State Police Claims They Can Board Without Probable Cause
 

Was having lunch yesterday at the café in the Marina. NH State Marine Patrol
boat comes in, docks and the too occupants come into the café. I strike up a
conversation regarding their new launch, and mention that I had familiarity
with the old one.

In 2002 they had come up behind me while I was waiting for the bridge in
front of the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

NO running lights,
NO radio Hail.
Just a sudden spotlight on the helm from about 50 yds and a demand that I
shut off my engine and stand by to be boarded. No identification in that
hail.

I yelled back over my diesel that I was NOT going to shut down my engine in
3 kts current that would sweep me into a Federal Security zone for anyone,
and who the hell were they.

They then identified themselves. I told them that I was still not standing
too as I was in MAINE Waters off the shipyard and that if they wanted me to
wait on the other side of the bridge which had just raised for me I would be
glad to do so, IF they put fenders down.

After another hail the proceeded to tell me my steaming light was out.

The funny thing about this is that this year the Marine patrol was trying to
blame that one on the Coast Guard.


Your milage may vary.

Sheldon.




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Sheldon Haynie
Texas Instruments
50 Phillipe Cote
Manchester, NH 03101
603 222 8652