USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

Took my newly built 20' Tolman Skiff out today to test new instruments.
Hauled her from N. Tallahassee down to St. Marks River where there
were already about 30 other boat trailers parked.
As soon as I got out of my truck, this older guy walks up in a sorta
blue uniform that said U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and asked if I
wanted a free "courtesy safety inspection". Being proud of my boat and
knowing she is in excellent shape and sorta wanting to show her off I
said "OK". He did say he was not empowered to issue any tickets for
anything. It turns out that he goes to the same church my wife attends
so he sorta knows us. However, during the short "inspection", I
started to feel kinda put-off by it. It was all very friendly and he
did give some good advice on problems with the launch area but I really
began to feel odd about the whole thing.
My boat was still on the trailer so I wonder about his authority and in
reality NOBODY would refuse to get such an inspection. After all, if I
refused he coulda radioed to someone on the water to give me a ticket
for something. Mostly the inspection was insignificant and didnt tell
me anything at all but he made a big deal about paperwork. He wanted
to see my title and since I dont think anybody has such a right except
for law enforcement types and he had no cause to ask I was sorta
put-off. Even worse, he was confused by the lack of a vessel ID number
on a home-built boat and fact that the title did not look like a
standard one.
He gave me a sticker that he insisted on putting on my new paint saying
I had been inspected and said something about this preventing me from
getting stopped by the CG (Really?) What really got me was he
paperwork he filled out with my name, vessell ID stuff and other
things; what the hell is all that for?
It was all very friendly and it was not till I got home later that it
began to gnaw at me that it seemed very weird to be forced to do this.

USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

Frogwatch wrote:
My boat was still on the trailer so I wonder about his authority and in
reality NOBODY would refuse to get such an inspection. After all, if I
refused he coulda radioed to someone on the water to give me a ticket
for something. Mostly the inspection was insignificant and didnt tell
me anything at all but he made a big deal about paperwork. He wanted
to see my title and since I dont think anybody has such a right except
for law enforcement types and he had no cause to ask I was sorta
put-off. Even worse, he was confused by the lack of a vessel ID number
on a home-built boat and fact that the title did not look like a
standard one.
He gave me a sticker that he insisted on putting on my new paint saying
I had been inspected and said something about this preventing me from
getting stopped by the CG (Really?) What really got me was he
paperwork he filled out with my name, vessell ID stuff and other
things; what the hell is all that for?
It was all very friendly and it was not till I got home later that it
began to gnaw at me that it seemed very weird to be forced to do this.

no, we can't force anyone to get an inspection. the reason the
paperwork is filled out is because we have to turn this in to the USCG
base that conrrols our flotillas. they keep track of how many
inspections we do so they know how effective the program is. the USCG
wants to ensure boaters have the opportunity to get an inspection.

the CG does not track anyone's boat nor make the records available to
anyone as a result of this inspection. however, if the active duty CG
inspects your boat they DO keep records and they WILL track this info,
especially if they find violations. since the CG and not the aux has
enforcement authority, there is no way the aux can 'tell' the CG to
issue a citation. the mechanism doesn't exist for this to happen. and
local authorities cooperate with the aux, but since the aux has no
enforcement power, if the aux DOES call law enforcement, it's the same
as any other citizen doing so.

as to getting stopped by the CG with the inspection sticker, the CG, as
a law enforcement agency will stop you if they see you doing something
unsafe, and yes, the sticker will probably reduce your chances of
getting boarded since they know your boat has already been inspected.
they have better things to do than randomly stop boats to do
inspections.

USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:03:18 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

On 1/20/2007 9:33 PM, Frogwatch wrote:
Took my newly built 20' Tolman Skiff out today to test new instruments.
Hauled her from N. Tallahassee down to St. Marks River where there
were already about 30 other boat trailers parked.
As soon as I got out of my truck, this older guy walks up in a sorta
blue uniform that said U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and asked if I
wanted a free "courtesy safety inspection". Being proud of my boat and
knowing she is in excellent shape and sorta wanting to show her off I
said "OK". He did say he was not empowered to issue any tickets for
anything. It turns out that he goes to the same church my wife attends
so he sorta knows us. However, during the short "inspection", I
started to feel kinda put-off by it. It was all very friendly and he
did give some good advice on problems with the launch area but I really
began to feel odd about the whole thing.
My boat was still on the trailer so I wonder about his authority and in
reality NOBODY would refuse to get such an inspection. After all, if I
refused he coulda radioed to someone on the water to give me a ticket
for something. Mostly the inspection was insignificant and didnt tell
me anything at all but he made a big deal about paperwork. He wanted
to see my title and since I dont think anybody has such a right except
for law enforcement types and he had no cause to ask I was sorta
put-off. Even worse, he was confused by the lack of a vessel ID number
on a home-built boat and fact that the title did not look like a
standard one.
He gave me a sticker that he insisted on putting on my new paint saying
I had been inspected and said something about this preventing me from
getting stopped by the CG (Really?) What really got me was he
paperwork he filled out with my name, vessell ID stuff and other
things; what the hell is all that for?
It was all very friendly and it was not till I got home later that it
began to gnaw at me that it seemed very weird to be forced to do this.



