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swatcop December 13th 03 05:43 PM

Police Marine Units
 
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.




Harry Krause December 13th 03 05:51 PM

Police Marine Units
 
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.


More DUI enforcement, more anti-noise enforcement, more "reckless
boater" enforcement. Most folks I know who enjoy the water don't want to
be annoyed or put at risk by idiots who do not behave decently.

Good luck and be very careful. Most of the boaters you encounter will
treat you decently and with respect, but a couple years ago out in the
Chesapeake Bay, some unknowns assaulted a woman DNR watercop and it was
damned serious. I seemed to recall the assailants were druggies, and
they either beat or shot the officer.

I'm not sure, but I think I knew the watercop in question. She had
frequently checked out boats in our area for proper registration and
fishing licenses, and was very pleasant about it, so much so that one of
my fishing buddies tried to ask her out on a date (she was very pretty).
I've not seen the woman since I heard about the incident. This was, oh,
probably three years ago.









--
Email sent to is never read.

Doug Kanter December 13th 03 07:07 PM

Police Marine Units
 
"swatcop" wrote in message
...
Here's your chance to make a difference, because I will take
every opinion into consideration. Thanks for your help.


Here in Rochester NY, there's a busy area where the sherrifs behave like
giant mosquitoes, pestering anyone who looks wrong. I think it's a great
idea, even though they've bugged me frequently to check my fishing license.
I have to imagine they nail people for more serious stuff. So, I'd say "Be
the biggest pain in the ass you can".

My pet peeve involves something that happens constantly when I'm fishing.
The bay here is about a mile wide, and from side to side, it's deep enough
for any boat. There's one spot where small fishing boats have been
congregating for years because that's where the perch hang out. The spot's
about an acre in size. Without fail, there's at least one moron per hour who
feels the need to crank past the fishermen at top speed, throwing 3-5 ft
wakes.

I don't know the official legal name of the law covering wakes, but when my
son's in the boat, I call it "attempted murder". One of these days,
someone's gonna get a bullet in their fuel tank.

Do something about that, wherever you work.



Snafu December 13th 03 07:28 PM

Police Marine Units
 
You can go by the book enforcing any laws at your disposal related to the
operation of jet skis...

"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.




Greg December 13th 03 07:53 PM

Police Marine Units
 
From my experience, where the cops are NOT is patrolling almost anywhere after
dark. I bet more constituants care about after dark piracy along the water
front than all the traffic tickets you can write.
Getting rocked by a wake or hearing a loud boat is a minor irritation compared
to waking up and finding your engine gone.
Other than that I imagine a boat cop is juat like being in the roller. You
spend most of your shift clearing radio calls.

John Gaquin December 13th 03 08:11 PM

Police Marine Units
 
I'll echo Harry's points above -- DUI, noise, and careless & reckless. If
your jurisdiction couples careless with reckless, you can probably squeeze
even more of the yahoos than with reckless alone. Depending on what part of
FL, your department probably has some pretty well thought out patrol and
enforcement objectives, but those three would probably yield the greatest
aggregate benefit to the boating community and the public at large.

Thanks for asking, and thanks for doing your job.

JG



Clams Canino December 13th 03 09:03 PM

Police Marine Units
 
Hi!

This might parrot what others said, but in my opinon the more you can hound
wreckless jet-ski's the better. hehe And then of course wreckless boaters
in general.

OUI is important too, but use your head. A couple guys out in a rowboat with
a 5hp Jonnyrude, fishing, with a 12 pack in the cooler ain't the real big
problem, it's the speedboats with intoxicated operators that think they're
Mario Andretti. LOL.

Equipment checks are a good way to "bust balls" of someone you stopped for
operation. But to stop people *just* to do equipment checks is annoying as
all hell. There's enough strange operatoin out there to keep you busy.

And lastly, don't "become" the problem. There are a lot of narrower places
that just by inserting your boat in the middle - you *create* a no wake
area - this really ****es off people pulling skiiers and tubes etc. They
have have to drop of plane or get ticketed by Marine Patroll *because* of
the damn Marine Patroll boat. So...in narrow areas stay near the edges
please.

