Another sign: I had just finished a 10 mile paddle on the Intracoastal. I was rinsing my boat at the boat ramp when the Coast Guard declared an inspection. They checked serial numbers, life jackets for all passengers, flares and finally I was asked where I kept my first aid kit?! I guess I passed because I was issued a serialized triangular red, white and blue sticker and told to display it on the bow?! Wha? *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Bob Denton wrote: > > Another sign: > > I had just finished a 10 mile paddle on the Intracoastal. I was rinsing > my boat at the boat ramp when the Coast Guard declared an inspection. > They checked serial numbers, life jackets for all passengers, flares Flares? Are flares required? Or is that just an intracoastal thing that doesn't apply to inland lakes and rivers? I understood that a *light* was required (I think it was a white light), but not flares. I carry one of those Petzel (?) headband mount lights in case I end up paddling at night somehow. I gotta life jacket and a first aid kit. I didn't know the first aid kit was required either, but I carry one anyway. Oh and a whistle. I think that is required too. Or at least something that makes noise to signal with. The only time I've used it is to signal powerboaters coming around blind curves when I am paddling on the wrong side of the river to take advantage of slower current conditions. > and > finally I was asked where I kept my first aid kit?! I guess I passed > because I was issued a serialized triangular red, white and blue sticker > and told to display it on the bow?! > > Wha? Ain't never heard of that either. -Bob Matter Hammond, Indiana *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Paddlewisers will remember my post back in April about two of us getting swamped by a jetskier into 40-degree water. (If you don't, the story is on my web page -- see the URL below). We did identify the jetski and its rider, and reported it to the authorities. The jetskier, Benjamin Zeitz, 19, of Indianapolis, IN, was later arrested on three counts of criminal recklessness, and went to court in Steuben County, IN, yesterday. He pled guilty and was sentenced to: $25 fine on each count $125 court costs 1 year jail suspended except for 30 days 1 year probation $160 users' probation must write letters of apology to victims We hadn't expected a guilty plea or a sentencing -- it was a preliminary hearing -- so only one of the four of us was there. He reports that the judge asked the kid, "What on earth were you thinking of?" Frankly, since the did didn't have any prior convictions, I hadn't been expecting jail time, and was expecting a larger fine, instead. But, I'm not complaining, and I'm glad to have the episode behind me. -- Wes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wes Boyd's Kayak Place http://www2.dmci.net/wesboyd/kayak.htm Kayaks for Big Guys (And Gals) | Trip Reports | Places To Go | Boats & Gear --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 6/12/01 12:52:07 PM, boydwe_at_dmci.net writes: << $25 fine on each count $125 court costs 1 year jail suspended except for 30 days 1 year probation $160 users' probation must write letters of apology to victims We hadn't expected a guilty plea or a sentencing -- it was a preliminary hearing -- so only one of the four of us was there. He reports that the judge asked the kid, "What on earth were you thinking of?" >> Wow! Send that judge this way. Maybe the message will get out. So, did the kid answer the question? Joan *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 12:55 PM 6/12/01 EDT, you wrote: >>We hadn't expected a guilty plea or a sentencing -- it was a preliminary >>hearing -- so only one of the four of us was there. He reports that the >>judge asked the kid, "What on earth were you thinking of?" >> > >Wow! Send that judge this way. Maybe the message will get out. >So, did the kid answer the question? That was just a quick post with the first word, and I didn't include all the details. He basically admitted he was showing off for his girlfriend. She was also charged, but is a juvenile and I don't know how that side of the case is going. Hopefully, it will at least teach her to get a better taste in boy friends. -- Wes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wes Boyd's Kayak Place http://www2.dmci.net/wesboyd/kayak.htm Kayaks for Big Guys (And Gals) | Trip Reports | Places To Go | Boats & Gear --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> From: Wes Boyd <boydwe_at_dmci.net> > Frankly, since the did didn't have any prior convictions, I hadn't been > expecting jail time, and was expecting a larger fine, instead. But, I'm not > complaining, and I'm glad to have the episode behind me. Looks like the judge felt jail time would have more impact than paying fines. Could be part of the national trend to crack down on bullies. I hope awareness of his sentence and fines makes it to the general PWC crowd. Would have been nice to see the judge sentence the guy to community service including beach clean-ups organized by local paddling clubs where he would be working alongside kayakers. I wonder if the judge is a fisherman... :-) Jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
