How often are you stopped/boarded by law enforcement while cruising?

[Buddycleatus]

Just curious how often you are stopped while cruising the ICW or other areas? We get stopped about once a year on the lake we sail on.

[EalyPA21]

never until now...

[PBzeer]

I've been stopped once, when leaving St Simons Island. They told me they were conducting training exercises.

[CharlieCobra]

Just once for me. Nice visit and a $50 fine for not displaying state reg, though it was on a documented boat. Got it tossed.

[Faster]

Once in 30 years.... and probably the first and only time we actually didn't have enough lifejackets on board... got let off with a warning!

[WDS123]

Only Once ever - when 4 of us tried to go outside in the open sea in a Naples Sabot - I may have been 11 years old

[centaursailor]

Once by Dublin Harbour Police, warned about cutting in front of a incoming large ship.
They came out to warn off a sail boat that was tacking in and out in the fairway.
I felt it was a bit officious when the rozzer came alongside me after I crossed directly and mentioned engine failure as a potential hazard crossing the channel. He wasn,t happy when I pointed to my main which I had sheeted in tight while crossing against a head wind.
Safe sailing

[pdqaltair]

Originally Posted by centaursailor

I felt it was a bit officious when the rozzer came alongside me after I crossed directly and mentioned engine failure as a potential hazard crossing the channel. He wasn,t happy when I pointed to my main which I had sheeted in tight while crossing against a head wind.
Safe sailing

Actually, have you never heard of wind-failure? A serious accident (freighter grounded hard at speed in a successfull effort to avoid killing the sailors) was caused by a sailor using that logic in the Clhesapeake, near Baltimore. Crossing even slightly close in front of large trafic is not wise. You were perhaps smart with the officer, not wise.

I've been stopped about every 2-4 years:
- My daughter operating a dingy. They were checking for operating permits, which she had.
- Fish and game many times. Checking bag limits.
- Random safety check once. Warned me that my flares were only a few day from expried, which was a good reminder.
- Once for getting to near a firing range. GOT to remember to keep 16 on near firing ranges!

[TQA]

In nine years as a FT liveaboard including a trip up the ICW from Miami to the Chesapeake and back I have zero stops. A couple of times in the French islands I have been approached by the customs/coastguards and asked about my clearances but never boarded

[apogee1mars]

Six times in forty-five years. All were quick inspections, no citations issued.