Questions For any Coasties

[Deep C]

Returning from Bahamas had an interresting boarding and spot inpection yesterday. I don't object to the boys doing a random search and all that but>>>

Anytime I have been boarded in the past it is I believe protocol that they ask permission to board then step on. Yesterday I was at about 7knots and they just slid over making contact with my hull and TOLD us two were comming aboard and to maintain speed. That's a touch odd but not really an issue.

They were pressed hard enough against my hull to mar the finish and their heading was enough to risk pushing me out of the channel. That I kind of take exception to...

Next, during their "safety inspection" they dumped the entire contents of my drawers in the salon on the deck. Not pleased with that and really not pleased when they dumped out a garbage bag of garbage in there and just left it...

Today I did the mandatory imogration part of our customs clearance and the customs man was really pissed that not only had they boarded before I had been cleared by customs but also did so while I was flying appropriate quarantine flag. Things escallated to a higher officer and he too was pissed. I informed them that I had informed the coasties that I had not cleared yet and that I was not supposed to let anybody aboard or off until such time as customs had authorized it. I also pointed out the coasties did not seem to know of that protocol. He simply echoed my understanding that once that quarantine flag is displayed that I and my vessel am property of US CUSTOMS until processed....Nobody and I mean nobody is to board or leave that vessel...

The officers were polite enough and were thorough in trying to find something , anything to violate us on. They couldn't because we are clean as a whistle and all is in order aboard our vessel...

My questions... Is what instruction has been given to you regarding the following... Under what circumstance is it proper to trash an innocent civilians boat on a routine inspection?
Under what order are you to ignore direct orders to not engage a vessel under quarantine?
I'm not comfortable with making a stink with their c/o but what would you do or would you just let it go?

[neilinov]

Sounds to me like an order passed down from Mao Bama himeself. Welcome to the NWO United Socialist States of America. Check your bill of rights at the door. You are now a target of Homeland Security. New profiling protocols white guy with a sense of patriotism you are a threat to the new vision of the nation.

[joeksr]

They were pressed hard enough against my hull to mar the finish and their heading was enough to risk pushing me out of the channel. That I kind of take exception to...

Today I did the mandatory imogration part of our customs clearance and the customs man was really pissed that not only had they boarded before I had been cleared by customs but also did so while I was flying appropriate quarantine flag. Things escallated to a higher officer and he too was pissed. I informed them that I had informed the coasties that I had not cleared yet and that I was not supposed to let anybody aboard or off until such time as customs had authorized it. I also pointed out the coasties did not seem to know of that protocol. He simply echoed my understanding that once that quarantine flag is displayed that I and my vessel am property of US CUSTOMS until processed....Nobody and I mean nobody is to board or leave that vessel...

their c/o but what would you do or would you just let it go?

I'd file a complaint.
Custom's man was pissed ?
They boarded without authorization ?
Actually in VIOLATION.

Nail em before they do something else they should'nt.

[Capt_John]

Sounds to me like an order passed down from Mao Bama himeself. Welcome to the NWO United Socialist States of America. Check your bill of rights at the door. You are now a target of Homeland Security. New profiling protocols white guy with a sense of patriotism you are a threat to the new vision of the nation.

What does what just happened have anything to do with the president? And don't get me started on profiling.

Deep, I'd write a nice letter explaining your concerns making sure you note the place and time of the boarding so they know who did it. Other than that, not much else you can do as far as I know.

[Deep C]

Their presence was very heavy at Bimini the day before. Chopper hovering and guy in door way snapping pictures of all boats in harbor. Then they really concentrated on the south island, circling real low to the tree tops. Today I heard they were in force stopping boats while fishing even between Palm Beach and Jupiter... Somethings cooking but that still doesn't explain breaking federal mandate. Quarantine means just that. Nobody in or out except agency that imposes it. And it sure as hell doesn't justify dumping a bag of garbage and six drawers of crap on the deck in the salon...