At 10:25 AM 6/12/01 -0700, jackie wrote: > >Looks like the judge felt jail time would have more impact than paying >fines. Could be part of the national trend to crack down on bullies. I >hope awareness of his sentence and fines makes it to the general PWC crowd. You could be right on the bullies -- I hadn't thought of it that way. I do know the local conservation officer and the prosecutor hoped to make an example of the kid, and I suspect word will get around. >Would have been nice to see the judge sentence the guy to community service >including beach clean-ups organized by local paddling clubs where he would >be working alongside kayakers. Unfortunately, not enough beaches on public land in this neck of the woods to be able to do much cleanup. But, a nice thought. BTW, I've already had a couple requests asking if it's all right to forward the original post elsewhere. Anyone that wants to, feel free. -- Wes --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Wes Boyd's Kayak Place http://www2.dmci.net/wesboyd/kayak.htm Kayaks for Big Guys (And Gals) | Trip Reports | Places To Go | Boats & Gear --------------------------------------------------------------------------- *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> From boydwe_at_dmci.net Tue Jun 12 12:12 PDT 2001 > >Would have been nice to see the judge sentence the guy to community service > >including beach clean-ups organized by local paddling clubs where he would > >be working alongside kayakers. > > Unfortunately, not enough beaches on public land in this neck of the woods > to be able to do much cleanup. But, a nice thought. Most of the beach cleanup and river cleanup projects include cleanup along private property. Anywhere that debris washes up. Or pulling tires, regrigerators, etc., out of the river beds. I just heard a report on the news that a baby grand piano went floating by in the floods of Houston. Came from a hospital basement that filled up and overflowed. Was one used by the doctors at the hospital who enjoyed picking at tunes during their breaks from a stressful day at the hospital. Imagine pulling *that* out of the bayou during a cleanup... 8-} Cheers, Jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
In a message dated 6/12/01 9:34:24 AM Pacific Daylight Time, boydwe_at_dmci.net writes: > > We did identify the jetski and its rider, and reported it to the > authorities. The jetskier, Benjamin Zeitz, 19, of Indianapolis, IN, was > later arrested on three counts of criminal recklessness, and went to court > in Steuben County, IN, yesterday. He pled guilty and was sentenced Wes, Glad to hear that the local authorities took this seriously and hope the message spreads. Congratulations and thanks for pursuing this. In a similar incident, I recently had a run-in with a power boater here in Orange County, CA and learned a few things that might help others if they are similarly harassed. I was south of the mouth of Newport Beach Harbor, leading a group of 12 down the coast during a Sea Legs class when a power boater pulling two wake boarders passed by us with maybe 60 feet of clearance. The wake boarders were laughing and egging the driver to get closer so they could spray us, and they came much closer than the boat. Not so close to my part of the group as to really scare me, but plenty close enough to make me angry. I started to reach for my VHF, but the boat continued down the coast and I thought we were done with them, so I decided to forgive them one stupid act. A bit later they passed us going back northward at a greater distance, but then they circled around and made another close pass. That was enough. I radioed Newport Harbor Patrol and reported them, then I had to go off radio watch as we were getting ready to land through the surf and I needed to put my radio away. It was only later that my assistant instructor told me that the wake boarders had come within 3 to 5 feet of one of our students during the first pass. This had occurred on the other side of the group where I had no perspective or clear sight, so I'd had no idea of how close they really had come. Upon hearing that, I was really disappointed that I hadn't gotten the word and reported them the first pass. A couple days later I stopped in at the Harbor Patrol/Sheriffs Office and inquired about the incident. They found the report and told me that a boat had responded and that the Patrol Officers had spent 15 minutes with the offenders, but that no citation was issued because the Officers had not witnessed the action. The Watch Commander also told me that the worst they would or could have cited them for was for breaking a boating ordinance such as operating too close. I asked whether the offenders could be filed against for assault or anything else by going to the County Prosecutor, but the WC made it sound like that would be a dead issue. Upon pressing the WC further, I did learn that if we had been present when the officers stopped the boat, I could have issued a citation against them by having the Officer write up the citation and then cosigning