Coast Guard Info

BabyGiant · Jul-27-2005, 07:13 PM

With every Thread nowadays involving, Homeland Security, Customs and the Coast Guard, I decided to call the Horse and get straight from his mouth.

He's what I got:
The Coast Guard can board any vessel at anytime to perform a safety check. This is a visual inspection of safety items. here is a link with a check list of all items required. http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/vsc.htm They may perform a search if they have probable cause or you being a dick..which ever suits them. But they are to ask permission prior to the search. (so some right to privacy exists) If you got no reason to worry play their game and assist them to expedite. (Be sure to push them into the water getting off you boat...[not serious])

As for what was stated in another thread about guests being required to know the location of the safety equipement on board a vessel is NOT TRUE, not even the owner is required to know the location according to what the law states(it just needs to be there)...so knowing where the safety items are located and pointing them out to your guests is not required by law....although it would be stupid not to and it is a good practice.

When boarded and asked about weapons: DISCLOSE anything that may be used as a weapon...ie. Filet Knife, Bat, sharp pointy tools, Gaffs, Guns, belt clip knives. disclose the location of the item and if the USCG feels necessary they will ask to remove that from the boat and keep on theirs for the duration of the check.

Drivers License(or legal ID) is required to be with you at all times.
Boat Registration required on the boat at all times.

Yes drinking alcohol is permitted while underway...but limited only to passengers and the driver is to remain sober.(looks like we're all in trouble for this one) At anchor everyone can drink but with the limitation that one passenger is required to be able to legally operate the boat if required.

If you follow the link at the top you'll see you can have a free Safety Check done by the USCG and they'll give you a sticker stating you have passed the inspection. When inspected out on the water they are supposed to give you a Yellow Paper (Golden Slip) and you keep this on board and present it next time....the paper states your last inspection and that you passed.
White paper is a fine or warning. this too is required on board and must be presented the next time boarded and the USCG will confirm you have corrected the reason for the prior Warning/fine.

To avoid some hassels you can check in with the USCG in your local port a few days before your departure and notify them of you "Sail Plan" which included aproximate location, passengers, aproximate ETA...when you get back you check in with them. if youdon't return by the ETA then they'll send someone looking for you. after attempting to contact you. And you can do this with the port customs officials too.

San Diego USCG (main Group) 619-683-6300
Station 619-683-6360

Hope this helps clearify and if you want to talk to them just call ^.

now get out of my way I gotta go kill something.
Mark

Az.monkey · Jul-27-2005, 07:42 PM

thanks for the update Mark

firekel · Jul-28-2005, 12:38 PM

Thanks for the site, I may have missed it but there is nothing on there about floatation devices. I.E. pfd's or rings what's up w/ that..

Payaso1 · Jul-28-2005, 12:51 PM

What about DFG...can they board whenever they want????

Quick story...me , Payaso2, and CostaMako were on a can at Avalon Harbor after a day of Island fishing. DFG pulls along side and asks if we had been fishing. We reply yes and he proceeds to board the boat (with permission). Officer then asks for fishing licenses (even though we were not fishing)??? We comply. Then they proceed to search (very detailed) the boat for illegal fish possessions??? I didn't really care at the time because we play by the rules, but it hit me later...kinda intrusive and without consent!

I could understand if we were actually fishing, but while on a mooring???

Anyone else have a similar story. Does it seem legit/legal. One other side note, the officers were in plain clothes (no uniforms), operating an unmarked boat, and holding a badge in their hand only.

tattooedfreak36 · Jul-28-2005, 01:17 PM

It would seem to me that DFG asked your permission to board and you allowed them to. If you were fishing, they wouldn't have to ask for licenses because you'd be wearing it. If they are inspecting the catch of the day, then it would seem reasonable to ask for licenses as you were not fishing and not required to wear it at the time. It's the DFG's job to randomly inspect daily catches on boats to ensure poaching is on the decline and not the increase. Think about it, if you were (and I know you are not, nor am I) someone who occasionally took one too many of a species or kept one out of season or too deep or whatever, after being boarded by the DFG like that, you'd think twice about it next time. We, the majority, always end up paying for the sins of the few. Just my .02

Rob

Double Z · Jul-28-2005, 01:24 PM

I had the Coast Guard vessel Zephyr stop me at the border and do a safety check. They were very courteous and thanked me for having my kids in life jackets while under way. I figure that gave me a free pass past the customs guys right? Worked for me.

