Where is Lake Quinsigamond?
JIMinFL
"Shortwave Sportfishing" wrote in message
...
I was stopped by the "Safety Patrol" this morning on Lake
Quinsigamond. He officer couldn't find anything and he really tried.
I had the all the safety gear including throw bag, throwable flotation
device, paddle, lights (not needed, but there), signaling devices (two
each plus sound device), anchor and I was wearing my Mustang
inflatable PFD (which I do anyway when underway).

I was cited for "improper installation of fire extinguisher".

Apparently, the fire extinguisher was "too close to the gas tank" - a
distance of 28 inches.

I protested that (1) this boat didn't require a fire extinguisher by
law and (2) the fact that it was easily accessible an (3) it was an
open boat.

To place it any other position on the boat would create more problems
than it was worth.

Didn't matter. The officer cited me and told me to take it up with a
judge.

I went directly to the police department and asked to speak to the
Watch Commander. As it happened, I had the CT boating laws in my
safety bag and I presented the citation and the pertinent part of the
CT boating law governing open boats under 16 feet.

The officer told me that he was profoundly sorry about that, but once
the ticket was written, he couldn't do anything about it because it's
radioed in and entered into the system immediately and once in the
system, that's it.

I'll have to take it to a magistrate.

Which I am going to do. Then I'm going to sue the police department
in small claims court for my time, gas and effort in reporting to
traffic court to get this straightened out.

I'm that annoyed.

The only good thing was that the Commander radioed for the officer to
return because he did something he shouldn't have done.

Hopefully, the "safety" officer will get a new one.