CG auxillary

[nautiduck]

Does the CG auxillary have the authority to stop boats on the water? Several years ago My little brother and I were on and inland lake in other words non navigable nor CG patrolled now this is a rather large lake 40 to 50 miles long a mile or so across in spots and we were in my old 29 Scarab CC running about 55 maybe 60 mph when this boat a 22' bayliner aftcabin( go figure) with a CG aux sign starts coming at us perpendicularly waving us down well we figure maybe they need help or theres been an accident so we stop to see whats going on. There are 3 men on board late 50s early 60s they pull alongside and start yelling at us saying we were going to fast and saying that they are going to board my boat and inspect and search it. Now please understand I am always very accomadating to to the CG and DNR and all the other boat police who are out there but these people just pissed me off we were on a lake in the middle of nowhere we werent near any campgrounds we werent in a no wake zone and there arent any speed limits on this lake. Well I get a little "irratated" because of them screaming at me and tell them to get bent when my brother steps in and after pulling his "im actually an active member of the CG on vacation" ID. He then proceeds to inform them that they are way out of bounds not on USCG patrolled water and do not have the authority to stop people regardless. Well these people tell us that is not the case and one actually tries to board my boat well at that point I came unglued pushed him back in his boat push them off start mine and proceeded to find a fish and boat officer. We did and informed him of what happened and he said he would look into it. Now that was on an inland lake. What real authority do they have on navigable waters or are they strictly for courtesy inspections and to help with searches and the like. I have seen them stop boats that were too close to blow boat race courses and such are they allowed to do that? I dont want to be disrespectful but a few have put them on my bad side.

[Randy Stinchcomb]

I think as it is written, they have the right to board you, if they sea you or someone else operating a boat in a unsafe manner but they do not have the right to pull you over on the water and do a random boarding

[budddavid]

Nope. They have no such authority. I'm sure that many members are very knowledgeable, experienced, and wise however I have yet to meet them and continue to be amazed at the poor level of seamanship that many coast guard auxiliary members demonstrate. I'm sure it is like anything where the idiots of the bunch get the most attention while the skills of the majority are overlooked but they funny.

I swear that Bayliner must offer discounts to this group because at least half that I see are running them.

God Bless the CG Auxilary, My post holiday rant

[giantfan]

I don't think that they do have the right to board you. They come across like they do, but if you protest they don't have the right.

What they do have the right to do is call the coast gaurd and they will come a runnin.

Don't get me wrong, I give the Aux a lot of props. They are out there all the time in the Aug heat wearing navy blue long pants, shirts, and black combat boots all day long, using their personal vessels.

They are out there to help us, and god bless them for that.

[nautiduck]

Ive never seen them in any thing but shorts and T-shirts just cruising around and they always seem to be retirees with to much time on their hands. Most of the ones Ive dealt with have been on the great lakes other than the above incident and a few times at the coast.

[giantfan]

Wow,

Around here they are all wearing uniforms.

[OUTCAST1]

They are a volunteer organization, funded primarily by private donations, plus some minor equipment received from USCG. They do great work in safety inspections (voluntary) and safety training, patrolling regattas, etc. They have neither the training nor authority to engage in any law enforcement activities.
Corrections welcome.

[nautiduck]

Outcast that is what I always understood and also what my brother told me while he was in the Coasties. But corrections are always appreciated.

[clt_capt]

Don't get me wrong, I give the Aux a lot of props. They are out there all the time in the Aug heat wearing navy blue long pants, shirts, and black combat boots all day long, using their personal vessels.

They are out there to help us, and god bless them for that.

I agree with that, but seeing some of those guys on the water and handling their boats is downright scary

[Satans_Chariot]

they had a half dozen of them proctoring my license exam. talk about painful. if you had to take a piss you needed to raise your hand, one of them would come over and give you permission to go. the agony of it all was these folks were definitely of the elder variety and it took them about 20 min to shuffle from one side of the gym to the other.

i appreciate them doing their safety inspections, keeps their brother-in-laws off my ass when they are trying to make quota for monthly boardings.