And as a personal favor. grin Older couples often don't have an extra
person to "spot" for the skiier.Yes, I know the law (in most states)
requires a spotter, but it's often just me and my wife. So I put a rearview
mirror on the boat and call the German shepard my spotter. A warning will do
just fine - as we're at least *trying* to get it right with the mirror.
Sometimes you just can't find a spotter without kidnapping someone - a worse
crime. Don't make me have to get a blow up doll.grin


-W







"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.






Clams Canino December 13th 03 09:11 PM

Spotter shortage?
 
Meet my new ski spotter??

http://realdoll.com/

-W

"Clams Canino" wrote in message
news:29LCb.383435

Sometimes you just can't find a spotter without kidnapping someone - a

worse
crime. Don't make me have to get a blow up doll.grin


-W




Harry Krause December 13th 03 09:17 PM

Spotter shortage?
 
Clams Canino wrote:
Meet my new ski spotter??

http://realdoll.com/

-W

"Clams Canino" wrote in message
news:29LCb.383435

Sometimes you just can't find a spotter without kidnapping someone - a

worse
crime. Don't make me have to get a blow up doll.grin


-W




Finally...a woman perfect for our right-wingers.

--
Email sent to is never read.

Capt. Matt December 13th 03 09:23 PM

Police Marine Units
 
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.






Clams Canino December 13th 03 09:23 PM

Spotter shortage?
 

Why? So they can't breed?

-W

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Clams Canino wrote:
Meet my new ski spotter??

http://realdoll.com/

-W

"Clams Canino" wrote in message
news:29LCb.383435

Sometimes you just can't find a spotter without kidnapping someone - a

worse
crime. Don't make me have to get a blow up doll.grin


-W




Finally...a woman perfect for our right-wingers.

--
Email sent to is never read.




Harry Krause December 13th 03 09:24 PM

Spotter shortage?
 
Clams Canino wrote:

Why? So they can't breed?

-W

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
Clams Canino wrote:
Meet my new ski spotter??

http://realdoll.com/

-W

"Clams Canino" wrote in message
news:29LCb.383435

Sometimes you just can't find a spotter without kidnapping someone - a
worse
crime. Don't make me have to get a blow up doll.grin


-W



Finally...a woman perfect for our right-wingers.

--
Email sent to is never read.



Naw. They don't like real women or real sex.


--
Email sent to
is never read.

swatcop December 13th 03 10:30 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"Snafu" wrote in message
nk.net...
You can go by the book enforcing any laws at your disposal related to the
operation of jet skis...

I agree on that subject - not to worry. Thanks.
--
-= swatcop =-

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



swatcop December 13th 03 10:33 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"Greg" wrote in message
...
From my experience, where the cops are NOT is patrolling almost anywhere

after
dark. I bet more constituants care about after dark piracy along the water
front than all the traffic tickets you can write.
Getting rocked by a wake or hearing a loud boat is a minor irritation

compared
to waking up and finding your engine gone.
Other than that I imagine a boat cop is juat like being in the roller. You
spend most of your shift clearing radio calls.

Ah-ha! Someone who agrees with me! I usually work the road after dark, and
my biggest pet-peeve is business checks and residential checks. I take it
personally if my sector has a burglary when I'm working because I'm very
thorough. The crime rate in my sector dropped 10% last year, which I'm very
proud of and attribute to high visibility patrol after dark. I plan on doing
the same thing with the Marine Unit by patrolling the channels and such.
Thanks.
--
-= swatcop =-

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




swatcop December 13th 03 10:35 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"John Gaquin" wrote in message
...
I'll echo Harry's points above -- DUI, noise, and careless & reckless. If
your jurisdiction couples careless with reckless, you can probably squeeze
even more of the yahoos than with reckless alone. Depending on what part

of
FL, your department probably has some pretty well thought out patrol and
enforcement objectives, but those three would probably yield the greatest
aggregate benefit to the boating community and the public at large.

Thanks for asking, and thanks for doing your job.

