Read an article yesterday in the Star Ledger, about possible imprisonment and huge fines for recreational boaters getting too close to Navy ships. It said not to stop you boat within 500 yards, and not to drive within 100 yards of a Navy ship.

Yes you are partially correct. due to 9/11 and the Cole bombing they have emplaced new security measures. The notice to mariners is basically this: Within 500yds, idle speed only. No ship allowed any closer than 100 yds. They make a decision between shooting you when you begin to come inside the 500yd "area". If you break the 100yd "area" without a Coast Guard or Police boat stopping you, they will probably fire a warning shot over your Bow followed quickly by one to your boat should you not heed that warning. Go to the Coast Guard website or call your local office and they can probably explain it better.

May be a good way to get rid of a boat and collect the insurance money.

I can say that "Coastal
Security" is very HI right
now on the California coast and im sure all over
Not only for boats but
aircraft also.
Mike J.

AS WELL IT SHOULD BE!!!!!!

Don't know about fines, but I can tell you that if you fire up the boat at Hemmingways after lunch and head over to look at the anchored missle destroyer running dead toward it at about 40 mph it will draw the zodiac with the 50 cal on the bow from around the back of the destroyer to take a look at you.

We turned to parallel the boat and dropped down the speed well away (I'd already read of the 'safe' zones, and had an academy navigation instructor, my neighbor, on board with me). Still, bet it got the attention of the ships watch crew

-Greg