Hi Everyone,
I had a somewhat lengthy encounter with 3 FWC agents last night. I thought I would post on how it went. Any critique will likely be ignored as I will always be a work in progress, although I do try to improve. First off I am very well versed in the laws as it affects boating and fishing. (recreational and commercial) I also respect and obey each and every one to the best of my ability.
I was cruising the inlet flat about ½ mile southwest of the inlet trying to skip a pompano by sweeping my spotlight across the water periodically. (not exactly in stealth mode) It was a full moon and overhead at that, so I saw a large boat approaching with no lights. It was the FWC and at about 100' away, they hit me with the spot light and flashed the blues on at the same time. I waved and shut down waiting for them to come over. They asked what I was doing and said they wanted to do a safety check. I said okay and pulled my pfd with a strobe light and whistle as well as reflectors out from under my seat and handed it to them. I also showed the new condition cushion I was sitting on. They asked for the registration and I got it out of the locker. It is in a watertight screw lid spice jar, rolled up and tied with a thick red twist tie. It looks real cool. I unrolled it and handed it over. Now they ask how long is my boat and I respond "It is 15'11" by design". No one has noticed it is registered commercial on the registration, which they have retained. When they mentioned the life jacket had some upgrades I said it is Coast Guard required for commercial boats. Now they see the commercial registration and say "you are supposed to have a throwable with a line attached". I say "On less than 16"?
Now it is .......OooKaaay? Then one gos to the on board library and starts shuffling papers. Next they start to ask about the seine. How long is it? It's 220'. how deep is it? It's 27 meshes deep. How many ft² is it? 495 ft². Who measured it? Me. Then they see the 4 digit number on the buoy and ask about it. I say it is the last 4 digits of my salt water products number. They say I should put the entire number on it as they might need to contact me. (it is a 5 digit number so no problem.) Then I said something I should not have, as I said "That is why I printed my name, address and phone number below it." Anyway they have now decided that I am not a threat to anything other than myself and give me a lecture on wearing a life jacket. That is good information and I will do that "for me and my wife". There are several out there that are built for comfort so why not? I always do wear the kill switch lanyard. I have a 2' extension on it so I have a little freedom to move around. Here is what was really happening. A senior officer was training a couple of poopies and not enjoying it very much. He has decided to demonstrate on an old shellback and it's going only fair. If I had picked up on it sooner I could have made it a tiny bit better for everyone. Thanks for reading and sharing my encounter with the law.
Best regards,
Frankk
I had a somewhat lengthy encounter with 3 FWC agents last night. I thought I would post on how it went. Any critique will likely be ignored as I will always be a work in progress, although I do try to improve. First off I am very well versed in the laws as it affects boating and fishing. (recreational and commercial) I also respect and obey each and every one to the best of my ability.
I was cruising the inlet flat about ½ mile southwest of the inlet trying to skip a pompano by sweeping my spotlight across the water periodically. (not exactly in stealth mode) It was a full moon and overhead at that, so I saw a large boat approaching with no lights. It was the FWC and at about 100' away, they hit me with the spot light and flashed the blues on at the same time. I waved and shut down waiting for them to come over. They asked what I was doing and said they wanted to do a safety check. I said okay and pulled my pfd with a strobe light and whistle as well as reflectors out from under my seat and handed it to them. I also showed the new condition cushion I was sitting on. They asked for the registration and I got it out of the locker. It is in a watertight screw lid spice jar, rolled up and tied with a thick red twist tie. It looks real cool. I unrolled it and handed it over. Now they ask how long is my boat and I respond "It is 15'11" by design". No one has noticed it is registered commercial on the registration, which they have retained. When they mentioned the life jacket had some upgrades I said it is Coast Guard required for commercial boats. Now they see the commercial registration and say "you are supposed to have a throwable with a line attached". I say "On less than 16"?
Now it is .......OooKaaay? Then one gos to the on board library and starts shuffling papers. Next they start to ask about the seine. How long is it? It's 220'. how deep is it? It's 27 meshes deep. How many ft² is it? 495 ft². Who measured it? Me. Then they see the 4 digit number on the buoy and ask about it. I say it is the last 4 digits of my salt water products number. They say I should put the entire number on it as they might need to contact me. (it is a 5 digit number so no problem.) Then I said something I should not have, as I said "That is why I printed my name, address and phone number below it." Anyway they have now decided that I am not a threat to anything other than myself and give me a lecture on wearing a life jacket. That is good information and I will do that "for me and my wife". There are several out there that are built for comfort so why not? I always do wear the kill switch lanyard. I have a 2' extension on it so I have a little freedom to move around. Here is what was really happening. A senior officer was training a couple of poopies and not enjoying it very much. He has decided to demonstrate on an old shellback and it's going only fair. If I had picked up on it sooner I could have made it a tiny bit better for everyone. Thanks for reading and sharing my encounter with the law.
Best regards,
Frankk