JG

Actually, there are no current enforcement objectives (thus the change in
administration). I've spoken with some of the surrounding agency's marine
officers and have gotten some pretty good ideas, but I want to know what the
PUBLIC wants done. Thank you for your input.
--
-= swatcop =-

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



swatcop December 13th 03 10:38 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
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.


More DUI enforcement, more anti-noise enforcement, more "reckless
boater" enforcement. Most folks I know who enjoy the water don't want to
be annoyed or put at risk by idiots who do not behave decently.

Good luck and be very careful. Most of the boaters you encounter will
treat you decently and with respect, but a couple years ago out in the
Chesapeake Bay, some unknowns assaulted a woman DNR watercop and it was
damned serious. I seemed to recall the assailants were druggies, and
they either beat or shot the officer.

I'm not sure, but I think I knew the watercop in question. She had
frequently checked out boats in our area for proper registration and
fishing licenses, and was very pleasant about it, so much so that one of
my fishing buddies tried to ask her out on a date (she was very pretty).
I've not seen the woman since I heard about the incident. This was, oh,
probably three years ago.

Thank you for your input, I'll take all of your points into consideration.
As a rule, I'm a very "officer safety" oriented cop as I'm on the S.W.A.T.
team and other similar functions already, but I certainly appreciate the
concern. Thank you.
--
-= swatcop =-

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




Rick December 13th 03 10:42 PM

Police Marine Units
 
Clams Canino wrote:

This might parrot what others said, but in my opinon the more you can hound
wreckless jet-ski's the better. hehe And then of course wreckless boaters
in general.


I think the "wreckless" ones should be left alone and go after those
with many wrecks to their credit.

Rick


swatcop December 13th 03 10:42 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"swatcop" wrote in message
...
Here's your chance to make a difference, because I will take
every opinion into consideration. Thanks for your help.


Here in Rochester NY, there's a busy area where the sherrifs behave like
giant mosquitoes, pestering anyone who looks wrong. I think it's a great
idea, even though they've bugged me frequently to check my fishing

license.
I have to imagine they nail people for more serious stuff. So, I'd say "Be
the biggest pain in the ass you can".

My pet peeve involves something that happens constantly when I'm fishing.
The bay here is about a mile wide, and from side to side, it's deep enough
for any boat. There's one spot where small fishing boats have been
congregating for years because that's where the perch hang out. The spot's
about an acre in size. Without fail, there's at least one moron per hour

who
feels the need to crank past the fishermen at top speed, throwing 3-5 ft
wakes.

I don't know the official legal name of the law covering wakes, but when

my
son's in the boat, I call it "attempted murder". One of these days,
someone's gonna get a bullet in their fuel tank.

Do something about that, wherever you work.

I'm not sure of the actual name of the statute (as I said I'm new at this
aspect of policing), but I know it exists. Part of my training was with the
Coast Guard, and I remember the instructor really driving his point home
about boaters being responsible for their wake. One of his examples was a
woman drinking coffee on her husband's boat. Some schmuck flew past them and
she spilled her coffee on her lap resulting in burns. The operator of the
other boat was heavily fined and also came under civil suit. I will
definitely keep an eye on the wakes of vessels. Thank you for your input.
--
-= swatcop =-

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



swatcop December 13th 03 10:48 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"Gene Kearns" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 17:43:47 GMT, "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.



Enforcement Needed:
Inconsiderate and dangerous operation.... wakes, skiing in areas that
just aren't safe, and the like. Drug interdiction. Violation of
"green" laws.

Enforcement Not Needed:
Don't stop boaters unless you explain the WHY. In some areas,
enforcement amounts to harassment. Stopping nearly everybody on the
water isn't the best use of police resources (which are usually thin
enough) and doesn't go a long way toward community opinion,
especially, if a stop is just "a stop."

Remember:
A citation is not always the best answer. Hopefully you are looking
for a favorable change in public behavior and are not acting
principally as a profit center for the municipality.

In short? Don't proudly and visibly stomp on the ants while letting
the elephants run wild.