You're under no obligation to deal with these people. The few times I
have been "encountered" by USCGA types wanting to inspect, I have told
them no. I think they get brownie points in their clubs for turning in
completed inspection forms.

That's good to know. Have to say this reminded me of "Hand of God"
which I saw last night and the thought of the USCGA having the same
effect as pedophile Catholic priests agave me second thoughts about
buying a boat. Thanks Harry, I'm no longer afraid.
Frogwatch, can you point to some pics of your Tolman?
Sounds like a fun project.

--Vic

USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:03:18 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

On 1/20/2007 9:33 PM, Frogwatch wrote:
Took my newly built 20' Tolman Skiff out today to test new instruments.
Hauled her from N. Tallahassee down to St. Marks River where there
were already about 30 other boat trailers parked.
As soon as I got out of my truck, this older guy walks up in a sorta
blue uniform that said U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and asked if I
wanted a free "courtesy safety inspection". Being proud of my boat and
knowing she is in excellent shape and sorta wanting to show her off I
said "OK". He did say he was not empowered to issue any tickets for
anything. It turns out that he goes to the same church my wife attends
so he sorta knows us. However, during the short "inspection", I
started to feel kinda put-off by it. It was all very friendly and he
did give some good advice on problems with the launch area but I really
began to feel odd about the whole thing.
My boat was still on the trailer so I wonder about his authority and in
reality NOBODY would refuse to get such an inspection. After all, if I
refused he coulda radioed to someone on the water to give me a ticket
for something. Mostly the inspection was insignificant and didnt tell
me anything at all but he made a big deal about paperwork. He wanted
to see my title and since I dont think anybody has such a right except
for law enforcement types and he had no cause to ask I was sorta
put-off. Even worse, he was confused by the lack of a vessel ID number
on a home-built boat and fact that the title did not look like a
standard one.
He gave me a sticker that he insisted on putting on my new paint saying
I had been inspected and said something about this preventing me from
getting stopped by the CG (Really?) What really got me was he
paperwork he filled out with my name, vessell ID stuff and other
things; what the hell is all that for?
It was all very friendly and it was not till I got home later that it
began to gnaw at me that it seemed very weird to be forced to do this.



You're under no obligation to deal with these people. The few times I
have been "encountered" by USCGA types wanting to inspect, I have told
them no. I think they get brownie points in their clubs for turning in
completed inspection forms.

That's good to know. Have to say this reminded me of "Hand of God"
which I saw last night and the thought of the USCGA having the same
effect as pedophile Catholic priests agave me second thoughts about
buying a boat. Thanks Harry, I'm no longer afraid.
Frogwatch, can you point to some pics of your Tolman?
Sounds like a fun project.

--Vic

I appreciate the CG and CGA, but something just doesnt seem right about
this but I am not sure what it is. Being a very long time sailor, I
have only been stopped by law enforcement types 3 times over 20 years
so I am not used to it happening. Maybe they stop powerboats more.

There are pics of my Tolman on the Fishy Fish site. I am David OHara
and the pics are under my name there. It is a 20' Standard Tolman with
a 90 hp Yamaha and 9.9 hp kicker. I built it as a center console.
This is my first foray into power boating and even though I have been
boating all my life I had never piloted a power boat until December
2006 when I launched my Tolman.

USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

The inspector wanted to paste his sticker
on the windshield. I said no.

That's the best place to put it (other than up his as*). That way you can
get it off with ease... no damage to the gel or paint!

--Mike

USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

On 20 Jan 2007 19:52:08 -0800, "Frogwatch"
wrote:


Vic Smith wrote:

Frogwatch, can you point to some pics of your Tolman?
Sounds like a fun project.



There are pics of my Tolman on the Fishy Fish site. I am David OHara
and the pics are under my name there. It is a 20' Standard Tolman with
a 90 hp Yamaha and 9.9 hp kicker. I built it as a center console.
This is my first foray into power boating and even though I have been
boating all my life I had never piloted a power boat until December
2006 when I launched my Tolman.

