USCG is bored and....

johnnylite · Oct-17-2007, 10:17 AM

I like the machine gun on the front. Instant politeness getter. Classic pic by the way.
Uh Oh.

skifisher · Oct-17-2007, 10:24 AM

Yep, USCG=Great people. If you keep a firearm on board, keep it stored unloaded, separate from ammo. And let them know you have it if they ask, or are boarding for an inspection.

rippinlips · Oct-17-2007, 12:34 PM

i have deen stoped about 6 times this year, they are just looking out for our safety

sandiegosteve · Oct-17-2007, 09:56 PM

I don't mind being stopped by the coasties. They are doing a job that ultimately helps us. Sometimes it is a PITA (Pain in the ass), but you should be happy that you know your flares are out dates in case you need them.

I've met a bunch of coasties in "non-work" scenarios, and they are all nice people (so far).

That said, be respectful and make sure you know your shit. They may ask "who is the captain/skipper" and then ask someone else where the safety stuff is. So, tell your passengers where you keep the goods.

Some of the boys may even tell you where the fish are biting ;-)

Innocent Bystaner · Oct-17-2007, 10:44 PM

I've never been boarded by the USCG but had their machines gun pointed at me one day when four of them were escorting a sub out of the bay. I decided to slow down as they approached to view the sub. Bad decision. Luckily fishinbuddy was with me and set me straight. "No slowing down and absoulutly do not change course toward the sub." Them guns is real big.

ocngrv · Oct-18-2007, 12:07 AM

This system is comprised of volunteers from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons to serve recreational boaters.

Every year we have them come out and do a vessel check. They give you a sticker to put on your boat so when they pull up to you on the water they know you have already been checked out. It's a FREE service and they will right out to you house.

I Want a VSC On-line Database

bburrito · Oct-18-2007, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Innocent Bystaner

I've never been boarded by the USCG but had their machines gun pointed at me one day when four of them were escorting a sub out of the bay. I decided to slow down as they approached to view the sub. Bad decision. Luckily fishinbuddy was with me and set me straight. "No slowing down and absoulutly do not change course toward the sub." Them guns is real big.

I was going to post the below. But then I thought twice and it took me a minute or two to write this and finally hit post. How sad that in the land of the suposedly free you have to think twice about what you say. And yes, I agree that the coasties do an excellent job. They might add an extra 15 mins between you and the launch ramp, but that 15 mins might save you 15 hours of floating in timbuktu.

Huh... I always thought the flashing lights on their boats meant stop and take pictures!

daniel-neill · Oct-18-2007, 03:16 AM

Been stopped many times. They have always been nice. I had the expired flair issue and they just told me that if I bought some and came back they would give me a sticker for the boat. Pretty cool guys.

BigJoe · Oct-18-2007, 09:39 AM

I have had the home inspection and been boarded (10 nm out) they were very friendly explained everything they were doing and why. Having the home inspection first helped me as it made me aware of everything they would ask for OTW. I always carry a bucket as my emergency bilge pump. My noise maker is one of those canned air horns and they wanted me to show them it worked, let us just say after the ringing in everyones ears stopped we were able to continue the discussion of what fish we caught how and where

Jig Strike · Oct-18-2007, 09:58 AM

It sounds like all they are doing is making sure they don't have to go out and save your life later on.

tuna taxi · Oct-18-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ocngrv

This system is comprised of volunteers from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons to serve recreational boaters.

Every year we have them come out and do a vessel check. They give you a sticker to put on your boat so when they pull up to you on the water they know you have already been checked out. It's a FREE service and they will right out to you house.

I Want a VSC On-line Database

I just sent an email to setup a vessel check. I'll let you guys know how it goes.

I recall seeing a checklist somewhere on the web but I can't find it, does anyone have a list of the required items in order to get the VSC sticker?

tuna taxi · Oct-18-2007, 10:30 PM

OK, so I got this reponse back.

Sent: Thu Oct 18 21:10:44 2007
Subject: Re: I want a VSC for my vessel - Request from VSC Website

I apologize for this automatic reply to your email.

To control spam, I now allow incoming messages only from senders I have approved beforehand.

If you would like to be added to my list of approved senders, please fill out the short request form (see link below). Once I approve you, I will receive your original message in my inbox. You do not need to resend your message. I apologize for this one-time inconvenience.

Click the link below to fill out the request:

https://webmail.pas.earthlink.net/wa...IJc83ak3Nl36r3 <https://webmail.pas.earthlink.net/wam/addme?a=paulr13@thegrid.net&id=1iIJc83ak3Nl36r3>

I've been trying to connect to this link for the past 10+ minutes, no luck. I'll give the VSC site another try.