I remember about a year ago am article was posted here about a state that was changing its laws to say that the police had to have probable cause to pull a boat over. And that safety checks were no longer a means to stop a watercraft.
I did search and couldn't find what I was looking for.
What state was that?
Are there any other areas where the police have to have probable cause for a stop?
Thanks for the info.

Ohio went that route. It does not apply to the USCG or The Customs and Border patrol, however

http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp...151+sum+HB1298

As a member of the Coast Guard I can tell you that's definitely not the case for us. Local agencies, I don't know.

Probable cause = anything the nice water cop guy can think of.... registration numbers not spaced perfectly, , your boat is loud, you weaved, you waved, you misbehaved