inspection, and found no problems.

After hearing the number of sailors they rescued offshore this week, I'm really happy they are out there.

[coot]

Originally Posted by Amfivena

I
One day I was talking to a locally stationed Coastie at a bar and mentioned that I had never been stopped. He said, "Do you have a sail boat?" Apparently they have a policy here of never bothering with sail boats - especially the older ones.

I was boarded once in Baltimore a few years ago. One of them made an offhand comment to the effect that "We hardly ever board sailboats for safety inspections because they always have everything".

We were the only boat for miles around, so they boarded us. Of course, we had everything on the checklist.

[Little Otter]

Me and my friends have actually been boarded for something about that we looked like we had stolen the boat and that was why we were going so fast ( appearently he didn't notice that it was a hobie 20 racer), the other time me and another friend were boarded for something about being a hazard to the sunbathers for pulling his hobie 20 onto the beach near a resturant to grab some lunch and make it back to the truck before dark. and yes I know that it was stupid and that hobie 20s dont really have a cabin or deck to board, which is what made it so unbeleiveable.

[nautical62]

Never been boarded, but one time when traveling down the ICW in the Fort Lauderdale area, we were told we both had to stay in the cockpit with hands in clear view, maintain 6 knots, and not swerve. A gunboat escorted us a couple of miles. Apparently there were dignitaries in town.

[Trim50]

Been boating for 20+ years in So-Cal. Boarded once on my first boat and once on my second boat. The second boarding was the day after leaving the shipyard with a new LP paint job. The CG did not care that I wanted them to approach without scratching my hull. We had words and the 19 year kids with weapons spent an hour going through every inch of my vessel to only site me for not having a trash disposal plan.

[ssullivan]

The "Marine Patrol" boardings seem to have gone through the roof lately!

I see boat after boat after boat "pulled over" everywhere I go, and all the way up the East Coast.

It's sick because those guys aren't even doing anything more than handing out tickets where they can. They're saving no lives, securing nothing and generally seem like waterborne tax collectors, ambushing people along the channel.

I got ambushed myself in FL as I was leaving.

[exfishnz]

Originally Posted by Trim50

The second boarding was the day after leaving the shipyard with a new LP paint job. The CG did not care that I wanted them to approach without scratching my hull.

This is one of the reasons I'm going with no faring & flat paint (no gloss, polish etc). It may not be the prettiest but if it gets scratched then I'm not gonna get too upset about it.

Re: boardings (not in the US, but in general), IMHO, I'm just gonna smile, offer them a cuppa (tea, coffee & chocolate biscuits) & let 'em do their job, the friendly you are, the quicker they get it done

It kinda funny, on a touristy trip up your way a few years ago, I pulled into a servo & had a very friendly chat with a local cop (spoke about downunder etc) whom was also getting gas, the local chick in my hired camaro convertible was really amazed (I think she thought I was gonna get arrested or something) that I even spoke to one of your local coppers Downunder, when in the city, I ask the local copper's for direction's to the pub, they're a friendly bunch

site me for not having a trash disposal plan.

Can you explain more? What's involved in a "disposal plan" (other than dumping the trash in marina bin?)

[Hud3]

Originally Posted by exfishnz

...Can you explain more? What's involved in a "disposal plan" (other than dumping the trash in marina bin?)

Courtesy of BoatUS: RegulationsGarbage All boaters are required to dispose of garbage and waste properly. If your boat is 26 feet long or longer, you must have a Pollution Placard and a Trash Placard. If more than 40 feet in length, you need a written garbage disposal plan. This can be as simple as a posted letter saying that you collect the garbage on board and take it ashore for appropriate disposal. Although this may seem excessive, it does have roots in serious attempts at maritime pollution abatement.

The placard must be permanently affixed in a prominent place, it must be made of a durable material, and it must be at least four by nine inches in size.

[exfishnz]

Thanks Hud,

I assume that the “trash placard” would only apply to US flagged vessels? I also assume that visiting (foreign flagged) yachties would only need to comply with waste water/sewage disposal laws? Oh, & obviously not throw junk over the side

[Hud3]

Good, question, ExF, and I don't know the answer.

Your question applies to other USCG requirements, as well. For example, signaling devices (flares). Does a foreign-flagged vessel have to comply with the same requirements as U.S. flagged vessels? Anyone?

[exfishnz]

Hud3,

Given I want to also visit Alaska, my current plan of attack is to:

1. lookup the USCG/customs www & search for any info on foreign flag yachties
2. ask at the US embassy prior to arrival
3. ask US customs upon arrival

If I end up there & there's all this extra requirement stuff (beyond not pumping ya holding tanks & not throwing over junk etc), then I can always ask 'em to give me a day to re-fuel/re-provision & then clear outta there. Having said that, there must Canadian yachties going to the US all the time.

[w42]

Related info:

In the PNW there have been reports of increased pleasure boat inpsections. They originally went down after 9/11 presumeably while the govt was figuring out how to reorganize resources.

But again, inspections are on their way back up. And looking for more than just life jackets and locks on your OB head discharge valve!

[svHyLyte]

The following is a sample of an acceptable Trash Placard:

WASTE MANAGEMENT PLAN
for
Ship’s Name


ALL GARBAGE AND TRASH GENERATED ON THIS VESSEL WILL BE STORED ABOARD IN SEALED PLASTIC BAGS AND WILL BE PROPERLY DISPOSED OF IN DESIGNATED SHORESIDE GARBAGE DISPOSAL CONTAINERS BY THE CAPTAIN.

ALL CREWMEMBERS AND PASSENGERS HAVE BEEN ORIENTED AND BRIEFED BY THE CAPTAIN ON THE REQUIREMENTS OF MARPOL ANNEX V AND INSTRUCTED THAT UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES WILL PLASTIC WASTE OR REFUSE CONTAINING ANY PLASTIC MATERIALS BE DISCHARGED AT SEA. ALL PERSONS ABOARD HAVE BEEN SHOWN THE MARPOL V PLACARD AND ONBOARD TRASH RECEPTICALS AND HAVE BEEN BRIEFED ON THE PROPER STOWAGE AND MAINTENANCE OF REFUSE ABOARD FOR SHORESIDE DISPOSAL.

Captain’s Signature
Captain

Post in a clearly visable location in the Galley and ensure you have (a) trash recepticals in the galley and head(s); and, (b) a slightly larger receptical that can be used to hold bagged trash somewhere aboard. In our case, we use a mid-sized square plastic garbage container in the sail locker.

s/v HyLyte

[imagine2frolic]

I have been boarded twice by the U.S Coast Guard. First time they were polite, and efficient. Second time they were buffoons which gave me cause to call their commander in Miami once I was at anchor. He chewed some rears, and apologized profusely for the lack of professionalism.

I understand completely they have a job to do, but they don't have to act like Rambo. Unless of course they actually come across the bad guys!!!!!!!!!

[mangomuffins]

Boarded by everything from the Coast Guard (2 x in 30 years), State game wardens (2 x in 30 years), county sheriffs (??) and local police (??). Attitude ranges from really polite to total d*#*heads... no apparent corollary with level of gov't.
The CG experiences were one good, one bad.
State - generally poor.
County - been "checked" on Lake Travis Texas more times than I can remember...usually OK
Local - varying experiences but generally not too bad.

With all of the time and miles, I suppose my perception is that I personally haven't been "abused"... but, oh, the stories I've heard.

mm