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I'm currently having a problem with a home owner near where my boat is anchored. I've been told to "move along or else". When I informed the individual of my right to stay anchored, I was told that he would handle this the old fashioned way. I spend about 4-5 days away and during this 3 times in the last month, I have returned to a boat covered in chum and hundreds of bait fish.
I have a great spot, protected and close to everything. 5-6 feet of draft. One bridge "US 1" away from the Inlet. The only thing that I can think of is if more cruisers atleast stopping for a night or more. This guy might be a little more relunctant to destroy my boat while I'm gone. Anyone that would like to help, I offer a free 12 pack of your choice on arrival and if I'm available, guided directions to a great spot.
If you have google maps:
Jupiter Inlet head south from Federal highway bridge. Before Indiantown Bridge, right into a small channel turning before the boat ramp on your left side. Once in the channel turn right into a open lake formed by mangrove island on the east and houses and businesses west and south. Google maps will not show my boat, but you will see it in person. 5+ draft only take the channel at high tide staying to the left entering the channel.
If you are interested in a nice spot and helping me out email me and I can send photos and aerial photos (google) with directions if I'm not home to help in person.
If your boat is being vandalized, the local authorities should be interested. And if you have grounds to suspect a certain person, they should be interested in that too. Perhaps an officer showing up on his doorstep and asking a few questions might encourage him to reflect on his behavior.
I hate to say this, but you're in a no-win situation. Right and wrong have very little to do with things such as this. It's basically a case of who will give in first.
What you could do, if possible, is get someone to come out to your boat (pick them up when you can't be seen), then have them leave in the morning, making it look like you have left. Then wait with a camcorder or camera until they show up and start sliming the boat. Of course, that could very easily turn ugly.
I think that getting photographic or video proof of what is going on is your best recourse... You need to document what happens very thoroughly, and then once you have video or photographic proof....talk to the authorities and a lawyer... Even if you only catch him doing it once on video or camera, it won't be a big leap for the authorities and your lawyer to figure out all the times you boat has been vandalized were caused by the same person.
Jim is right, that the authorities should be interested...but without video or photographic proof... it is just your word against the owners.
BTW, a person would be better, but you can also get some small webcams that you can setup to trigger on a time lapse or motion.
I've had the police called and sent to his house twice. It's all about word vs. word. Thanks for all the input. The cameras look like it's worth a shot.
1/2" ball bearings and that beastie cam posted a photo of are a great combination... What's more fun is firing 1/2" ice cubes out of it... the projectiles melt after impact... One of my friends from college used to make frozen mercury pellets for her slingshot...but that seriously hazardous... Have good range and do a fair amount of damage though.
Just had the police out again to document the damage. I guess they are actually going to start an investigation. While I took the boat to a dock so that the ppolice could inspect it, the ass cut my mooring lines and float. He was a little pissed when I just parked the boat and used a hook anchor from the dingy to bring up the chain from the bottom and secure my sailboat again. He was inspecting my activity from his balcony while I wished him a Merry Chirstmas. This of course started a swear and curse festival from him. This guy is a Lawyer, don't they have to follow the law as well? It seems that he is risking alot just to get a boat off of "his water"?
I'd imagine that behavior like this is likely to get him dis-barred. Lawyers are supposed to act ethically and within the bounds of the law. You have a legal right to be anchored where you are... and he's breaking the law vandalizing your boat and cutting your mooring/anchoring equipment.
BTW, the jack@$$ sounds as bad as the one that was suing a drycleaner for $8,000,000 for losing a pair of pants. Yes, the idiot who did that was not only a lawyer, but at the time a sitting judge. He's been disbarred since IIRC.
Do not be too surprised.
Typically, the ethics committee of the bar assoc is made up of... you guessed it lawyers.
In texas, theres 15 members, 5 perm, 5 ad-hoc, and 5 "members of the community" (read 3 lawyers and 2 that are tied by the groin to lawyers)
The Commission for Lawyer Discipline, is made up of 12 members, six attorneys appointed by the President of the State Bar and six public members appointed by the Supreme Court of Texas, all can be (and currently are) barristers.
It also might be worth talking to the local media... it always amazes me how much power the local TV station has over things like this.... Of course, I'm a bit spoiled, since I know a lot of journalists and can pretty much get camera time if I want it.
I would be willing to make a small wager that nothing good will come of this
many cops don't care about petty crime as long as nobody gets hurt and the bar assoc will have a good laugh at your expense. then you'll get sued for making 'false claims'.
I would be willing to make a small wager that nothing good will come of this
many cops don't care about petty crime as long as nobody gets hurt and the bar assoc will have a good laugh at your expense. then you'll get sued for making 'false claims'.
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