*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Sunday, the 13th I was out in Tampa Bay area near the skyway bridge trolling around. Out of nowhere came two Coast Guard Inflatables with Twin Hondas flying with sirens blasting. On the Bow of each boat was a mounted 50 Cal, manned, locked and loaded.They were clearing the channel for a ship and they were not saying please. I am just wondering what made this ship warrant the escort out. They certainly weren't the only ship that left and entered that day. Coast guard told boaters they had to be 1000 ft from the channel until this ship passed. Anyone ever seen this?
It could have been a Homeland Security Drill. They do that in Pt Judith with Inflatables, Machine Guns, Etc. They escort the ferry in and out of the harbor. Over 4th of July some guy got on the radio and screamed at the CG for their tactics in the no wake zone. He said "CG enough with the Homeland Security Drills... It is a no wake zone - 5mph and that includes you... My kids are about to fall into the water.." Finally, someone from the coast guard responded "Please call us on a land line"...
One of the unusual sightings on our NJ to Block Island cruise this summer was the Staten Island ferry with an escort of 2 CG inflatables. how sad that the world has come to this necessity. On our way out of NY harbor we followed/cruised alongside a 'panamax' (reeeeel big) cruise ship all the way under the Verazano Narrows Bridge. CG was nowhere to be seen. On the other side of the coin, here we were on a new boat with no US state registration stickers displayed & though the CG saw us many times, we were never stopped & never got got more than a second look.
I was out in Tampa Bay a couple weeks ago and noticed the same thing - a tanker ship coming into port had these inflatable boats around it, like they were keeping others away. I know that you are supposed to stay away from the large ships anyways so they didn't have to scare me away...
I was out in Tampa Bay a couple weeks ago and noticed the same thing - a tanker ship coming into port had these inflatable boats around it, like they were keeping others away. I know that you are supposed to stay away from the large ships anyways so they didn't have to scare me away...
I go by the rule if its bigger than I am ...MOVE...No Machine Gun nesessary. They did not act like they were training..and the ship looked cargo...Just wanted to see if anyone else has seen that happen
If you really want to find out then don't move, flip them off and then when they come over to arrest you demand to know why they didn't say please . Just kidding. I don't think that the general public has the right to know what they are doing it for. Just figure that if they are doing it, there is a good reason. I also see this at Port Canaveral on a daily basis.
__________________ Glacier Bay 2670, Twin Yamaha 150 Four Strokes.
Im almost sure the same thing happens up here in NY Harbor. Dozens of ships pass through every day, and every time I go over the bridge, I can see the little Coasties running around.
I have never boated in the Eastern US waters but out West the US Coast Guard controls our access in and out of our coastal bays. They shut down the coastal bay/bar crossing or restrict it to certain boat length size for sportfisherman. They also patrol the Columbia River in OR and use those RHIB with mounted machine guns. If they need their 47' cutters to help out your in big trouble. IF you cross a restricted area or get to close to Navy ships during the Rose Festival in Protland, OR the USCG is not you friend. Crossing a restricted bar when they have closed it to your size craft brings in a hefty fine plus an all out inspection of your boat if they elect to. I mean they can really levy some heafty fines on you. However, as rough as our West Coast offshore waters are at times we respect and fully appreciate the USCG. They really know their duties when it comes to rescue in our waters. In fact, the USCG has a surf training school at the mouth of the Columbia River. Those Coasties train in the roughest seas for their certifications. The don't call the mouth of the mighty Columbia River the "Graveyard of the Pacific" for nothing.
I've had it happen to me as well. The port of Tampa is one of the biggest Sulphur and Ammonia ports in the world. These ships are the ones carrying these products aboard them. They are trying to keep boats away from these ships for safety reasons......homeland security and other. Hope this info helps
A couple of months ago, the Navy was out and about. My brother was about 5 miles away from the ship. He said that you could hear the Navy fire a couple of rounds. About 45 seconds later, one round landed about a 150 feet away. Bubble trail was awesome. 10-15 seconds later another one splashed about 200 feet away. He got on the VHF and called the Navy Captain. He said that he sees him and that they are doing training exercises. WTF? At him? My brother leaves the good fishing grounds and heads north 5 miles. When he gets there, he calls the Navy to make sure that he is far enough away. The capt. says yes and that they have moved on. Messed up fishing that day.
Team Legend - you're right about the Ammonia. I used to work as a port engineer for a company that operated one of the anhydrous ammonia carriers that discharges at the fertilizer terminals in Tampa. That is some nasty stuff. This stuff is pure NH3 (I think the stuff you use to clean is either a 5% or 10% solution). Just about knocks you out if you get a good whiff of it. The coast guard requires a safety zone around each vessel as they transit the channel. The trade has a very good safety record, but the inherent risk requires some pretty tight security.
That's probably why they were clearing the channel. Post 9/11, I'm sure the security got tighter. Back in '96, all we needed was a tug escort into the harbor, and nothing on the way out.
A couple of months ago, the Navy was out and about. My brother was about 5 miles away from the ship. He said that you could hear the Navy fire a couple of rounds. About 45 seconds later, one round landed about a 150 feet away. Bubble trail was awesome. 10-15 seconds later another one splashed about 200 feet away. He got on the VHF and called the Navy Captain. He said that he sees him and that they are doing training exercises. WTF? At him? My brother leaves the good fishing grounds and heads north 5 miles. When he gets there, he calls the Navy to make sure that he is far enough away. The capt. says yes and that they have moved on. Messed up fishing that day.
Coast Guard was not Saying Please 
. Just kidding. I don't think that the general public has the right to know what they are doing it for. Just figure that if they are doing it, there is a good reason. I also see this at Port Canaveral on a daily basis. 
THT sponsor