--



Grady-White Gulfstream, out of Southport, NC.

http://myworkshop.idleplay.net/cavern/

Homepage
http://www.southharbourvillage.com/directions.asp Where

Southport,NC is located.
http://www.southharbourvillage.com/autoupdater.htm Real Time

Pictures at My Marina
http://www.thebayguide.com/rec.boats Rec.boats

at Lee Yeaton's Bayguide

Duly noted. Just F.Y.I., I plan on using the same discretion that use with
road patrol. I figured out my traffic stop vs. citations ratio on another
newsgroup about a month ago. It seems that I only write citations to 28% of
the people that I stop. I plan on doing the same on the water, and I agree
that citations are most definitely not always the answer. I am indeed
looking for a favorable public opinion, which is the main reason that I
posted this message. I want to know what the PUBLIC wants. I already know
what the administration wants, but the administration isn't going to be out
on the water - I am.
As far as your ants vs. elephants theory, well, there's no challenge in
hunting ants and I like a challenge.
--
-= swatcop =-

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





Ed December 13th 03 10:50 PM

Police Marine Units
 
I would make one additional suggestion....

Know the maritime law for the area you are in......

I have been boating in IL for 20 years and now in FL for 20 years and I
come across MANY officers who do not know the USCG rules of the road or
common marine etiquite. The biggest error I have seen is the difference
in NO WAKE IDLE SPEED and SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE. I have a 48 ft
sport fish and during manatee season, the ICWW is SLOW SPEED MINIMUM
WAKE. A 48' Boat can go almost 2x the speed of a smaller boat and meet
the legal definition of SLOW SPEED. The way it was expained to me by
USCG officals was that a vessel can go as fast as they want, as long as
the boat does not "begin to go on a plane" Which means the bow does not
begin to rise.

Most also have no clue as to signalling rules for passing. I have hit
the horn before expecting a response and they just look at me funny...

Have fun and stay safe.




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.





swatcop December 13th 03 10:55 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"Clams Canino" wrote in message
news:29LCb.383435$ao4.1278020@attbi_s51...
Hi!

This might parrot what others said, but in my opinon the more you can

hound
wreckless jet-ski's the better. hehe And then of course wreckless

boaters
in general.

OUI is important too, but use your head. A couple guys out in a rowboat

with
a 5hp Jonnyrude, fishing, with a 12 pack in the cooler ain't the real big
problem, it's the speedboats with intoxicated operators that think they're
Mario Andretti. LOL.

Equipment checks are a good way to "bust balls" of someone you stopped for
operation. But to stop people *just* to do equipment checks is annoying as
all hell. There's enough strange operatoin out there to keep you busy.

And lastly, don't "become" the problem. There are a lot of narrower places
that just by inserting your boat in the middle - you *create* a no wake
area - this really ****es off people pulling skiiers and tubes etc. They
have have to drop of plane or get ticketed by Marine Patroll *because* of
the damn Marine Patroll boat. So...in narrow areas stay near the edges
please.

And as a personal favor. grin Older couples often don't have an extra
person to "spot" for the skiier.Yes, I know the law (in most states)
requires a spotter, but it's often just me and my wife. So I put a

rearview
mirror on the boat and call the German shepard my spotter. A warning will

do
just fine - as we're at least *trying* to get it right with the mirror.
Sometimes you just can't find a spotter without kidnapping someone - a

worse
crime. Don't make me have to get a blow up doll.grin


-W

I'll be looking for the ski-boat with the blow up doll in the back - you got
me to laugh on that one!
Anyway, I agree with your points on jetskis and reckless operation, I plan
to hit them pretty hard. Thanks for the tip on the narrow areas, although I
would have thought that to be common sense. Maybe it's different in your
area. And as a question on the safety checks, other than the marinas in my
town, most people use a public boat ramp area. Would you be offended if the
cops did a safety inspection on your vessel while you were waiting in line
to launch at a boat ramp? It seems to me like it would save time that way.
Thank you for your input.
--
-= swatcop =-

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



swatcop December 13th 03 10:59 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"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."



Doug Kanter December 13th 03 11:00 PM

Police Marine Units
 
"Ed" wrote in message ...

