USCG and Fishing WA-gctid803453

[CptCrunchie]

FYI, I just received this in an email from our fishing club secretary.

"I learned something new yesterday. (My friend) and I were fishing with (boat owner) at Freshwater Bay. The Coast Guard paid a call. They are working a program in the Strait checking not just safety stuff, but for what boats are transporting across the Canadian border (if anything) and checking for outstanding warrants and immigration status. If they find any, 'they take you away'."

She got this from the 'horses mouth', so to speak. Take you away? No fines? Normally, they just check safety gear and registration. Wow! That IS new.

[boatworkfl]

"CptCrunchie" post=803453 wrote:
FYI, I just received this in an email from our fishing club secretary.

"I learned something new yesterday. (My friend) and I were fishing with (boat owner) at Freshwater Bay. The Coast Guard paid a call. They are working a program in the Strait checking not just safety stuff, but for what boats are transporting across the Canadian border (if anything) and checking for outstanding warrants and immigration status. If they find any, 'they take you away'."

She got this from the 'horses mouth', so to speak. Take you away? No fines? Normally, they just check safety gear and registration. Wow! That IS new.

Good for them! I do not ever mind being stopped on the water, I have all the required safety equipment required and more.

No drugs not prescribed, no illegal fish, or illegal or wanted passengers to the best of my knowledge.

[Alaskanmutt]

I dunno......

Wife is from Seward, you know how them women are.....

[boatworkfl]

"Alaskanmutt" post=803487 wrote:
I dunno......

Wife is from Seward, you know how them women are.....

Well Seward is a town of a variety people that do not care unless it affects them, then there is the city council which in the past was so council members can get freebies from the tourist industry, then there are the slip holders, charter boats and many private boats, we in the harbor get along quite well.

The harbor has changed and does very well for us slip holders, the employees are very friendly and willing to please when possible!

We have one of the lowest slip rates in the state.

[Pcpete]

In my "sale pending" 1980 Encounter Sunbridge I was stopped several times in the San Juans by both the USCG and Homeland Security. The last time HS stopped me I was paying attention to a vessel approaching from my port, a thirty odd foot old bridge deck, that I ended up adjusting my course for crossing Haro Straight. I was running my customary 25kn when I heard this strange double buzz and these guys are running so close to my stern quarter they cost almost step aboard. It's important to note I was LEAVING the US. We had a nice conversation and I went on my way.

It's going to be interesting to see if they are as interested in our 3818.

[green650]

Coast Guard is under DHS so they have broad authority. And you never know who is going to be onboard. They might have someone from fish and feathers, BP, local LEO, or even the Canadian Coast Guard so they can patrol both sides of the line. The beauty of the Coast Guard is they don't need any reason to get on board and do a safety check.

http://www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/ibet-eipf/shiprider-eng.htm

[Guest]

Last year I was boarded by NOAA they were checking for safety items and halibut limits they also checked our fishing licences.

I have a 2859 and they even checked my little stateroom, the frig, both coolers and engine room.

I didn't mind them checking but 4 hours earlier the coast guard boarded and done the same thing.

It was a week day and not many boats out so I guess they got bored.

All enforcement agencies are now under Home Land Security

When it comes to a boat in the water you have no rights.

Make sure you check the laws before you get testy with any of them cause they can cause you a lot of grief.

I guess they are just trying to make us safe.

Skeeter

[green650]

You do have rights and unless you were 3 miles offshore I don't think NOAA had any authority to board and search your vessel. They are part of the department of commerce. Problem is a lot of the LEO's don't stay in their lane's and like to do whatever they want. Also each agency is on their own frequency working in the same area so they don't know if a person has been pulled over already 3 times. Imagine if city police and highway patrol where allowed to pull anyone over just to check for safety items and registration. I always carry my badge and gun so when I'm pulled over by anyone I let them know, this telks them they cant bully me into consenting to a search. I have some coworkers that left NOAA after the Boston whaler incident a few years back.

http://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/luxury-noaa-undercover-boat-got-more-use-as-pleasure-cruiser/

[Pcpete]

Sounds like they were also less that knowledgeable skippers. Stupid is as stupid does.

[PugetScott]

Good info to know. Thanks gents. Not that I have anything to hide, but good to know they are doing this. Now I won't wonder what attracted them to our boat should be be this 'lucky.'

[Pcpete]

It's those shiny props....

[CptCrunchie]

"green650" post=804134 wrote:
You do have rights and unless you were 3 miles offshore I don't think NOAA had any authority to board and search your vessel. They are part of the department of commerce. Problem is a lot of the LEO's don't stay in their lane's and like to do whatever they want. Also each agency is on their own frequency working in the same area so they don't know if a person has been pulled over already 3 times.

I can beat that. Back in 2010, on a gorgeous and sunny day, with 3 of us onboard, I was boarded 6 times by 5 different agencies while fishing the humps and Freshwater Bay.

First it was WDFW at around 9am. They checked out all my gear, hooks, licenses and wells. Surprise! ....Everything was in order. B)

An hour later, the USCG boat pulled us over. They checked out all our safety gear, registrations, bilges, even pointed out my flares were about to expire. Then they asked for our personal identification. I almost asked them if we were under arrest, because I didn't have to comply, ....but the one asking was a very nice lady with a great smile. B)

Twenty minutes after they'd left, the Border Patrol in their $1,000,000 pontoon boat, the one with the 4 - 300hp outboards on it, pulled us over. They too wanted our ID. With our drivers licenses in his hand, the officer actually asked us what we were doing out there. I was stunned. I actually thought he was kidding. However, it was as if they refused to acknowledge the downriggers and fishing gear strewn all over the deck, ...as if we would lie to them anyway. By this point, I became visibly annoyed, and said as much. Undaunted, they completely ignored me, then went through the entire boat, even checking what was in the fridge! They found nothing.

Around 1pm, the Clallam County Sheriff arrived. They were the only boat that didn't board us. They just wanted to know who was onboard and where we each lived. Then one of them asked if we'd caught anything. I proudly hoisted a nice 15lb Chinook. They smiled, waved and motored off.

The NOAA boat stopped by next. They came aboard to check out our catch. As they did, we played 20 questions. Where had we fished, what depths, what bait and lures, speed of troll, yadda, yadda, yadda. Tired of having to stop and retrieve all my gear for the fifth time just so they could rationalize a day on the water, I was anything but friendly.

But lastly, and this was by far the stupidest stop, ....we were again boarded by WDFW. When they pulled up, I refused to stop, shouting to them that they had already visited me. The guy on the deck got real angry. We raised our gear and stopped.

Once onboard, I asked him why "the hell" he would need to come aboard again, since he'd already been there 6 hours before. His response? "Well, you could have changed your gear." A Ron White phrase shot through my brain, 'You can't fix stupid!' Rather than get angry, I laughed. He was not impressed when I did.

Thankfully, that was the only time that happened. The most I've been boarded since is twice in one day, USCG and Border Patrol, which typically happens about twice a year. Personally, the Coasties are great, ....but the BP guys could use a serious course in public relations.

[boatworkfl]

USCG when operating often have a state fish and game or other authority with them, if fishing for a fish like halibut the USCG has the authority to operate in state waters.

Same with border control.