Vessel Boarding

[glasply1]

Believe me, I too am for security for the USA. But, what I don't understand is why your home and your vehicle cannot be entered by law enforcement personnel without probable cause, but your boat can be boarded at least by the Coast Guard and maybe by local law enforcement without cause. For some folks, their boat is also their home, but it can still be boarded without probable cause.<br />Being in an area near an international border would provide more of an excuse than elsewhere, but where does the right to board at will come from? Is it constitutional?

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Here is were they get the ability/right to board without a warrent;<br /><br />LII / Legal Information Institute<br /><br />U.S. Code collection<br /> <br />TITLE 14 > PART I > CHAPTER 1 > § 2 Prev | Next <br /><br />§ 2. Primary duties<br /><br />Release date: 2005-07-21 <br /><br />The Coast Guard shall enforce or assist in the enforcement of all applicable Federal laws on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; shall engage in maritime air surveillance or interdiction to enforce or assist in the enforcement of the laws of the United States; shall administer laws and promulgate and enforce regulations for the promotion of safety of life and property on and under the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States covering all matters not specifically delegated by law to some other executive department; shall develop, establish, maintain, and operate, with due regard to the requirements of national defense, aids to maritime navigation, ice-breaking facilities, and rescue facilities for the promotion of safety on, under, and over the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; shall, pursuant to international agreements, develop, establish, maintain, and operate icebreaking facilities on, under, and over waters other than the high seas and waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; shall engage in oceanographic research of the high seas and in waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States; and shall maintain a state of readiness to function as a specialized service in the Navy in time of war, including the fulfillment of Maritime Defense Zone command responsibilities..[1] <br /><br /><br />--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Drowned Rat]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Glasply. It goes all the way back to when the Coast Guard was created in 1790. It was originally in the U.S. Treasury Dept. and was called the Revenue Marine. It was tasked with boarding trade vessels and passenger vessels to enforce trade law and to "Search" for contraband. After the Civil War, the Revenue Marine enforced the ban on the slave trade.<br /><br />In 1915 the Revenue Marine merged with the Lifesaving Service to form the U.S. Coast Guard. And doubled their mission profile. <br /><br />Coast Guard boarding officers are U.S. Customs officers as well and they have the same jurisdiction which includes boarding without cause. This applies to not only international waters but also interstate waters such as the Great Lakes, Lake Tahoe, Mississippi River, etc... The Coast Guard has the broadest jurisdiction and enforcement power of any law enforcement agency in the country.

 

[solidwaste]

Re: Vessel Boarding

And from my experience they are the most professional law enforcment agency out there..They have a very broad sword and rearly do they use it..<br />Also life on the water is so much more dagerous than on land..Or at least the possibility for more catastrofic danger is there..If you get a flat in youre truck youre chances of drowning are very slim..you get what I mean..And these men and women have to put there own life on the line to save us when were in trouble..So I think they have every right to board a vessel to make sure the laws incl safety laws are beeing followed cause it there life that is needlessly placed in harms way when irresponceable boaters dont have the proper equimp..Sorry Im not lecturing I just have seen them save so many lives I truly admire them and what they do..

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Vessel Boarding

I got boarded by them coming out of the Ballard locks in October for absolutely no reason....<br />Everything was in order....<br />It made me feel very umcomfortable & wasted my time......<br />They obviously had nothing better to do!....JK

 

[glasply1]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Like I said above, if the boater gives them any probable cause to board you its understandable and acceptable. If they want to give safety checks, do it at the launch ramp or in the marina. Otherwise, leave me alone if I'm not breaking the law or causing some sort of hazard. I go out on the water for enjoyment, not to be harassed.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Exactly....I never got past the "No Wake" buoy...<br />Was by myself....<br />IMHO, when they saw I had no alchohol aboard, (or guns) they should have shoved off...JK