it as the complainant. This would have required that I go to court to testify, but I would have been willing to do that to send a message to these guys. Next time I'll know better. Different areas will have different laws or at least different interpretations, and it seems that you always have to press the authorities before they will tell you what you can or must do in order to make the system work for you. But if you're in So Cal and anything like this happens, tell the radio operator when you report the offense that you want to be contacted on Ch 16 when the offenders are stopped so that you can sign a citation against them. Then stay on radio watch and hope for the best. BTW, I don't mean to sound like I'm down on the NB Harbor Patrol. In fact, I've always found them to be very professional, very courteous and very dedicated to maintaining a safe boating environment on our local waters. Happy and safe paddling, Harold *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> > There was no indication this was a voluntary program, though there was > no indication it wasn't. Every boat coming in was being > inspected. There > were around 100 power boats and kayaks. > I've forgotten the exact wording of the original post, and as most of you already know, if the inspections were done by the Coast Guard, it was NOT voluntary. If it was done by the "Auxillary" Coast Guard, it can only be voluntary. The AUX has no authority to issue citations. But, here's the rub - sometimes there will be several "AUX" coasties doing courtesy inspections within the same general area (usually at the ramps), with a regular Coastie standing by not too far away (on the water, 100 yards or so from the ramp), and in contact via radio with the Aux. Anyone who doesn't submit to the courtesy inspection can expect a non-voluntary inspection within moments. The AUX will provide suggestions and helpful information, but won't cite you for violations (although they may urge you to get off or stay off the water until you fix the problem) - the Coasties will do the same, AFTER writing the citation. Kinda like "good cop, bad cop". At least, that's the way it works around here, and that's the way it's explained when you take the "SAFE BOATING" courses the AUX offers to the general public. As a matter of fact, the AUX in this area will even accompany you to a boat "retailer" or to an individual with a boat for sale, and do inspections, provide advice, etc. at no charge. Not many folks take them up on that offer, but they wish more would. Sadly, you see them all over the place on land. But...... I haven't seen one on the water in years. Only see them at water-centered festivals like "Harborfest". Not enough Auxies and/or Coast Guard budget dollars to provide their fuel, and too much water to cover. It's a shame. Rick - Poquoson, VA *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I missed the origional post but Rick covered the Coast Guard and Auxillary aspects pretty well. When I was a reserve officer in the Florida's Game and Fish Commission years ago we would have Courtesy Boat Inspections on land. Usually at a busy boat ramp. People could drive up and we would inspect their equipment. If we found something then we would tell them they had a problem. Since they were on land and not operating the boat we could not cite them. We may have given out stickers if they passed but I can't remember. If they did NOT have what was required by law we would not cite them but there were other officers on the water and if they got pulled over..... Most of the water related agencies in Florida have every available resource on Patrol during the busy summer holidays. We used to have the inspections on these days to try to educate as many people as we could get...... Remember that the Courtesy inspections are just that. The CG or other law enforcement really do want people to have the right equipment, they don't want to jump on people and write a bunch of citations. Usually the people who had the equipment were safer boaters just because they thought about what ifs. Some people wanted their boats inspected to show how much safety equipment they had on board! 8-) PFDs are a very, very big deal. If anything will get written it will be a PFD related violation. The USCG or US law enforcement has the right and power to inspect boats on the water for safety equipment at any time. Its not a Courtesy inspection at that point. 8-) I have only come close to being checked one time while kayaking. The Wildlife Officers saw we were wearing PFDs, had lights on since it was a darkish and did not give us a second glance. The poor little sailboat that had been all but becalmed all afternoon, we paddled past them on the way out and past them again coming back, got written up since they did not have a light producing device after dark. They did not intend to be out after dark but the winds had other ideas. They were not prepared. The officers gave them some information on how to light up the sail along with the paperwork.... Later... Dan McCarty *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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