"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 03 Jan 2006 22:36:42 GMT, "NOYB" wrote:

Also, if you have an attractive wife or girlfriend, keep them out of sight
if they're wearing a bikini. The LEO's like to stop boats for bikini
checks
under the guise of a safety check.

================================

Yep, even the USCG on the Caloosahatchee River. The bad news is we
got stopped, the good news is that we had attractive ladies on board.

The other good news is that they couldn't find anything to cite us for
although we did have to scramble around for a few seconds to find a
"throwable device".


A few years ago (2001, actually), I had just purchased a 16' Boston Whaler
and had launched it for the first time. It came with the basic mandatory
safety equipment but I had also purchased a few extras at West Marine,
including a flare gun kit of a new type that I had never seen before. I put
it, along with all the other gear, in the center console locker.

Anyway, I had my youngest son with me and he was driving the boat through
Scituate harbor. The Coast Guard decided to board and inspect us (they seem
to do this often early in the boating season) and since my son was the
"captain" at the time, I figured it would be a good experience for him to go
through the inspection routine. After the standard questions about firearms,
etc. and checking my registration, they asked my son for the standard list
of safety equipment. Everything went fine until they asked for the flares.
My son produced the still plastic wrapped case and the inspecting Petty
Officer asked him if he knew how to use them. My son's face went blank and
he nervously answered, "No".
The Coastie then handed the unfamiliar case to me and said, "Show him, Dad".

Wise ass, but we all had a laugh.

Eisboch