On 4 Dec 2005 09:17:36 -0800, wrote:

I did get a warning for my horn. Every few years that electric horn
gives out, and in the wet weather we have had the last few weeks it
decided to crap out since the last use and just in time for the CG
boarding. I think I'll look into an air horn.

By all means get the air horn(s). We were boarded by the USCG in
Florida last summer, first time in 40+ years on the water. The young
coastie in charge finally got around to asking about the horn. I told
him we had an air horn. He gave me a skeptical look as though I were
about to pull out a small freon horn so I asked him if he wanted to
hear it. He said yes. Fortunately the compressor driven air tank had
close to full pressure so that when I leaned on the button, the sound
of the twin Buell trumpets was still echoing 10 seconds later. I
asked if that was OK and he smiled and said yes.

Everyone was very polite and professional but it does make you feel
one step closer to a police state. That will make some happy I
suppose.

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
news
On 4 Dec 2005 09:17:36 -0800, wrote:

I did get a warning for my horn. Every few years that electric horn
gives out, and in the wet weather we have had the last few weeks it
decided to crap out since the last use and just in time for the CG
boarding. I think I'll look into an air horn.

Everyone was very polite and professional but it does make you feel
one step closer to a police state. That will make some happy I
suppose.


Personally, I don't feel that I'm closer to a police state, but I don't want
to be boarded. I don't want to be boarded because I'm afraid that they'll
find something missing from the mandatory list. Then I would have to deal
with either a fine or a shut down of my boating day or embarrassment in
front of my guests ...

I do support the idea of training sessions, but it would be nice if they
would ask permission to board and accept the answer given. Of course, if
they had cause then they don't need to ask my permission except out of
courtesy.

On Mon, 05 Dec 2005 00:40:34 GMT, "Bryan"
wrote:

Of course, if
they had cause then they don't need to ask my permission except out of
courtesy.

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

That's the problem. The USCG has long standing governmental
authorization to board any vessel at any time without probable cause -
even in international waters.