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#1
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cannibal
"Jessica B" wrote in message
... On Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:28:18 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Jessica B" wrote in message . .. snip Whoa... you're a captain? That's so cool! That says a lot about you... you have to pass all sorts of background checks if it's anything like getting even a local government job like mine. Thanks, I have an excellent security background having had a Top Secret clearance for security work as a military policeman in the U.S. Army This is why I am highly insulted being subjected to a government bureaucrat, dog and pony, jump-through-the-hoops show. This is why I just said, NO! I've never been arrested for anything. Never even had a speeding ticket. I can even produce a valid birth certificate. Few, if any of the people who would have me jump through hoops can claim the same. And, this in the name of anti-terrorism, which is as much as accusing ME of being a terrorist threat, while the government ignores actual terrorists and cries and agitates for releasing them from Guantanamo Bay. Ludicrous! Yes, and don't listen to Bruce, stuck at the Bangkok dock. He's just envious of my greater qualifications. I qualified for and was duly issued a USCG, Master of Steam or Motor Vessels of not more than 25 gross tons upon near coastal waters; also operator of uninspected passenger vessels as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101 (42) upon near coastal waters not to exceed 100 miles offshore, which is way more than Brucie-Poo ever accomplished. Don't be fooled by those envious people like Joe who claim that near coastal is less than open ocean for everybody knows near coastal is where the hazardous sailing takes place. Open ocean is a joke and the realm of autopilots. That's where the rocks are... So, if you stay away from the rocks, then you have one less thing to worry about I guess. Every story my friend tells of mishap is in and around the marina or surrounding area. Yes, they say it's usually not the water that puts a boat in jeopardy but rather the hard stuff around the edges. LOL! Any old fool can pilot a boat in the open ocean. Heck, there's nothing out there to hit. Many big ships put the damned things of autopilot and nobody is even keeping a lookout when on the open ocean and this is the so-called shipping lanes where there IS some little traffic, at least. Goes to show you have to try pretty hard to have a collision out there. So, when some pretend sailor makes light of a near coastal license it just demonstrates a lack of understanding of where the real challenges are and where it takes real knowledge to cope. I don't get what's going on with the government... all this money coming in, and the whole infrastructure seems to be falling apart. I don't mind a few rules, but come on. Especially when it comes to paperwork. You've already been through the checks, you've already passed your exam (or whatever), so give the individual a break already. Job security for govt. pencil pushers! (no offense, not meaning you because you actually get out of the office and do productive work). Thanks! I have to write up stuff, but it's from actionable items... red-flags, resolutions, follow-up recommendations. I'm sick of all the money that seems to be frittered away on endlessly studying the mating habits of magpies or whatever. Has anybody ever offered you a bribe to look the other way on something? Wilbur Hubbard |
#2
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cannibal
On Sun, 30 Jan 2011 08:44:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard"
wrote: "Jessica B" wrote in message .. . On Fri, 28 Jan 2011 11:28:18 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: "Jessica B" wrote in message ... snip Whoa... you're a captain? That's so cool! That says a lot about you... you have to pass all sorts of background checks if it's anything like getting even a local government job like mine. Thanks, I have an excellent security background having had a Top Secret clearance for security work as a military policeman in the U.S. Army This is why I am highly insulted being subjected to a government bureaucrat, dog and pony, jump-through-the-hoops show. This is why I just said, NO! I've never been arrested for anything. Never even had a speeding ticket. I can even produce a valid birth certificate. Few, if any of the people who would have me jump through hoops can claim the same. And, this in the name of anti-terrorism, which is as much as accusing ME of being a terrorist threat, while the government ignores actual terrorists and cries and agitates for releasing them from Guantanamo Bay. Ludicrous! Yes, and don't listen to Bruce, stuck at the Bangkok dock. He's just envious of my greater qualifications. I qualified for and was duly issued a USCG, Master of Steam or Motor Vessels of not more than 25 gross tons upon near coastal