In article 6riCf.337319$2k.178832@pd7tw1no,
Gary wrote:
Jonathan Ganz wrote:
In article ,
Wayne.B wrote:

Refusing to follow an order from the coast guard is a felony for those
who are inclined to go that way.


I'm not sure this is correct in all situations. It might also not be
enforceable. What are they actually going to do to you? Say you're 500
miles off, there is high wind and big waves, the epirb is activated
(how about by mistake?), the CG shows up, and you say, no, it was a
mistake. Everyone is fine (of even better, you're single handing and
you're fine). Are they going to stay on station until the weather gets
better then arrest you on the high seas? What if you're not a US
citizen? Are they going to follow you to port or attempt to board you?

I know of at least one situation with a fishing boat out here where
they asked to board for an inspection. The guy had apparently been
boarded many times. He told them to screw off. Finally, they backed
down and left him alone.




What are the Coast Guard doing 500 miles offshore?

Air/sea rescues. We were just over 200 miles off when we were
overflown by a USCG Air/Sea rescue plane. I think they were wondering
what we were doing out there, since we were just drifting for a couple
of hours. They did a couple of loops while we waved, and then they
took off in the direction of another sailboat we had seen a 1/2 day
before. I think they did the extra loops so low because a couple of
the women were skinny dipping, but you never know.


--
Capt. JG @@
www.sailnow.com