First off, thanks for asking! And welcome to Florida waters!! What kind of
problems really depends on were you are, East coast is VERY different from
West as far as perceived problems. OUI is always a concern for me as a tour
operator as well as inexperienced operators. I don't want to jump on the PWC
bashing bandwagon, but lots of these folks have no idea what safe operation
is, not all of them mind you. I have to tell you, a night patrol on occasion
will do a lot to ease many minds. As far as wake violations, I'm all for
enforcement but some E.O.s from many fields have been over zealous and would
likely written a citation for boats at anchor in a strong spring tide if
given the chance.

Welcome! I'm just glad you are here!Conscientious law enforcement on the
water is a good thing for all concerned even those that may be
inconvenienced.

Capt. Matt

"swatcop" wrote in message
...
Looking for a little bit of direction here. I've been recently assigned to
my department's Marine Unit. I've been a cop for 15 years. I lived in NJ
at
the shore around boats most of my life, but never owned one. I rarely even
went out on boats except for fishing or waterskiing. I moved to Florida in
late 2000, and I'm still working as a cop (just in a nicer place). As a
result of some administrative changes in my department, I was assigned to
the Marine Unit. I've completed the necessary training and such, but one
thing is lacking: experience. I'll try to get to the point - I'm open for
comments and opinions. I know what the law says, and I know what my job
is,
but I try to use more common sense than what the law may actually say in
black & white. What do you (as boaters) feel the most important issues are
for the Police to deal with on the water? Would you like to see more
O.U.I.
enforcement? More vessel stops for no wake zone infractions? More safety
inspections? More after dark patrols of inlets, channels, and harbor
areas?
You tell me. I'm asking for your honest opinions here. As a rule I use
more
common sense than anything on the job. I treat people fairly, and as a
result I rarely ever have to appear in court. I would like to do the same
on
the water. Here's your chance to make a difference, because I will take
every opinion into consideration. Thanks for your help.

"Capt. Matt" wrote in message
...
First off, thanks for asking! And welcome to Florida waters!! What kind of
problems really depends on were you are, East coast is VERY different from
West as far as perceived problems. OUI is always a concern for me as a
tour
operator as well as inexperienced operators. I don't want to jump on the
PWC
bashing bandwagon, but lots of these folks have no idea what safe
operation
is, not all of them mind you. I have to tell you, a night patrol on
occasion
will do a lot to ease many minds. As far as wake violations, I'm all for
enforcement but some E.O.s from many fields have been over zealous and
would
likely written a citation for boats at anchor in a strong spring tide if
given the chance.

Welcome! I'm just glad you are here!Conscientious law enforcement on the
water is a good thing for all concerned even those that may be
inconvenienced.

Capt. Matt

Thank you for your input. Seems the jetskis are a common topic, and will be
dealt with more severely. As for the waterway, I'll be on the west coast in
the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you for the welcome and for the information, I
plan on making a POSITIVE change out there and not just becoming another
pain in the ass.
--
-= swatcop =-

"If it wasn't for stupid people I'd be unemployed."

Sir,
I am impressed! I have always had positive dealings with law enforcement, as
a P.S. teacher and as a boat captain. But the fact that I see you not only
ask but reply to local boaters, I think we have a real asset on the water
with you! If you are in the Naples to E.G.C. area I hope to see you
'unofficially on the water. Be safe, I'll do the same!

Capt. Matt



"swatcop" wrote in message
m...



"Capt. Matt" wrote in message
...
First off, thanks for asking! And welcome to Florida waters!! What kind
of
problems really depends on were you are, East coast is VERY different
from
West as far as perceived problems. OUI is always a concern for me as a
tour
operator as well as inexperienced operators. I don't want to jump on the
PWC
bashing bandwagon, but lots of these folks have no idea what safe
operation
is, not all of them mind you. I have to tell you, a night patrol on
occasion
will do a lot to ease many minds. As far as wake violations, I'm all for
enforcement but some E.O.s from many fields have been over zealous and
would
likely written a citation for boats at anchor in a strong spring tide if
given the chance.

Welcome! I'm just glad you are here!Conscientious law enforcement on the
water is a good thing for all concerned even those that may be
inconvenienced.

