Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

We were finishing up ten hours on the water for the fluke tournament and the CG decides to board us....again.... for the third time in 9 mos!!

The only problem was we had an hour to weigh in fish!!!

We protested but it did not matter!!

It’s a good thing seas were flat and we went nearly WOT to get in with five minutes to spare (out of the money by six oz).

There has to be a better way plus they need to get rid of black boots that took half an hour to clean the scuffs

Re: Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

I know it sucks but remember they are there to save us as well.

Re: Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

I feel your pain No Limit we have been boarded twice by the CG and twice by the State police. Good news is the slips they give you for the boarding are good to just show the next time they come to your boat. Last season the CG not only scuffed up my deck but also let his gun in the holster scratch the hell out of my engine cover because he needed to see the serial number on the hull. They told me to file a complaint with the government lol. They mean well and are there for us god forbid we need them but have no right to damage my property!! Being that we primarily fish weekdays we are an easy target when there are only 3 recreational boats in the bay! First question was "do you have any firearms, ammunition or grenades on the boat" lol. Hell no I don't but that 18 year old kid with his hands on the 50 cal gun is making me nervous. Lol

Re: Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

What are they checking you for? I’ve been boarded by everyone except the coast guard and all they want to see is the fish.

Re: Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

The sole reason any agency boards you at sea is to "catch" you doing something against regulation (whether it's F&G related or coast guard reg related) so that they can write a summons where you have to pay a fine. Don't kid yourself, this is why the coast guard does safety checks - some boarding officers are very laid back and if there's a violation they let it go, while others will write a summons and will lay it on real thick. Remember, the Coast Guard is a FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT agency as well as a safeguard for boaters and our harbors.

Think of it like this - when a police officer stops you in your car, they have a reason to stop you, and the main reason is to write you a ticket for something with your car, like speeding, busted tail light, etc. It's the same affect on the water with on the water agencies, but there are many different things to look for and to cite a boater on, so know the rules!

Here's an idea: The boarding officers can make it a lot easier and schedule days to walk the docks at marinas to check boats and literally do the same thing so that boat owners can have a safety check done in an environment where corrections can be made if need be. IMO they don't do this simply so that they CAN write the summons' and produce $$$ for the federal government.

Aside from all that, the coast guard is there for us as boaters and they are out there to make sure that all boaters are acting in a safe and judicious manner - thank god we have them and god bless those guys!

Re: Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

The F&G guys have stopped our 13 ft rental skiff more than once

The whole experience seemed really unsafe - tying/pulling up to a boat so some guy can lean over to check coolers and bags.

Re: Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

Hey Limit their are a few ways you can avoid you being boarded,
1. if its the USCG doing a safety inspection have it done in the beginning of the year by the USCG Aux they will give you a decal to display and 90% of the time they will not stop you once they see that unless you are doing something careless.
2. if its fish and game not much you can do except open up every hatch and they will be off your boat in 5 to 10 minutes.
3. If its the NJ State Police just have all of your documentation in a baggie of some sort and keep it handy so its quicker.

When you were boarded all of those times did they perform a safety Inspection? if so they should have given you an inspection sheet which is good for 1 calendar year and when your stopped for a safety inspection you show them that and they are on their way.
As I said if its fish and Game your at their mercy.

Re: Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

Thanks CaptMark I forgot to mention all of my stops were for safety inspections from both agencies. State police did look at our fish , but really just ran our registration and drivers liscenses. As you stated we keep all the paperwork in the same ziplock with our saltwater registry cards.

Re: Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

Coast Guard boardings do catch people who do messed up stuff. Junk life jackets, burned out running and anchor lights at night, over loaded. There are a lot of people with F'ed up priorities and will spend more on a stereo than a VHF radio and antenna.

THs State Police do the same, but add that dopey Safety Certificate. USCG don't care. And USCG does the coastal rescues. State Police not so much.

Re: Got Boarded Again! WTF
 

The State police should spend their time in pursuit of criminals. All they do on the water is harass boaters and waste my tax dollars.

The U.S. Coast Guard on the other hand it there for our safety and for coastal patrol. I have no issues with them even if I was boarded twice already this year. They are a valuable asset for everyone on the water.