Excessive Water Patrol Safety Checks
12-05-2014 | 11:48 PM
#81
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 3,570
Likes: 127
From: Pasadena, MD
You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but the Coast Guard is a rescue organization, a law enforcement organization and part of Homeland Security. They have specific procedures to guide how their operations are conducted, whether it is a safety check or a rescue mission. We have been boarded on the Delaware River near Naval loading areas by armed CG personnel that where just doing their duty. Didn't have a problem, treated us in a respective, but authoritative manner. Glad they are out there.
I have to ask though, their duty or not do you think its right to point a 50cal ma-duce at you while doing a "courtesy safety check"? This aint Iraq. Hell this aint even Chi-raq.
I'm not against all cops, uscg, etc, etc. Just get sick of the attitude. Especially within site of my own house that I have lived at for years in one of my five boat that I get to pay the state on a yearly basis for the privilege to own.
And yes I have saved the lives of 2 lobstermen from a burning boat off the coast of Maine. It was so hot the fire burned my eyebrows off so I can say just because you or your organization may have saved a life or two doesn't give you the right to be a dick.
12-06-2014 | 01:18 AM
#82
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 54
From: Rockford, IL
If the cops were out there to save a life , or stop a wreckless accident from happening, I would not have an issue with them. They are out for the money. Plain and simple. Boat safety check points are B.S.. If you aren't causing a problem you should be left alone.. My boat will pass any inspection but I don't like the harassment. The DNR in Illinois are way to aggressive in my opinion. Why do you need to stop every boat and check them for what ever reason? $$$$$$
12-06-2014 | 08:17 PM
#83
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 353
Likes: 0
From: IL
On the Illinois Chain there's always police boats in the McHenry area by the 120 bridge. I've only been stopped by them once in my previous boat a 14' Lund. Just for a safety check it was a weekday and only a couple other boats out there. Needless to say the McHenry County officer I had no problems with. Not so far with my current boat. Maybe cause there not always by the 120 bridge like they use to be. They'll give you a huge fine for open exhaust. I don't really run across them that often in my boat. Remember if you go to the boat races at Blarney's Thursday night the Lake County Officers are out in force. People not being responsible boat operators simply by drinking and not having lights turned on. I avoid going to the boat races for that reason. I never drink and boat. Remember run your exhaust silent. It's a bummer having to. So yes the Waterpatrol should pull over those who are acting like idiots out there. Also I don't allow alcohol on my boat. Simply because I don't feel like getting pulled over at all. If they were to see your passenger with a beer most likely they would pull you over.