Capt. Matt

Thank you for your input. Seems the jetskis are a common topic, and will
be
dealt with more severely. As for the waterway, I'll be on the west coast
in
the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you for the welcome and for the information, I
plan on making a POSITIVE change out there and not just becoming another
pain in the ass.
--
-= swatcop =-

"If it wasn't for stupid people I'd be unemployed."

"Capt. Matt" wrote in message
...
Sir,
I am impressed! I have always had positive dealings with law enforcement,
as
a P.S. teacher and as a boat captain. But the fact that I see you not
only
ask but reply to local boaters, I think we have a real asset on the water
with you! If you are in the Naples to E.G.C. area I hope to see you
'unofficially on the water. Be safe, I'll do the same!

Capt. Matt

Thanks, Capt. Matt - I'll be on the Gulf of Mexico in the Tampa Bay area.
And it's not "sir," it's Bill. Be safe.
--
-= swatcop =-

"If it wasn't for stupid people I'd be unemployed."

"swatcop" wrote in message news:9RMCb.12536
Thank you for your input. Seems the jetskis are a common topic, and will be
dealt with more severely.

I have been pretty impressed with what you have had to say, until now.
Hating jet skies as much as any other sane boater it is still my
opinion that if you go into this new assignment with that attitude,
and acting on that prejudice as you state you will, than you are just
another pain in the ass, bad cop.

As for the waterway, I'll be on the west coast in
the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you for the welcome and for the information, I
plan on making a POSITIVE change out there and not just becoming another
pain in the ass.

The way to make a positive change is to make your compadres see things
more from the user point of view and bring your practical experience
as a boater and a human to the job, not by going out with a "piggish"
attitude, looking for jetskiers and other (mostly law abiding) folks
who don't fall in line with your personal boating or even lifestyle,
preferences and treating them "more severely".

Scott Ingersoll, who has seen to many good cops fall into this trap...

"Backyard Renegade" wrote in message
om...
"swatcop" wrote in message news:9RMCb.12536
Thank you for your input. Seems the jetskis are a common topic, and will
be
dealt with more severely.

I have been pretty impressed with what you have had to say, until now.
Hating jet skies as much as any other sane boater it is still my
opinion that if you go into this new assignment with that attitude,
and acting on that prejudice as you state you will, than you are just
another pain in the ass, bad cop.

As for the waterway, I'll be on the west coast in
the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you for the welcome and for the information, I
plan on making a POSITIVE change out there and not just becoming another
pain in the ass.

The way to make a positive change is to make your compadres see things
more from the user point of view and bring your practical experience
as a boater and a human to the job, not by going out with a "piggish"
attitude, looking for jetskiers and other (mostly law abiding) folks
who don't fall in line with your personal boating or even lifestyle,
preferences and treating them "more severely".

Scott Ingersoll, who has seen to many good cops fall into this trap...

I'm glad someone "pro-jetski" finally responded so I can get an even view of
the situation. As I stated in other replies, I am a fair guy. I won't
headhunt jetskis and hand out fistfulls of citations, but if all of the
boaters are complaining about the "water etiquette" usually displayed by
PWCs, then there's got to be a problem somewhere. I believe that I can get
the message out in my area that inconsiderate operation of PWCs will not be
acceptable without breaking out the ticket book. Once I warn someone,
though, I WILL issue a citation for subsequent offenses. That goes for PWCs,
boats, cars, skateboards, or whatever. Thanks for your input, yours will be
noted along with the rest of them.
--
-= swatcop =-

"If it wasn't for stupid people I'd be unemployed."

"swatcop" wrote in message . com...
"Backyard Renegade" wrote in message
om...
"swatcop" wrote in message news:9RMCb.12536
Thank you for your input. Seems the jetskis are a common topic, and will
be
dealt with more severely.

I have been pretty impressed with what you have had to say, until now.
Hating jet skies as much as any other sane boater it is still my
opinion that if you go into this new assignment with that attitude,
and acting on that prejudice as you state you will, than you are just
another pain in the ass, bad cop.

As for the waterway, I'll be on the west coast in
the Gulf of Mexico. Thank you for the welcome and for the information, I
plan on making a POSITIVE change out there and not just becoming another
pain in the ass.

