No good deed goes unpunished, as they say.

A volunteer giving of his own time offers to perform a useful service for
free. No matter who we are it's often useful to have another set of eyes
looking at the safety aspects of our boats.

The inspectors work off a check list which includes looking at the vessels
documents.

Some of the guys doing these courtesy, repeat, courtesy inspections are no
longer youngsters and may lack the kind of flexibility that can be useful
when dealing with the public. Still, they do their best which is pretty
good almost all the time.

I'll probably do one this year as it's been a while for my boat.

I personally believe the USCGAux folks are the bee's knees,

Butch
"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:14:45 GMT, "Calif Bill"
wrote:


"JohnH" wrote in message
news
On 20 Jan 2007 19:52:08 -0800, "Frogwatch"
wrote:


Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:03:18 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

I appreciate the CG and CGA, but something just doesnt seem right about
this but I am not sure what it is. Being a very long time sailor, I
have only been stopped by law enforcement types 3 times over 20 years
so I am not used to it happening. Maybe they stop powerboats more.

There are pics of my Tolman on the Fishy Fish site. I am David OHara
and the pics are under my name there. It is a 20' Standard Tolman with
a 90 hp Yamaha and 9.9 hp kicker. I built it as a center console.
This is my first foray into power boating and even though I have been
boating all my life I had never piloted a power boat until December
2006 when I launched my Tolman.

The courtesy inspection is just that - something being done for you.
I've
had several. They don't hurt, no one's out to get you or your boat.

Some folks are a little paranoid. Deservedly so.
--
***** Have a super day! *****

John H

Not paranoid, but I have been inspected by a real asshole. I am in my 14'
aluminum boat and I have more than the required equipment. GPS, fire
extinguisher, throwable cushion. He first complains that there is not a
complete 3" between the CF and the first number of the registration
numbers.
There is only 2". Then makes other nasty remarks and askes where the
extra
lifejackets are after he stepped in the boat. Informed him I am the only
one aboard and I am wearing my PFD. He stated he was aboard. I informed
him to get his ass out of my boat and never get near it again. I should
have called over his co workers and blasted him again for being a
dickhead.


This is a story about the USCGA? I've never seen them inspecting boats on
the water. It has always been at the ramp or in the marina. I've never
been
boarded by them. Anytime I've been boarded, the individual was already
wearing a vest, both Coasties, DNR, and local police. I've seen many USCGA
courtesy patrol boats on the water, but the crew has always been wearing
vests.

Maybe your experience was a San Francisco thing?
--
***** Have a super day! *****

John H