Boarded by the CG

Twist

Twist

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Joined
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Age
66
Location
Annapolis MD
Model
Freedom 275
Idling in to Annapolis harbor a few days ago I had the CG approach me and tell they'd like to board for a safety and docs inspection. It wasn't punitive and seemed like a friendly early season "keeping busy" task so I agreed. The first question they asked "did I have a weapon on board." On this day I did not so a couple of pretty friendly guys came aboard and started filling out their paperwork with my docs. They did ask me if I'd ever been stopped before which I hadn't. It's a new boat with the CG kit as delivered so everything was in order and they left me with a copy to show any future random check they they'd already been there, done that. They even told me that if I was headed in for fuel or to meet up they'd follow me in to finish up. Nah, I'm a retired guy with nowhere to be and all day to get there.

It's the first time I've thought about carrying the flares on board and got me thinking that I should go look in to electronic strobes as an alternative.

It did give me an opportunity to talk to them about the CG auxiliary which they run out of their station just a few miles from where I live. That might be interesting to go see what that's all about.
 
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CG Aux will do an annual courtesy inspection and give you a sticker for your boat. As long as you're not doing something stupid they will bypass you. This is helpful in areas where they are doing a lot of checks.
 
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I was boarded at the end of last season. Pretty much the same questions with the addition of asking if I had Boater Safety Certificate proof which I did. Then they asked about PFDs, fire extinguishers. visible and audible devices.
I was given a copy of the inspection report and checklist that I can show if I got boarded again. Seems like inspections have increased. Knowing that helps you remember to keep things up to date ( did you know that fire extinguishers have to be no older than 12 years?) The manufacture year is stamped on the bottom.
Next season I will get an approved electronic signaling device. I still have valid flares.
 
Sardinia306Canyon said:
So, flares are not required in a safety kit?
How far where you from the shore before?
Chris
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It is my understanding that an SOS strobe satisfies the requirement at night and if you add to your kit a distress flag you're good for day or night per the CG regulations. No flares required if you have the strobe and flag.
 
glacierbaze said:
Did they verify that the overboard discharge from your holding tank was physically secured?
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I was boarded this week by the CG also. I am in Jamaica Bay New York. These guys were like the ESU of the CG. Body armor, 9mm Glocks with extra clips, a machine gun mount at the bow the whole 9 yards. Young guys. We were asked if we had an “audible alert device” and my buddy said “you mean a horn?” He said yes. We chuckled and then he asked if I have a “no dumping of garbage overboard sticker”. They had a book open and were following line for line instructions. Clearly they were newbies. The best question was if I have a blower to ventilate the bilge before fueling up. I said that’s for a boat with inboards, I have 2 outboards. Pretty funny but all in all they were good guys. I just received a warning for not having a second fire extinguisher as the one I have is small for my 30 foot boat.
Always good to see the CG and NYPD out there. God forbid we need them at least we know they are there.
 
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Sardinia306Canyon said:
So, flares are not required in a safety kit?
How far where you from the shore before?
Chris
Click to expand...
the OP was near Annapolis which is located in the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland. the upper bay is only about 5-10 miles wide. that area is over 100 miles from the ocean
 
Just got our safety check by the Coast Guard Auxilary. Nice to have a current sticker and all up to date flares, extinguishers, etc.
 
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