The way to make a positive change is to make your compadres see things
more from the user point of view and bring your practical experience
as a boater and a human to the job, not by going out with a "piggish"
attitude, looking for jetskiers and other (mostly law abiding) folks
who don't fall in line with your personal boating or even lifestyle,
preferences and treating them "more severely".

Scott Ingersoll, who has seen to many good cops fall into this trap...

I'm glad someone "pro-jetski"

You did not read my post correctly, I am not pro jetski, I said:
" Hating jet skies as much as any other sane boater..."
Anyway, just wanted to clear that one up...
Scotty

finally responded so I can get an even view of
the situation. As I stated in other replies, I am a fair guy. I won't
headhunt jetskis and hand out fistfulls of citations, but if all of the
boaters are complaining about the "water etiquette" usually displayed by
PWCs, then there's got to be a problem somewhere. I believe that I can get
the message out in my area that inconsiderate operation of PWCs will not be
acceptable without breaking out the ticket book. Once I warn someone,
though, I WILL issue a citation for subsequent offenses. That goes for PWCs,
boats, cars, skateboards, or whatever. Thanks for your input, yours will be
noted along with the rest of them.

"Backyard Renegade" wrote in message
om...


The way to make a positive change is to make your compadres see things
more from the user point of view and bring your practical experience
as a boater and a human to the job

I'm not sure who you mean by "compadres", but if you mean the jetskiers
themselves, that'll be a tough nut to crack. First of all, around here
they're 90% teenagers. Ask 100 teenagers how often they need a quiet
afternoon. Let me know if you get positive answers from more than one or two
of them. It's up to their parents to explain to them that some boaters are
out on the water to get AWAY from lawnmowers and string trimmers and morons
who think "loud pipes save lives", and that it's their job to make sure that
nobody has to hear their jet skis at "normal lawnmower distances".

Failing this, there's nothing wrong with them being hunted down and
reoriented by the cops. What's are the other options? Put up with the noise?
The bad driving? The drunkenness? Or, chase them down ourselves?

On Wed, 17 Dec 2003 15:41:13 GMT, "Doug Kanter"
wrote:

What's are the other options? Put up with the noise?
The bad driving? The drunkenness? Or, chase them down ourselves?

================================================== ==

Actually it gets worse than that. Annoyed people gang up to assert
their democratic right to get laws passed. Laws that then become
applicable to all boaters, not just the ones that caused the trouble
in the first place. Next thing you know you've got speed zones, no
wake zones and no-boating-of-any-kind-whatsoever zones. All because
of a bunch of half wits on a jetski asserting their right to act like
jerks. Same for the straight pipe exhaust crowd.

"Doug Kanter" wrote in message ...
"Backyard Renegade" wrote in message
om...


The way to make a positive change is to make your compadres see things
more from the user point of view and bring your practical experience
as a boater and a human to the job

I'm not sure who you mean by "compadres",

I meant his fellow Officers...


but if you mean the jetskiers
themselves, that'll be a tough nut to crack. First of all, around here
they're 90% teenagers. Ask 100 teenagers how often they need a quiet
afternoon. Let me know if you get positive answers from more than one or two
of them. It's up to their parents to explain to them that some boaters are
out on the water to get AWAY from lawnmowers and string trimmers and morons
who think "loud pipes save lives", and that it's their job to make sure that
nobody has to hear their jet skis at "normal lawnmower distances".

Then they are arrogant and stupid, if they want peace and quiet, they
should go somewhere where the noisy stuff is not legal. That is a big
problem when a few folks can ruin the fun for a lot of other folks...
the "few" I refer to are the ones screaming about those who have
different ideas about fun boating. Remember, noisy or fast does not
mean bad or illegal... or even obnoxious for that matter, it just
depends on your point of view... What is really bad, is the
intolerance of some for those with different opinions on how to enjoy
the public waters.



Failing this, there's nothing wrong with them being hunted down and
reoriented by the cops. What's are the other options? Put up with the noise?
The bad driving? The drunkenness? Or, chase them down ourselves?

By the way, the rudest and most dangerous boaters I have run into in
the past are almost exclusively on 20 to 30 foot boats, not go fasts'
or jetskies either, just drunken idiots in regular stock dealer boats
like Maxim or SeaSwirl. Around here the jetskis know they are targets
so they more or less are under control..

Scotty, I do my boating on the CT River.