Most also have no clue as to signalling rules for passing. I have hit
the horn before expecting a response and they just look at me funny...


I agree. Around here (upstate NY), it seems that 75% of boaters don't know
the rules for passing. Meanwhile, I learned that when I took power squadron
courses at age 13. Perhaps those courses should be required, and validated
by a tattoo on the student's arm, to avoid swapping credentials. :-)

Around here, we have a name for the yahoos: floating Camaros. If you got
into a shouting match with 50 of them and guessed their names and called
them Vito, you'd be right 45 times. It's a real problem. They're not like
the Italians I grew up with around NYC. They're caricatures.



swatcop December 13th 03 11:07 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"Ed" wrote in message ...
I would make one additional suggestion....

Know the maritime law for the area you are in......

I have been boating in IL for 20 years and now in FL for 20 years and I
come across MANY officers who do not know the USCG rules of the road or
common marine etiquite. The biggest error I have seen is the difference
in NO WAKE IDLE SPEED and SLOW SPEED MINIMUM WAKE. I have a 48 ft
sport fish and during manatee season, the ICWW is SLOW SPEED MINIMUM
WAKE. A 48' Boat can go almost 2x the speed of a smaller boat and meet
the legal definition of SLOW SPEED. The way it was expained to me by
USCG officals was that a vessel can go as fast as they want, as long as
the boat does not "begin to go on a plane" Which means the bow does not
begin to rise.

Most also have no clue as to signalling rules for passing. I have hit
the horn before expecting a response and they just look at me funny...

Have fun and stay safe.

I agree that most people don't know anything about the USCG rules, which is
exactly why I attended the USCG "Basic Skills and Seamanship" course. It
covers all of the points that you made, and I certainly know a lot more
about boating than I did before taking the course. Thank you for your input.
--
-= swatcop =-

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



Doug Kanter December 13th 03 11:08 PM

Police Marine Units
 
"swatcop" wrote in message
m...

Would you be offended if the
cops did a safety inspection on your vessel while you were waiting in line
to launch at a boat ramp? It seems to me like it would save time that way.


That's a good idea. Include proper anchors in the list of necessary toys.
I've had the CG look over my yacht and check everything EXCEPT the anchor. I
can't tell you how many times I've had to hoist MY anchor to get out of the
way of some putz with an undersized anchor whose boat starts drifting and
threatening other anchored boats because the guy's motor won't start fast
enough.

Fishing is my church. Nobody disturbs my worship with my whining about it.
:-)



swatcop December 13th 03 11:09 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"Ed" wrote in message ...

Most also have no clue as to signalling rules for passing. I have hit
the horn before expecting a response and they just look at me funny...


I agree. Around here (upstate NY), it seems that 75% of boaters don't know
the rules for passing. Meanwhile, I learned that when I took power

squadron
courses at age 13. Perhaps those courses should be required, and validated
by a tattoo on the student's arm, to avoid swapping credentials. :-)

Around here, we have a name for the yahoos: floating Camaros. If you got
into a shouting match with 50 of them and guessed their names and called
them Vito, you'd be right 45 times. It's a real problem. They're not like
the Italians I grew up with around NYC. They're caricatures.

"Floating Camaros?" I love it! The go fasts should have the word "IROC" on
the sides. Thanks for your input.
--
-= swatcop =-

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



swatcop December 13th 03 11:12 PM

Police Marine Units
 



"Doug Kanter" wrote in message
...
"swatcop" wrote in message
m...

Would you be offended if the
cops did a safety inspection on your vessel while you were waiting in

line
to launch at a boat ramp? It seems to me like it would save time that

way.


That's a good idea. Include proper anchors in the list of necessary toys.
I've had the CG look over my yacht and check everything EXCEPT the anchor.

I
can't tell you how many times I've had to hoist MY anchor to get out of

the
way of some putz with an undersized anchor whose boat starts drifting and
threatening other anchored boats because the guy's motor won't start fast
enough.