Payaso1 · Jul-28-2005, 01:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tattooedfreak36

It would seem to me that DFG asked your permission to board and you allowed them to. If you were fishing, they wouldn't have to ask for licenses because you'd be wearing it. If they are inspecting the catch of the day, then it would seem reasonable to ask for licenses as you were not fishing and not required to wear it at the time. It's the DFG's job to randomly inspect daily catches on boats to ensure poaching is on the decline and not the increase. Think about it, if you were (and I know you are not, nor am I) someone who occasionally took one too many of a species or kept one out of season or too deep or whatever, after being boarded by the DFG like that, you'd think twice about it next time. We, the majority, always end up paying for the sins of the few. Just my .02

Rob

I'm with you (solid points). I too support their function 100 percent. It just seemed alittle weird. It was like 9 at night and we were BBQing... I dunno. Been to Avalon plenty of times and never had that happen. Oh well, what are you gonna do.

Stoughty Rods · Jul-28-2005, 02:26 PM

Thanks for the clarification Mark!

BabyGiant · Jul-28-2005, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zzsdad

I had the Coast Guard vessel Zephyr stop me at the border and do a safety check. They were very courteous and thanked me for having my kids in life jackets while under way. I figure that gave me a free pass past the customs guys right? Worked for me.

--The USCG and The Customs people are two different entities but work together- You should have stopped and checked in with customs ifyou were fishing Mex water...actually doesn't matter where you fish once you have passed the Nados then you need to check in...or else its a gamble at the dock.. honestly I think PB'ers coming late from the tuna grounds are the ones that will picked on the most because if you're coming early afternoon with the madness of boat traffic I doubt anyone will question you but that entirely up the owner of the boat if a short stop is worth it... personally I have chanced it way too many times but that was only because I was misinformed. Originally I thought that by having the declaration forms on board I was cool and only needed to present them when asked but the TRUTH is you need to check in no matter what if you have passed the nados.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Payaso1

What about DFG...can they board whenever they want???
Quick story...me , Payaso2, and CostaMako were on a can at Avalon Harbor after a day of Island fishing. DFG pulls along side and asks if we had been fishing. We reply yes and he proceeds to board the boat (with permission). Officer then asks for fishing licenses (even though we were not fishing)??? We comply. Then they proceed to search (very detailed) the boat for illegal fish possessions??? I didn't really care at the time because we play by the rules, but it hit me later...kinda intrusive and without consent!
I could understand if we were actually fishing, but while on a mooring???
Anyone else have a similar story. Does it seem legit/legal. One other side note, the officers were in plain clothes (no uniforms), operating an unmarked boat, and holding a badge in their hand only.

--I would have called the Harbor Patrol to confirm the boat and persons stating they are DFG really are who they say they are before allowing them on board due to the fact that they were not in uniform, you were not fishing and that would just be strange to me but hearing of undercover DFG guys is not a new concept although usually they do that to monitor sporties. But as for what rights we have and what rights they(DFG) have I would need to place a call.

Quote:

Originally Posted by firekel

Thanks for the site, I may have missed it but there is nothing on there about floatation devices. I.E. pfd's or rings what's up w/ that..

--PFD= Personal Flotation Device ( life jacket)
--Ring = Throw ring with teather or USCG approved floating seat cushion
Required on board.
-- One correct size PFD per adult and 1 (one) childsize for each child on board. On Boats under 26' children under 12 years of age are required to wear at ALL TIMES while on the boat...(moving or stopped) on boats larger than 26' children are not required to be wearing at all times.