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Historically I have seen very little of the Coast Guard. However, my neighbor was in the CG for a while, but got out because they "Spent all their time hasseling people, for no reason". Also, I was flounder fishing with my other neighbor, anchored in the center of a pod of boats, when we were boarded by the CG, and inspected. The boat I was on was much larger(35') than any other boat in the fleet, was this the reason why only our boat was boarded?<br /><br />The Marine Police (State and municipal), on the other hand are far too interested in boarding/inspecting and other activities, for no reason. Many years ago, I almost got a ticket for not having a water ski flag on the boat. They had passed an ordance two days earlier requiring one, although the flags were not available in stores, and they had not publicized the requirement to the public.<br /><br />In addition, my town has a brand new Police Boat that is used to patrol lagoons on the weekends. What "lagoon lawbreaking" are they hoping to deter? Kids in rafts and paddleboats making a wake?? They might patrol the bay and open water areas, where accidents can and do occur. They could lend some assistance there...<br /><br />Sorry to rant

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: Vessel Boarding

In addition, my town has a brand new Police Boat that is used to patrol lagoons on the weekends. What "lagoon lawbreaking" are they hoping to deter? Kids in rafts and paddleboats making a wake?? They might patrol the bay and open water areas, where accidents can and do occur. They could lend some assistance there...<br /><br />

That's because N.J. is all about the money....<br />You can't fart on Barnegat Bay with out a S.P. boat on ya... <br />It was alot more fun 20 years ago.... <br />The locals are just looking to boost revenue, they need to patrol them lagoons for $$$...<br />Big money in BWI & other boating infractions... <br />I can't ever remember seeing a Coast Guard boat patrolling (or stopping), except near Barnegat & Manasquan Inlets on Memorial day, the 4th, & Labor Day..... <br />Your rant is justified.... ..JK

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: Vessel Boarding

I was going to start a thread, then saw this one....here is my "rant". Skip it if you wish.<br />Boardings by the coast guard and "local law enforcement" is going up and up. It used to be, that you had to do something wrong or at least do something to make you stand out to get stopped or boarded. That is no-longer. And it is time for boaters to say enough is enough.<br />Let's face it, we are a minority, the majority of people do not care about what life on the water has become. If we do not stand together, no-one will come to our rescue. Our rights and freedoms are being erroded and no-one seams to care. The old idea that we love the coast guard and whatever they want to do to us is ok, is....well, old-fashiond. They are no longer just protecting us, they are harrassing us. IF, you were driving to work, and a police officer stopped you, entered your car, checked every nook and cranny including your safety belt and air bags then opened your trunk and checked your spare tire and jack then said....have a good day, I was doing a safety inspection....I can guarrantee most people would be outraged and the ACLU would get involved. Why is the search of your boat any different ? Yes, there are laws dating back hundreds of years giving them the right to do this, then again, slavery was legal a hundred years ago....was that a great idea?<br /><br />Money and manpower have been increased....again which translates to more boardings and more harrassment of law-abiding citizens.<br /><br />Think of it this way, you can drive a car at 60 MPH just inches from a car doing the same speed going in the other direction, seperated by only two yellow lines painted on the road, yet no-one is pulling you over to check your tires, brakes, front-end alignment, etc.<br /><br />Yet, you, your wife and children are on the boat, minding your own business, not plowing through a no-wake zone or driving like an idiot, and a boat puts on the blue lights, ties off and boards you. You have to show your "papers" they can look anywhere they want to on the boat and keep you as long as they want to, yet you have not been charged with any crime, nor have you provided any "just cause". From what I hear, the same thing is happening to boats that are docked, in a marina, on private property.<br />If you love the coast guard and feel they can do no wrong....I'm happy for you. I have never been boarded, or ticketed, nor has my house ever been searched......but I am really upset to know that it can happen at any time, without me doing anything wrong. Does this sound like America ?