Fishing is my church. Nobody disturbs my worship with my whining about it.
:-)

Alrighty then. I'm actually writing down everything that I get out of my
inquiry, so thank you for your input.
--
-= swatcop =-

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



Clams Canino December 13th 03 11:42 PM

Police Marine Units
 

"swatcop" wrote in message news:INMCb.12534

Thanks for the tip on the narrow areas, although I
would have thought that to be common sense. Maybe it's different in your
area.


It's different here. We have a patch of river 8 miles long and 200 - 300
feet wide. And often the Marine Patroll doods troll right up the middle,
particularly the newer younger guys. I mean, it is "instinct" to drive up
the middle, but if you see a skiier coming it's *nice* to pull aside, as
opposed to watching to see if he'll slow down for you.

And as a question on the safety checks, other than the marinas in my
town, most people use a public boat ramp area. Would you be offended if

the
cops did a safety inspection on your vessel while you were waiting in line
to launch at a boat ramp? It seems to me like it would save time that way.


*I* wouldn't be offended at the ramp, no. I tend to be be a comedian about
it and show him the life-preservers, throwables, ski-vests, fire
extinguisher, flares, whistle, horn, anchor, sunscreen, sunglasses, TCW-3,
12 soda, 6 beer, 1 energy drink, 1 milk, 1 orange juice, 1 orange, 2 apple
pies, 1 canned ravioli, 1 Spaghetti-O's Etc etc...

(yanno - we might think it's funny - until the day the Marine Patroll finds
a subject in hypoglycemic shock and comes screaming after my boat to get my
goodies - *then* he'll be glad I showed him the Hostess Apple Pies!)

But anyway, a lot of people tend to view a "safety check" like an "MV
stop" - they wanna know what they did to draw your attention in the first
place. shrug

Speaking of the ramp, I don't know how enforcable it is (perhaps via
loitering laws hehe) but some of the idiots that tie up / slow down the
ramps need a ticket for *something* LOL.

-W

PS: Look at bright side - it's *got* to be a lot more fun than S.W.A.T. work
is!!
Just still be carefull out there. Binoculars are your friend. If you run
into drug runners on a boat, it's way too easy to just shoot the cop and
sink the evidence. Remember *they* already know what's up as your
approaching them.






Clams Canino December 13th 03 11:55 PM

Police Marine Units
 
MOST importantly. Come back HERE often to post the best "idiot" stories.
!!!

I'll give you the best one I ever heard:

A friend of mine is a State Trooper. One night he was gassing up his
vehicle at one of the little "Statie stops" they have here for the Troopers
to gas up at. So while he's filling his (unmarked) car, the subject pulls
up to the pumps, drunk as a skunk, and when the Officer comes over to the
subjects window to see what he possibly could want - he slurrs: "Fill her
up please".

A moment of silence follows while the officer looks at the subject ,
meanwhile the subject is looking the officer up and down, and becomes dimly
aware of the real situation.

Subject rolls down his window - stucks out both hands - and says "OK you got
me - that was pretty clever"

Poor cop said he had a hard time stopping laughing long enough to ask the
guy for his liscence and reg so he could start the OUI arrest.. LOL.

"So how'd you get this one?"

"He just kinda drove up and surrendered."

-W

"swatcop" wrote in message news:a1NCb.12546

Alrighty then. I'm actually writing down everything that I get out of my
inquiry, so thank you for your input.




Charles December 14th 03 12:43 AM

Police Marine Units
 


Harry Krause wrote:

More DUI enforcement, more anti-noise enforcement, more "reckless
boater" enforcement. Most folks I know who enjoy the water don't want to
be annoyed or put at risk by idiots who do not behave decently.


Don't take anything krause has to say too seriously or you'll be
embarassed sooner or later to have believed him.

He's the resident rec.boats vicarious boater.

-- Charlie


----== Posted via Newsfeed.Com - Unlimited-Uncensored-Secure Usenet News==----
http://www.newsfeed.com The #1 Newsgroup Service in the World! 100,000 Newsgroups
---= 19 East/West-Coast Specialized Servers - Total Privacy via Encryption =---

Harry Krause December 14th 03 12:54 AM

Spotter shortage?
 
