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On 03 Feb 2004 14:34:24 GMT, (Capt Lou) wrote:

In Massachusetts, the Environmental Police have the same powers as the state
police. In fact, the Environmental Police are state police and can even give
speeding tickets on the highway.

They do not have the right to stop anyone or any vehicle without probable
cause. Only the Coast Guard or U.S. Customs can stop a vessel without probable
cause.

Sorry - not true. CT DMV and DEP can stop any vessel at any time for
any reason including "spot checks" for proper registration,
environmental reasons (such as littering, excessive exhaust smoke)
and/or safety equipment "inspections" like PFDs, etc. Any other
"inspection" is by "request", but we all know what will happen if you
deny access to your boat - your day will be ruined. In addition, the
DMV and DEP cops in CT and RI are sworn law enforcement officers which
means that for all practical purposes, they are the same as the State
Police.

In the case I mentioned where I was tagged for the dead fire bottle, I
was stopped because there were four guys in my boat (three including
me) and they did a "capacity" and "PFD" "inspection". What was funny
about it was they originally thought we were drinking and they wanted
to do a DUI check, but were somewhat disappointed to find that the
cans being lifted were all Diet Coke. :) I don't allow alcohol on
my boats.

Don't know about other states environmental types.

Later,

Tom
S. Woodstock, CT
----------
"...the tyrannical fascination which angling
holds for all those who have been once initiated
into its mysteries." Rafael Sabatini (1925)

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