Sandbar Monkey

We got boarded by the coast guard last month in the Florida Keys on the way back from a fishing trip. A CG guy proceeded to board us and did a "safety" inspection. We passed that with flying colors. Then he then wanted to measure our fish. We had caught two smaller dolphin and he proceeds to measure them. Both were fine. He put both fish back into the cooler and proceeded to ask "Do you have any hand sanitizer?" Were we wrong in not having any??

Ironworker

That is exactly the reason I moved from Florida, What the heck does the coast guard have any business boarding a domestic vessel? It was either the CG, FMP, sheriff or DNR. It was a pain in the ass.

icemang

You're lucky they didn't seize the boat man.

Bob's Garage

No, not required, probably just wanted to clean his hands.

Bob's Garage

It's part of their mandate. No big deal. At least for most of us.

Sandbar Monkey

I know, never felt like such a criminal....lol

tomanyboats

I dont understand where they have any juridiction as far as fisheries goes. They have no reason or otherwise about the fish. We get boarded all the time and one guy was afraid to put his hand in the box because we had a shark in there.. pretty funny. I had put 5 rounds of 45 in it, 3 in the sharks head, he was quite dead.

DogsOfWar

Did they also ask for tampons?

maxim1010

You can't be serious, talk about overreacting....and where did you move that you can boat that does not have the coast guard? Been boating in FL for 10 years and have never been boarded period (by anyone) and see them (CG,sheriff,FWC) all the time as there are 2 base(CG)very close.

And I'm sure that you'd be the first crying when they chose not to rescue your "domestic vessel" when you have a emergency. Watch what you wish for!

kcart55

Is the Coast Guard responsible for enforcing fishing laws?

v12mac

No, you are not a bad boater. Possibly a bad fisherman by tht standards though.

kyle1974

tell him to stop being a pussy and wash his hands off in the sea water like everyone else does

CB Haws

I swear most of you guys must be crack heads. The USCG can board you any time,any place, for what ever they want. They are the first in line for enforcing Federal Fishing regulations. Like tunas, swords and the like.
Plus you every get in trouble they attitude is "we will always go out; we may never come back.
After you put down the crack pipe please reinsert your tampons.

bradmd

I wish he'd ask for that on my boat. I'd hand him the unlabled bottle of shedder crab oil or menhaden oil.

"yes, and you mr smartass are going to jail today"

Fiberglass1 Inc

Yeah but, just wait till you need them in the middle of a disaster. For the most part they're just kids, really, and they're serving their country. I just can't find any fault in that. In fact, when they wanna board me I try and be as accomodating as possible, thank them for their service, ask them how their parents fell about them being away so long, etc., etc., and it usually ends in a handshake and good feelings. And frankly, I'm not the most law abiding citizen out there! Anyway, I'm glad to have 'em.

Chiliando

Were they rude or incompetent? If not then what is the bi deal. I don't mind an occasional boarding as long as they do their job and are respectful.

I might need them one day.............

one4uf

Agreed. Who cares if they boarded? I've been boating in FL for 20+ years and although we see sheriff/FWC/USCG and city police just about every time we go out, never been boarded or even stopped. If you don't have anything to hide, it shouldn't be a big deal.

icemang

For god's sake people he was joking around.

Talk about putting the crack pipe down, yeesh.

C. Edmund

yeah he was, and speaking of the crack pipe, those equating a vessel being boarded for no reason with not being rescued in an emergency are being just stupid. We pay taxes to be rescued if need be. That has nothing to do with not wanting to be hassled without provocation. Lot of sheep among supposed lovers of freedom.

BigBone

Turn off the TV and the dangerous NW fishing shows. They don't go out. They aren't SAR anymore, they are Homeland Defense, which itself is a charade. SeaTow has the rescue job now.

People who say they've never been pulled over or boarded...WTF?
I was "pulled over" today because the officer "used to patrol in a boat just like mine."

Nice!