 

[dancerscap]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Waterone 1:Where have you been hiding? Drive down any interstate, state or local highway and observe the traffic stops. ALL POLICE are searching cars that are stopped for absolutely no reason. The contents of the passenger compartments, glove boxes, consoles and trunks are being disgorged onto the side of the highway and then if nothing is fouynd or planted the occupants are told to have a good day and left with their possessions scattered about. Notice also that you NEVER seea traffic stop with only one police car, they call in the whole watch because they are afraid. They are afraid that the motoring public is going to treat them with the same disrespect that motorists are and have been receiving. Maybe it's about time their fears were justified. Just my rant and $0.02 worth. By the way i truck 48 states to the tune of about 170,000 miles a year and it's everywhere.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Vessel Boarding

I never let the cops look through my stuff. Whenever they ask I say "no, thank you."

 

[SwampNut]

Re: Vessel Boarding

ALL POLICE are searching cars that are stopped for absolutely no reason.

Just tell them no. If you consent to search, you're part of the problem.

 

[Terry Olson]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Here we go again - and I see nearly all of "the usual suspects" have weighed in yet again with their anti-government paranoia. No doubt "they" follow you guys with the black helicopters and satelites everywhere you go. They're listening to your phone calls and monitoring your internet activities too. <br /><br />Do you guys wear your foil hats at home too, or just when you leave the family compound?<br /><br />You guys are unbelievable.

 

[imported_Curmudgeon]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Just because one is paranoid doesn't mean someone isn't watching!

 

[Capt. Duug]

Re: Vessel Boarding

In general I Welcome the Coast Guard and assist them any way I can. In particular 3 times in 1 day is enough...<boating in Miami>

 

[sailsmanship]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Don't have a problem, but sometimes a little ridiculous.. A summer weekend last year on the Maumee river in Toledo Ohio, a mile stretch between two no wake zones, river no wider the 1-1/2 lake freighters had (2) Coast Guard boats, (1) Sherrif Department boat, (1) City of Toledo Patrol boat and (2) City of Toledo jet skis patrolling. Overkill???? Quite possible...

 

[Speedwagon]

Re: Vessel Boarding

Originally posted by dancerscap:<br /> Waterone 1:Where have you been hiding? Drive down any interstate, state or local highway and observe the traffic stops. ALL POLICE are searching cars that are stopped for absolutely no reason. The contents of the passenger compartments, glove boxes, consoles and trunks are being disgorged onto the side of the highway and then if nothing is fouynd or planted the occupants are told to have a good day and left with their possessions scattered about. Notice also that you NEVER seea traffic stop with only one police car, they call in the whole watch because they are afraid. They are afraid that the motoring public is going to treat them with the same disrespect that motorists are and have been receiving. Maybe it's about time their fears were justified. Just my rant and $0.02 worth. By the way i truck 48 states to the tune of about 170,000 miles a year and it's everywhere.

Can't say I've seen a search in progress, but I have driven past(on more than one occasion) a single vehicle that was stopped, with 3+ squad cars around/behind it. I can understand having 2 cruisers there, but when you get into 3+, and there are ONLY 1-2 people in the stopped vehicle, I wonder what my tax dollars are doing.<br /><br />And I see no reason for boarding a vessel, just because. Unless they are going to hand out a gift certificate for you time/trouble, they need to stay the hell off my boat. <br /><br />Percentage wise, I think(though I don't know) boats are safer than cars. It really isn't easy to sink a boat in an instant, like it is to drive a car into a tree. But then, if you are driving your boat into a tree, you have bigger problems.

 

[RubberFrog]

Re: Vessel Boarding

The coast guard sucks. There, I said it. And I wish they would stay the he11 off my boat!

 

[PuckHog]

Re: Vessel Boarding

To paraphrase Ben Franklin-'Any society willing to sacrifice some liberty to gain some security deserves neither and will lose both'<br /> It's all well and fine to ignore the trampling of basic freedoms under the auspices of the good of the whole, until you suddenly discover (by no fault of your own) you are no longer part of the whole and then it's too late.