I have been told that U.S. Customs agents and the U.S. Coast Guard can board
any American flagged vessel or any vessel in U.S. waters without probable
cause. The (Massachusetts) state police (and even some harbormasters) claim
they too can board any vessel without probable cause because they are
"deputized" by U.S. Customs.

"Listen to the live broadcast of 'Nautical Talk Radio' with Captain Lou every
Sunday afternoon from 4 - 5 (Eastern Standard Time) on the web at
www.959watd.com or if you are in Boston or Cape Cod set your radio dial to
95.9FM.