waters; also operator of uninspected passenger vessels as defined in 46 U.S.C. 2101 (42) upon near coastal waters not to exceed 100 miles offshore, which is way more than Brucie-Poo ever accomplished. Don't be fooled by those envious people like Joe who claim that near coastal is less than open ocean for everybody knows near coastal is where the hazardous sailing takes place. Open ocean is a joke and the realm of autopilots. That's where the rocks are... So, if you stay away from the rocks, then you have one less thing to worry about I guess. Every story my friend tells of mishap is in and around the marina or surrounding area. Yes, they say it's usually not the water that puts a boat in jeopardy but rather the hard stuff around the edges. LOL! Any old fool can pilot a boat in the open ocean. Heck, there's nothing out there to hit. Many big ships put the damned things of autopilot and nobody is even keeping a lookout when on the open ocean and this is the so-called shipping lanes where there IS some little traffic, at least. Goes to show you have to try pretty hard to have a collision out there. So, when some pretend sailor makes light of a near coastal license it just demonstrates a lack of understanding of where the real challenges are and where it takes real knowledge to cope. I don't get what's going on with the government... all this money coming in, and the whole infrastructure seems to be falling apart. I don't mind a few rules, but come on. Especially when it comes to paperwork. You've already been through the checks, you've already passed your exam (or whatever), so give the individual a break already. Job security for govt. pencil pushers! (no offense, not meaning you because you actually get out of the office and do productive work). Thanks! I have to write up stuff, but it's from actionable items... red-flags, resolutions, follow-up recommendations. I'm sick of all the money that seems to be frittered away on endlessly studying the mating habits of magpies or whatever. Has anybody ever offered you a bribe to look the other way on something? I've been offered a bribe just once. He was actually a nice guy, and I said I really couldn't accept it because it would put my job and his life in jeopardy. The situation was that some moron installed a furnace so poorly in his house that the burners weren't getting enough air (it's almost always a ducting issue), which meant they were sucking air from the house and the gas wasn't being burned efficiently... a good way to get asphyxiated. In addition to red-flagging it, I had to turn off the gas to it. So, he was trying to get me to leave it on. No go on that, but I showed him how to turn the gas to it back on sort of in a sly way. I said, "Hey, here's what I have to do. This shuts off the gas. (I shut it off.) It's just a hand valve that's 90 to the pipe when it's off. You'll notice that when I turn it on (I turn it on) by putting it in line with the pipe, the pilot lights automatically after a few seconds after the thermostat kicks in. I don't recommend you turn it on. It's dangerous. I strongly recommend you leave a window open unless you want to wake up dead." I mentioned a couple of reputable companies, then, I left. :-) I did get asked out a few times, but only accepted one time. He was nice, but it just didn't work out. |
#3
posted to rec.boats.cruising
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Cannibal
"Jessica B" wrote in message
... On Sun, 30 Jan 2011 08:44:37 -0500, "Wilbur Hubbard" wrote: snip Has anybody ever offered you a bribe to look the other way on something? I've been offered a bribe just once. He was actually a nice guy, and I said I really couldn't accept it because it would put my job and his life in jeopardy. The situation was that some moron installed a furnace so poorly in his house that the burners weren't getting enough air (it's almost always a ducting issue), which meant they were sucking air from the house and the gas wasn't being burned efficiently... a good way to get asphyxiated. In addition to red-flagging it, I had to turn off the gas to it. So, he was trying to get me to leave it on. No go on that, but I showed him how to turn the gas to it back on sort of in a sly way. I said, "Hey, here's what I have to do. This shuts off the gas. (I shut it off.) It's just a hand valve that's 90 to the pipe when it's off. You'll notice that when I turn it on (I turn it on) by putting it in line with the pipe, the pilot lights automatically after a few seconds after the thermostat kicks in. I don't recommend you turn it on. It's dangerous. I strongly recommend you leave a window open unless you want to wake up dead." I mentioned a couple of reputable companies, then, I left. :-) I sure hope he didn't wake up dead. LOL! I did get asked out a few times, but only accepted one time. He was nice, but it just didn't work out. :-( Poor thang! But, I'm sure you get LOTS of chances. Wilbur Hubbard |
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