We have been sailing for 20+ years from Tampa Bay area to Bahamas , Chesapeake Bay, and New England. We were boarded our first time last year while taking a day sail on Tampa Bay. Coasties were courteous and friendly and we learned a new lesson. When we pulled out our Plastimo life preservers (came with our boat) they told us they weren't legal because they didn't have a CG approved label. They were CE approved for Europe, but apparently there is no reciprocity. I jokingly asked the Coastie if we were to sink on the way home whether we should put on the life preservers anyway. He thought that would be a good idea. We got a warning but no citation. I forgot we had two legal LPs in the dink so we could have "beat the rap" if I had used my head a little more.
The Coasties then boarded a 40' monohull near us and spent a long time on board. Next the local sheriff's boat rafted up to the monohull and proceeded to put the captain in handcuffs and leg irons and haul him away. I suspect the captain had an outstanding arrest warrant and they discovered this during ID check...OR...maybe his flares were out of date...who knows?
