wrote:
Enroute from Seattle to Poulsbo, (to do a little "holiday" shopping),
we got hauled down by the Coast Guard in Port Madison.

... snipped for brevity ...


We have been frequrent visitoris's to the Florida Keys the past number
of years. Usually we are there during lobster season, including the mini
two-day season. We had had days when we had been boarded & inspected at
least 3 times per day. The past two years, I've not even seen a Marine
Patrol boat in our area.

I completely understand the need to perform the checks, but in the
normal course of a boating day, what rights does a boat owner have to
say 'no, you can not board my vessel'? The times we got stopped multiple
times per day, it was a different agency each time. I understand and
agree to a point what they are doing during that time of the year. Heck,
I think they have more work to do than most realize, but that is topic
for another thread.

I had thought that similar to a search of private property, such as a
vehicle or a house, law enforcement can not simply search because they
are in the neighborhood, or in this case, passing you in the channel.

I have never yet denied the request to check, heck I ain't hiding
anything, but where does one's rights apply? A link or official website
would be greaty appreciated.

On Sun, 04 Dec 2005 23:57:05 GMT, DownTime
wrote:

I had thought that similar to a search of private property, such as a
vehicle or a house, law enforcement can not simply search because they
are in the neighborhood, or in this case, passing you in the channel.

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

In theory, only the USCG has the right to board and inspect your
vessel without probable cause. It's not easy to do, but if more
people would "just say no", some of this nonsense might stop
eventually.

Here in Michigan, the law was amended in 2002 and now states:.. The
operator of the vessel shall do the following upon the request of the
peace officer:..... If the vessel does not bear a decal described in
section 80166a or an equivalent decal issued by or on behalf of another
state, submit to a reasonable inspection and test....." The decal
referenced is the VSC decal, from the Auxiliary or the Power Squadron,
and now used by all DNR and County marine patrols (yes, they all use
the IDENTICAL decal!!).

So, if you have a current decal and there is no cause, you will not be
inspected on Michigan waters by different agencies. (Note: this is
state law, and the CG is not subject to it, so they can inspect as they
please).

See
http://www.legislature.mi.gov/mileg....166&highlight=

AFAIK, Michigan is the only state that codified benefits to receiving a
Vessel Safety Check and receiving a decal when all requirements are
met.

Bud - US Coast Guard Auxiliary 9CR