WaIIy wrote:
On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 21:11:59 GMT, "Clams Canino"
wrote:

Meet my new ski spotter??

http://realdoll.com/


I see you found a picture of Krause's "young" wife.


Poor Wally. Still being turned down for sex by...

....his hand.





--
Email sent to is never read.

John Gaquin December 14th 03 01:02 AM

Police Marine Units
 

"Doug Kanter" wrote in.


That's a good idea. Include proper anchors in the list of necessary toys.
I've had the CG look over my yacht and check everything EXCEPT the anchor.


I don't know where you are, Doug, but the requirement to have an anchor
aboard is not Federal. Many states have placed their own requirement for an
anchor, and generally the CG will include the anchor as required in those
states.

JG



UglyDan®©™ December 14th 03 01:39 AM

Police Marine Units
 
Floating Camaros? Never heard that one, In our part of NY we used to
call them, "Guinea Go Fast Boats" UD



http://community.webtv.net/capuglyda...inUglyDansJack


Capt. Matt December 14th 03 02:33 AM

Police Marine Units
 
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."





noah December 14th 03 03:30 AM

Police Marine Units
 
On Sat, 13 Dec 2003 17:43:47 GMT, "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.


You don't sound like the type, but just for future reference:

I went striper fishing one early morning, in the pouring rain, by
myself, in my 14' jon-boat, on the Hudson River. I launched in the
dark, and although I had two approved throwable PDF's onboard, I left
my "wearable" PDF on the launch ramp.

A few hours later, a DEC center cabin comes roaring up, and hooks my
gunwale. My little anchor is holding both of us, against a rising
tide and current, and he damned near swamps me. I disobey his
instruction to leave my anchor set, and pull it before my jon goes
under.

I'm wet, cold, with no fish, and he writes me up for no "wearable"
PDF. Yup, it was my mistake, but he was bustin' my ass, and he was an
idiot. In a 14' jon, the law does not require me to wear the
"wearable", just "have one on board", so what's the difference between
"wearable" and "throwable"? If he hadn't hooked my boat, I wouldn't
have needed the friggin' "wearable". I was the only boat on the river
that morning for miles, so I guess he had to find "something". After
writing me up, he ordered me off the river. Barney Fife.

I paid the fine, and thanked the judge for making it a very small one.
I think the judge was a fisherman. :o)

You sound like a reasonable guy. People will appreciate that, so do
what you gotta' do. Thanks for listening.
Regards,
noah

To email me, remove the "OT-" from OT-wrecked.boats.noah.
....as you were. :o)

noah December 14th 03 03:46 AM

Police Marine Units
 
On 13 Dec 2003 21:30:17 -0600, noah
wrote:

....uhm sheepishly, "PFD".

If I had known that Typing Class was more important than making-out
with Donna under the bleachers, I still woulda' been under the
bleachers. :o)
Regards,
noah

To email me, remove the "OT-" from OT-wrecked.boats.noah.
....as you were. :o)

Doug Kanter December 14th 03 05:52 AM

Police Marine Units
 
"swatcop" wrote in message
m...


I don't know the official legal name of the law covering wakes, but when

my
son's in the boat, I call it "attempted murder". One of these days,
someone's gonna get a bullet in their fuel tank.

Do something about that, wherever you work.

I'm not sure of the actual name of the statute (as I said I'm new at this
aspect of policing), but I know it exists. Part of my training was with

the
Coast Guard, and I remember the instructor really driving his point home
about boaters being responsible for their wake. One of his examples was a
woman drinking coffee on her husband's boat. Some schmuck flew past them

and
she spilled her coffee on her lap resulting in burns. The operator of the
other boat was heavily fined and also came under civil suit. I will
definitely keep an eye on the wakes of vessels. Thank you for your input.


When you stop those people, always begin the conversation with "please kneel
on the deck and keep your hands where I can see them". Fear is good.

This is why I'm not a cop. I'd execute people for allowing their dogs to
roam the neighborhood unsupervised.



Doug Kanter December 14th 03 05:53 AM

Police Marine Units
 
"swatcop" wrote in message
m...

