swatcop wrote:

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.


My Advice; Know the law, and how it applies to the water. If someone is
clearly violating the law, then do what is necessary.

Do not become entangled in the politics of opinion which divides the
various boating groups.

Remember what's one man's annoyance is another's extreme pleasure.
Jetski's are a common example of what is considered annoying by many
people. But while people complain about jetskis remaining in the same
general area, it is generally not unlawful for them to do so, despite
how it makes some other people feel. Same thing goes for fishermen who
complain about the wakes of skiboats and other transients. There should
be no expectation of glass smooth water when there are boats in the
area, and everyone has to be cognizant of the risks, and deal with the
conditions accordingly. Don't expect other people to know exactly what
everyone else is doing. There is a fine line between negligent operation
and a normal day on the water, when there are a bunch of boats all
plying the same waterway, looking for different pleasures.

Dave