Thanks. Neat boat. Kudos to you for your efforts.
Must feel particularly good boating in your own handiwork.

--Vic

USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

Harry Krause wrote:

Hey, it's a club, right? Uniforms, secret handshakes, "burgees,"
whatever floats your boat. But not my boats.

well, not exactly. we patrol the areas around nuclear power plants,
chemical plants, etc.. after 9/11 when the active duty side was
carrying guns, the CG aux was the only search and rescue resource in NY
harbor...

auxiliarists, such as myself, have secret security clearances and
handle communications at CG radio stations...

we do more than shake hands.

USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

Yeah, ok. A little finesse, and it's not a problem. It's just a LOT easier
(and faster) to use a straight blade razor to take a sticker off glass.
Kinda my point, and mostly a joke... that you didn't get.

--Mike

"Harry Krause" wrote in message
...
On 1/20/2007 11:01 PM, Mike wrote:
The inspector wanted to paste his sticker
on the windshield. I said no.

That's the best place to put it (other than up his as*). That way you can
get it off with ease... no damage to the gel or paint!

--Mike


There's no problem removing stickers from gel coat without damaging the
gel.

I've only been stopped once on the Bay by the water federales for an
"inspection." It was by a very pretty young Maryland watercop. The guy I
was with worked very hard to get her phone number for a date.

In Florida, the DNR types would station themselves at boat ramps and
insist upon looking in your fish cooler. I approved of that: they were
looking for catch violators and poachers.

USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

On 20 Jan 2007 19:52:08 -0800, "Frogwatch" wrote:


Vic Smith wrote:
On Sat, 20 Jan 2007 22:03:18 -0500, Harry Krause
wrote:

I appreciate the CG and CGA, but something just doesnt seem right about
this but I am not sure what it is. Being a very long time sailor, I
have only been stopped by law enforcement types 3 times over 20 years
so I am not used to it happening. Maybe they stop powerboats more.

There are pics of my Tolman on the Fishy Fish site. I am David OHara
and the pics are under my name there. It is a 20' Standard Tolman with
a 90 hp Yamaha and 9.9 hp kicker. I built it as a center console.
This is my first foray into power boating and even though I have been
boating all my life I had never piloted a power boat until December
2006 when I launched my Tolman.

The courtesy inspection is just that - something being done for you. I've
had several. They don't hurt, no one's out to get you or your boat.

Some folks are a little paranoid. Deservedly so.
--
***** Have a super day! *****

John H

USCGA Courtesy Inspection
 

On Sun, 21 Jan 2007 12:02:13 GMT, Short Wave Sportfishing
wrote:

On 20 Jan 2007 18:33:23 -0800, "Frogwatch"
wrote:

Took my newly built 20' Tolman Skiff out today to test new instruments.
Hauled her from N. Tallahassee down to St. Marks River where there
were already about 30 other boat trailers parked.
As soon as I got out of my truck, this older guy walks up in a sorta
blue uniform that said U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and asked if I
wanted a free "courtesy safety inspection". Being proud of my boat and
knowing she is in excellent shape and sorta wanting to show her off I
said "OK". He did say he was not empowered to issue any tickets for
anything. It turns out that he goes to the same church my wife attends
so he sorta knows us. However, during the short "inspection", I
started to feel kinda put-off by it. It was all very friendly and he
did give some good advice on problems with the launch area but I really
began to feel odd about the whole thing.
My boat was still on the trailer so I wonder about his authority and in
reality NOBODY would refuse to get such an inspection. After all, if I
refused he coulda radioed to someone on the water to give me a ticket
for something. Mostly the inspection was insignificant and didnt tell
me anything at all but he made a big deal about paperwork. He wanted
to see my title and since I dont think anybody has such a right except
for law enforcement types and he had no cause to ask I was sorta
put-off. Even worse, he was confused by the lack of a vessel ID number
on a home-built boat and fact that the title did not look like a
standard one.
He gave me a sticker that he insisted on putting on my new paint saying
I had been inspected and said something about this preventing me from
getting stopped by the CG (Really?) What really got me was he
paperwork he filled out with my name, vessell ID stuff and other
things; what the hell is all that for?
It was all very friendly and it was not till I got home later that it
began to gnaw at me that it seemed very weird to be forced to do this.

Ah - paranoia.

They are out to get you. Now that they have their data, they will
track you and keep you under surveillance - that sticker is really a
tracking device that allows the Coast Guard to follow you everywhere.
Not only that, but the State and Federal governments can track your
movements and monitor your phone calls at your home.

I'd burn the Tolman ASAP.

LOL
--
***** Have a super day! *****

John H