That's a good idea. Include proper anchors in the list of necessary

toys.
I've had the CG look over my yacht and check everything EXCEPT the

anchor.
I
can't tell you how many times I've had to hoist MY anchor to get out of

the
way of some putz with an undersized anchor whose boat starts drifting

and
threatening other anchored boats because the guy's motor won't start

fast
enough.

Fishing is my church. Nobody disturbs my worship with my whining about

it.
:-)

Alrighty then. I'm actually writing down everything that I get out of my
inquiry, so thank you for your input.


By the time we're done with you, you may regret having asked for input. :-)



Doug Kanter December 14th 03 05:56 AM

Police Marine Units
 
"John Gaquin" wrote in message
...

"Doug Kanter" wrote in.


That's a good idea. Include proper anchors in the list of necessary

toys.
I've had the CG look over my yacht and check everything EXCEPT the

anchor.

I don't know where you are, Doug, but the requirement to have an anchor
aboard is not Federal. Many states have placed their own requirement for

an
anchor, and generally the CG will include the anchor as required in those
states.



Well, then people without anchors should be tried on the spot by the nearest
12 *other* boaters. If judged to be stupid, they should be fed day-old
unrefrigerated nightcrawlers.

I have spoken.



Doug Kanter December 14th 03 06:27 AM

Police Marine Units
 
"Clams Canino" wrote in message
news:4uNCb.533010$HS4.4073001@attbi_s01...


Speaking of the ramp, I don't know how enforcable it is (perhaps via
loitering laws hehe) but some of the idiots that tie up / slow down the
ramps need a ticket for *something* LOL.


I know what you mean. There's a whole list of behaviors which fall into the
category of "general lack of consideration", like warming up your 17 year
old Chevy Blazer for 20 minutes right outside your neighbor's open window,
because you think them darn EPA hippies are wrong about fumes being bad for
you.

At one of our local ramps, there's some sort of unofficial thing that goes
on. Officially, they have nubile babes collecting the ramp fee. And
officially, boaters are "advised" by 2-3 old guys who look like they spent
the last 6 months in a life raft. Mostly, they spend their time reminding
the illiterate that ramps are designated for "in" or "out" depending on
traffic, and that the "IN" and "OUT" signs mean (quizzically) "In" or "Out".
UNofficially, these old guys are usually accompanied by equally ancient
buddies who hang around helping kids with bait, or showing newbies how to
operate a cleat. You can sort of tell who's who by the presence or absence
of polo shirts with the township's emblem. ANYWAY....this crew of life raft
veterans does a good job of mildly embarrassing morons at the ramp. Imagine
Don Rickles, toned down by 50%.

My first time at the ramp, this young woman backs her PWC into the water and
ties it up right at the bottom of the ramp. Why move it down to the end so
someone else could launch while you park, especially since there were 30
cars waiting. She parks her car and sits in it for about 5 minutes doing
something to her hair. Meanwhile, nobody can move. One of the old guys yells
to her "Are you gonna get a manicure too, 'cause there are people waiting
but I could see if they'll come back tomorrow". Needless to say, she ended
her beauty parlor routine instantly. You can't argue with a 100 year old man
who obviously knows what he's talking about. :-) There was much laughter
from the waiting cars.

Other nonsense: Signs all over the parking area say "Boaters Only - Vehicles
Without Trailers Will Be Ticketed". All day long, people come up to the
booth and ask the attendant "Do ya think I'll really get a ticket? I don't
have a trailer". Sometimes they approach the cop who's writing tickets and
ask if they can just park for a couple of hours without getting a ticket.
:-)

I really want to make a movie about this stuff. I need a catchy title. The
dumbest people will be featured in the movie without their permission.
Especially the monkeys who, on a really busy afternoon, let their 4 kids run
up and down the dock with fishing poles while other boaters are scrambling
to get in or out and make way for the next person. Or, the knuckleheads who
need help docking on a windy day, and when they toss you their line, it's
always 2 feet shorter than the distance from the boat to the dock. Wouldn't
want to buy a 15 ft rope when a 3 footer will work just as well. Sort of.
:-)




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