I have a way high up friend in there and I fired him details... It would be interresting to hear what he has to say.

[neilinov]

Capt John
Homeland security has been given new profiling protocols to keep the nation safe. They started right before the tea parties. The bigest threat to the nation in the new administration is anyone who believes in the constitution and has previously defended it. There will always be profiling, it is an effective way to defend against a threat. The new administration sees patriotic Americans as a threat to their socialist views so they will go after them this way.

The Deep C is a white guy that is running an expensive boat and has publicly stated that he is a gun owner. This fit the profile that is a threat to their ideaology so homeland security was tasked to assess the threat. The administration has yet to form their civilian army so they rely on the assets already in place. The coast guard was working on orders to ascertain the threat to the nation.

[marine4003]

Capt John
Homeland security has been given new profiling protocols to keep the nation safe. They started right before the tea parties. The bigest threat to the nation in the new administration is anyone who believes in the constitution and has previously defended it. There will always be profiling, it is an effective way to defend against a threat. The new administration sees patriotic Americans as a threat to their socialist views so they will go after them this way.

The Deep C is a white guy that is running an expensive boat and has publicly stated that he is a gun owner. This fit the profile that is a threat to their ideaology so homeland security was tasked to assess the threat. The administration has yet to form their civilian army so they rely on the assets already in place. The coast guard was working on orders to ascertain the threat to the nation.

Now,THATS taking conspiracy & paranoid to a new level...We all shout out we want a tough stance on terrorists & drugs, well , that's the price,most coasties are kids,19-20 yrs old,overworked ,stressed kids,so you want a safe nation ,free from drugs,terrorists threats,illegal immigrants,bio-weapons,backpack nucks ect...but archiving this will certainly cause some uncomfortable situations...quarantine?...as opposed to the above....get over it, those boys are watching your 6. 24-7.

[Bligh]

They have a lot more power under homeland security than the department of transportation. They are over stepping their power. In the late 80s I entered holiday isle, Islamorada Fl late in the dark after a late start from boca. No problem been there before. Before the owners of the boat were up to go fishing I went out to throw net some bally. On the way in and its not even 7 am yet and im late to pick up the owner and his party. The Islamorada CG wanted to know what foriegn port I was comming from and Why I didnt have a Quarantine flag up. I explained my situation verbally as they were 5 feet from my transom and they wanted to board in the narrow coral lined chanel and search the boat. I said No and we could either head back out to wider deeper water or into the harbor and they could seach all they want. I then asked them to call holiday isle and they would learn I had been there since yesterday. They were overly concerned I was running drugs from enougher country.I was clean. Less then a year later MOST of that station was found to be corrupt and many were found guilty of taking payoffs from drug runners. They were trying to shake me down at the time and I was clean as always. A couple years later they caught even more bad CG at the same station. I have a son who has been to Iraq and works for homeland security both in training airmarshals and for the TSA and he says they always try to go out of their way to be as nice and unthreatning as they can. Not the CG? And he is a good shot. but doesnt have to threaten innocents about it.

[giantfan]

Welcome back Deep....

Sorry to hear about your encounter with the CG.... glad to see your back stateside safe and sound.

[docjr03]

I'm a former coastie and was stationed down that way for about 3 years, so I'll weigh in with a few thoughts. Forgive the lack of coherency as I am a little pressed for time-

1) it sounds like you got boarded by a small boat from a station as a cutter would have hailed you on the radio first and probably resolved the customs issue first

2) they really can't open drawers without permission or probable cause

3) messing up someone's boat is never acceptable, and we were trained as coxswains and boarding officers how not to do that.

4) I used to jokingly classify boarding officers into 2 types: one that felt empowered by their weapon and one that felt responsibility because they carried a weapon... you can interpret that how you want

5) there should be some contact info. on the paper work they left if you want to talk to a decision maker

I am proud of my service in the USCG and a better man for it, so I am sorry to hear your experience was not a good one.