[wannabsailor]

I have begun seeing videos and comments from other sites that more and more people are giving up sailing, and that some Marinas are going out of business in spite of local government's complaints, because NSA/Coast Guard...etc. are becoming so belligernt. I have seen some posting where people out on their boats have been stopped 4 and 5 times in one day by different agencies. It appears to be mostly along the East Coast and the Great Lakes.

What's been your ecxperience?

 

[Jim_W]

I have been stopped a few times in the Chesapeake by both the Coast Gaurd and the marine police but never had a problem. They checked my safety equipment and cooler for fish but were very professional and polite. The whole safety check only took about 5 minutes each time. I am glad they are there you never know when you will need them.

 

[RobGallagher]

I have been involved in two safety checks in 15 years.

1. Five years ago. I was taking on water and a CG RIB escorted me into Pt. Judith, even offered me a hip tow up the channel. I declined as I got things under control and could motor. The passed me in the channel and met me at the dock to help me take lines. They could not have been more professional and helpful.

2. Last year. I was in a friends inflatable, late in the season, just after dark, and we had no lights. Warning, safety inspection of the dinghy, a few questions and reminder to stay safe. Very professional. All we lost was a few minutes of our time.

 

[Barquito]

We have been sailing out of Milwaukee for 5 years. There is a CG station a few hundred yards from my mooring, many police boats out on the weekend, and the occasional military activity area when a war ship visits. Never been stopped... they chased me, but, I got away... just kidding. Feel very safe with all those guys nearby.

 

[pdqaltair]

I'm sure some areas are worse, but the mid-Atlantic is tame in my experience. If the boat looks well maintained and the first few checks are right (stickers, flares, PFDs, no-discharge plaque, lock on y-valve, operator permits for younger helmsman, don't be drunk) they are gone in 5 minutes.

I'm sure I would feel differently if they tossed the boat for dope. Just beer.

For comparison, I'm required to have a safety check on my car every year, an operators license renewal every 5 years, and emissions every other year, and those cost a few bucks (taxes and registration too, but we have those for boats too). Think how we would groan if the CG charged for a stop! Never mind, better not give them ideas.

 

[Tenoch]

...more and more people are giving up sailing, and that some Marinas are going out of business...

Are there really people who have said "man, I am so tired of the U.S. Coast Guard that I am giving up sailing!" ? Really?

I have never heard of such a thing. Out here, the C.G. just saves lives.

 

[miatapaul]

Yea, I think anyone "giving up sailing" over it seems to be over stating it. On the Hudson River we have a bunch of overlapping jurisdictions and there have been many complaints of being pulled over several times a day. Happens mostly to power boaters, and likely the more scantily clad girls on deck will bring more issues. Seems that they mostly leave us sailors alone as they have the attitude how much damage can you do at 6 knots?

They are mostly looking for drunks and that is a real problem on the river. Seems all of the recent fatalities have been alcohol related.

I have heard of one case where a sailboat was given a ticket for going to fast near a police boat, during a race no less!

 

[k7el]

NSA?? How are they interfering with your sailing and putting marinas out of business? Probably to blame for the ebola virus as well. Anything the NSA wants to do to you they can do on shore as well. I recommend a tin foil hat.

 

[JimMcGee]

I've never been stopped on Barnegat Bay. I get a vessel inspection every year from the CG Aux and put the sticker on the mast to show my safety gear is current.

On the bay it seems like they pay more attention to power boats and the under 30 crowd (drinking). I've seen them escort a boat full of drunks up Forked River more than once.

I was also told by one of the CG Aux guys that we're less likely to be stopped because our boat looks nice and everything is in good shape.

 

[scratchee]

I'm not particularly concerned about the U.S. intelligence services, but if I was I would probably be MORE inclined to head out on a sailboat, not less!

I suspect the OP is using "NSA" as shorthand for overbearing government. This thread is probably more properly focused on the Coast Guard, and I'm not particularly concerned about them either.

 

[Donna_F]

I'm not sure what the NSA has to do with sailing. As for the other, step lightly. If this thread goes down the path of anti-government-stomping-on-my-rights-argument, it will be moved.

 

[Don L]

Never been stopped!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have read post of people who complain they are getting stopped all the time, which makes me wonder what's "special" about them.

Stop being so freaking paranoid.

 

[sandy stone]

It's funny - I've been sailing on Lake Pontchartrain for decades and never been approached or questioned, just some waves and smiles as LEOs pass by in their boat. We occasionally go over to Mississippi Sound and the barrier islands there, and been boarded once by Border Patrol (at 10PM while anchored out), questioned another time while anchoring by Border Patrol, and questioned once by MS state agents while anchored out. I have to say, all were polite and professional, but the 10PM boarding did bug me.

