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From: Robert J. Matter <rjmatter_at_PRODIGY.NET>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paid rescues?
Date: Sun, 01 Oct 2000 13:39:51 -0500
At what point does the Coast Guard take over from various local marine patrols?

When I was in The Keys in January preparing to launch from a rocky shoreline with a 1' chop, some kind of Florida marine patrol vessel (not USCG) with a frogman standing on the bow did a "drive by" to make sure I was ok.  I gave a friendly wave to let them know I was all right.

I see various local authorities like that all the time.  Usually a marine branch of the local police or sheriff's department.  Any of them charging for rescues?

-Bob Matter
Hammond, IN

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From: Kirk Olsen <kolsen_at_imagelan.com>
subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Paid rescues?
Date: Mon, 2 Oct 2000 12:46:35 -0400 (EDT)
On Sun, 1 Oct 2000, Robert J. Matter wrote:

> When I was in The Keys in January preparing to launch from a rocky 
> shoreline with a 1' chop, some kind of Florida marine patrol vessel (not 
> USCG) with a frogman standing on the bow did a "drive by" to make sure I 
> was ok.  
> 
> I see various local authorities like that all the time.  Usually a 
> marine branch of the local police or sheriff's department.  Any of them 
> charging for rescues? 

wandering away from the question...

Haverhill Massachusetts is in the running for the most overprepared 
harbormaster.  I believe he supplies all of his own equipment.  He's got 
a air boat, a hovercraft, at least one large wheeled amphibious vehicle, 
and a helicopter.  And that's just the equipment I've seen in use.  
Haverhill is about 15 miles from the ocean.  All of this equipment is 
used on a river that is about 100 yards wide as it flows through town.  I 
would guess 25 boats are moored in the area he protects.  

I've been in a couple of canoe races that run through the area.  The 
harbormaster and his assistants are by far the most dangerous aspects of 
paddling through the area.  They've come close to swamping me a couple of 
times.

kirk

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