 

[RichH]

Apparently not many who cruise through S. Florida between Vero and the Middle Keys are chiming in.
Best is to pass this obvious cruiser-unfriendly region offshore to avoid being a designated target 'prey species' by their paid mercenaries seeking 'revenue'.
If there is ever a US congressional 'dust up' concerning US govt. funding to maintain federal waterways in FL ... you can bet that I'll be contacting my Congressional and Senatorial representatives about how cruisers from their districts and state traveling on federal waterways in S. Florida are being 'treated' by FWC and local S. Florida municipalities.

Apparently, illicit rugs and human smuggling is currently again a big problem in S. Florida. If you've recently been boarded/inspected by the USCG, just wave the 'yellow sheet' receipt, offer the crew some cold drinks, and youll be 'passing thank you' back and forth between boats in about 2 minutes. The USCG are 'the good guys', mostly.

 

[Markwesti]

It's kind of funny now, but it wasn't funny back 20 yrs. ago . Ms. Westi and I were in the dingy tied up to a dock at a tall ship fest , drinks in hand . Across the way we saw the orange CG boat coming at us at a ridiculous rate of speed . I was busted, I blew .0001 over. Plus we had no PFD's and no paper reg . with us , my bad they had me dead to rights . I got a ticket . A few weeks later I get the fine in the mail , $1,200.00 . $1,000.00 for the .0001 one toke over the line sweet Jesus , $100 .00 for no PFD's , and $100.00 for no registration . I'm bummed , but in the fine letter it was explained to me that if I wrote a letter to the CG Commandant he might go easy on me , (lets remember this was before the day of computs & and spell check) I was allowed 2 letters , first letter was a flat out no , 2nd letter I asked that if I took the CG Aux . safety course , would my fine be lowered ? Commandant wrote back and said this would be acceptable . I took the USCG AUX . course , it lasted all summer long 4 hrs. every Sat . night . I sent my completion cert. to the Commandant , he lowered my fine $20.00 , that was the funny part .

 

[jzk]

In Chicago, the USCG tries to stop every boat at least once per year. It is absolutely outrageous that they have this power in our society, but it is certainly no reason to give up sailing.

 

[Shinook]

For comparison, I'm required to have a safety check on my car every year, an operators license renewal every 5 years, and emissions every other year, and those cost a few bucks (taxes and registration too, but we have those for boats too).

The difference is that tests on cars are scheduled, regular interval "inspections" and proficiency tests. The cops aren't pulling you over, then performing a safety check of your car simply because you are on the road.

A closer equivalent to cars would be if the USCG performed annual inspections of your boat as part of your registration. Be careful what you wish for, ask aircraft owners how well that works out for them.

The idea that the USCG or local LEO can board my boat any time of day or night, then search the boat with no probable cause, is absurd to me. To draw closer to your car analogy, the cops could pull you over for no reason, pull you out of your car, then search your car, for no reason at all.

Am I worried? No, I'm confident that I am staying within the law in every regard, but that doesn't mean it's right and I think it's acceptable for them to rummage through my property with no cause.

I don't think I'd be so concerned about this if it weren't for the stories coming out of south Florida. As such, I worry less about the USCG and more about local LEOs deciding they want to train on boarding boats in the middle of the night.

 

[chrisncate]

For comparison, I'm required to have a safety check on my car every year, an operators license renewal every 5 years, and emissions every other year

Not to derail the thread, but I have to ask since you also live in MD like I do, why did you say you have to have a safety check on your car every year? That's false. MD has a one time safety inspection at the time of purchase, and then it's only the VEIP (smog) test every two years... ?

 

[RichH]

To draw closer to your car analogy, the cops could pull you over for no reason, pull you out of your car, then search your car, for no reason at all.

Sure, when youre in your vehicle cops can pull you over, ask for drivers license and Insurance validation. BUT if clearly (and politely) stated that you dont submit to searches, and there is NO probable cause for the search, ... something called the 4th Amendment to the US constitution (used to) protects you.

If without probable cause and you STATE that you do not consent to searches, any contraband, etc. then found isnt admissible ... because an unwarranted search without you consent is illegal. Do not consent.
If you are requested to get out of your car, do so but lock the doors behind you ... and the same 4th amendment applies.
There is no law that prevents cops, etc. from LYING to you to gain access for an unwarranted search. Where allowed, video taping of the LEOs prevents their 'planting' of evidence.

For validation, do "search + unwarranted" on Youtube for about several hundred videos on the subject ... some are quite valid.
Some favorites:

... stunning!

 

[Minnewaska]

I have begun seeing videos and comments from other sites that more and more people are giving up sailing, and that some Marinas are going out of business in spite of local government's complaints, because NSA/Coast Guard...etc. are becoming so belligernt......

I have a bottle of rum that says, you've not actually seen many of these so called videos and comments. Giving up sailing and closing marinas just isn't happening for this reason.

NSA, now that's funny. Maybe it was the VA. :laugher