FizzyLifter

I've been stopped one time in the last five years. Little over a month ago. Two young guys, stayed about ten feet off and asked to see two life jackets and that was it. Guess I got lucky. Another officer was beached at 17th and asked "Did you catch anything." I said "nah, just some junk fish" and she told us to have a good day. Anyone have a quick reference to what is needed on the boat? I need to check my fire extinguisher as well. Just those things you never think of, until they're writing the ticket I suppose.

What is the law on them boarding your boat? Though in a small 19cc I don't think they'd ask.

ul412al

This type of thing should be easy to solve. Somebody set up a "voting" system on a new thread. List all the FWC officers. If you have a good or bad experience - list it with the officer's name. This way all the good officers get credit and the bad ones can get handled in a more professional manner. Heck, maybe we should give a PFF award to the most helpful FWC officer of the year! :clap

reelthrill

We were leading the SKA gulf division one year and were pulling into Dauphin Island with a big fish when we were stopped my marine patrol. We explained to them that we had a fish on board that was worth literally thousands of dollars and only had 15 minutes to get to the weigh in, (which was only about 400 yards away). One of them made a smart remark and said we are going to "slowly" check everything in your boat. Needless to say, we did not make it to the weigh in and they could not find anything to write us a ticket for. I guess it was because we were from Florida but I really don't know.

Tuna Man

<P class=BodyLarge>EQUIPMENT AND LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS<P class=Body>The owner and/or operator of a vessel is responsible to carry, store, maintain, and use the safety equipment required by the U.S.C.G. safety equipment requirements. <P class=Body>All vessels are required to have onboard a wearable U.S.C.G. approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. The PFDs must be of the appropriate size for the intended wearer, be in serviceable condition, and within easy access. The State of Florida urges all people onboard a boat to wear a life jacket.<P class=Body>Vessels 16 feet in length or longer must also have at least one U.S.C.G approved throwable Type IV PFD that is immediately available in case of a fall overboard.<P class=Body>A child under the age of six (6) must wear a U.S.C.G. approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device while onboard a vessel under 26 feet in length while the vessel is underway. "Underway" is defined as anytime except when the vessel is anchored, moored, made fast to the shore, or aground. <P class=Body>Vessels with built-in fuel tanks or enclosed compartments where gasoline fumes can accumulate are required to carry at least one fire extinguisher (depending upon vessel length) which is approved for marine use.<P class=Body>All vessels are required to carry an efficient sound producing device, such as a referee's whistle.<P class=Body>Vessels less than 16 feet in length are required to carry at least three visual distress signals approved for nighttime use when on coastal waters from sunset to sunrise. Vessels 16 feet or longer must carry at least three daytime and three nighttime visual distress signals (or three combination daytime/nighttime signals) at all times when on coastal waters.<P class=Body>The use of sirens or flashing, occulting, or revolving lights is prohibited except where expressly allowed by law.<P class=BodyBold>Vessel Lighting<P class=Body>Recreational vessels are required to display navigation lights between sunset and sunrise and during periods of reduced visibility (fog, rain, haze, etc). The U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules specify lighting requirements for every description of watercraft. The information provided in the attached link is for vessels less than 65.5 feet/20 meters in length. http://boat-ed.com/fl/course/p4-9_navlights.htm.<P class=Body>A STANDARD COAST GUARD BOARDING
A signal to stop, or commonly to slow on a safe heading, may be by loadhailer, VHF radio, flaghoist, flashing light, or rotating blue light and siren. It should be noted that ships on patrol at sea generally avoid radio use and when used will generally identify themselves by just "Coast Guard" rather than by name.

A boarding party from a cutter will be transported by small boat, generally an inflatable.
The first question generally will be "Do you have any weapons aboard?" The intent is not to confiscate, but simply to identify where they are. Identification for all crew will be requested.

Serious violations can result in arrest and seizure. Generally, they are for drugs, drug paraphernalia, outstanding warrants, vessels configured for smuggling, operating a boat while intoxicated, reckless and negligent operation, illegal aliens or currency violations (over $10,000 in cash without filing a report with Customs), illegal firearms (fully automatic weapons or sawed-off shotguns) or other contraband.
Minor violations are most often the most obvious ones that are easily seen: registration number errors, negligent operation such as "bow riding", or lack of lights at night. Lack of sufficient personal flotation devices (PFD's) and lack of sufficient fire extinguishers are both very common, and potentially very dangerous.

THE COAST GUARD PRIDES ITSELF ON ITS HUMANITARIAN SERVICES - SEARCH AND RESCUE
Even though no one likes to be boarded, most people's experience is that boardings are conducted in a professional and courteous manner, minimizing inconvenience. Although there has been in some instances, cries of "unconstitutionality", it should be made clear that a boarding officer, under law, does have the unquestionable right to come on board a vessel. Most often, as a courtesy, he will ask permission, but it is not required to have the vessel's master give permission for him to board.

Boardings are Not specifically for just safety, zero tolerance or other drug related matters, but are to ensure conformance with all applicable federal laws. These involve, safety, required equipment, environmental issues, drugs,. licensing, firearms, currency, communications, customs and other pertinent laws. Most federal law applies to U.S. registered vessels and citizens wherever they may be. Some laws apply only within U.S. territorial waters.

In most cases, only an inspection is authorized upon boarding, not a search. The difference is significant. The boarding officer may look at those things covered by the applicable law. This may include things like wiring runs or fuel and sewage piping systems as well as safety equipment. The boarding officer may also look into any man-size space to account for all the crew for his own safety. He may NOT search personal gear, people, closed areas, voids, drawers or luggage without the master's consent, or, <P class=Body>THE DEVELOPMENT OF PROBABLE CAUSE.<P class=Body>"PROBABLE CAUSE" TO BELIEVE A CRIME HAS BEEN COMMITTED IS
DEVELOPED AT THE SCENE BASED ON THE FACTS AT HAND.<P class=Body><P align=left>FWC OBJECTIVES<P align=left>It is the objective of the Division to utilize Offshore Patrol Boats to accomplish enforcement goals that in<P align=left>most cases, can not be safely performed by smaller patrol boats as it pertains to the conservation of<P align=left>resources, enforcement of state/federal laws and public safety.<P align=left>http://www.floridaconservation.org/l...rders/GO30.pdf

Hook

Can anyone tell me if you need a Tuna permit for Bonita? I was told it was needed and the M.P. does not know.

Tuna Man

Are you calling Skipjack...Bonita? If so....

NO, Not needed if fished recreational and NOT commercially.

<A name=news245>PERMITS FOR 2007/2008 ARE NOW AVAILABLE</A>

This notice outlines the procedure for obtaining a 2007/2008 Atlantic Tunas Permit, which allows you to commercially fish for and/or retain Atlantic Bluefin, Yellowfin, Skipjack, Albacore, and Bigeye tunas; an Atlantic Highly Migratory Species (HMS) Angling Permit, which allows you to recreationally fish for and or retain any regulated Atlantic HMS (Atlantic tunas, sharks, swordfish, or billfish); or an HMS Charter/Headboat Permit, which is required by vessels taking fee paying passengers fishing for or retaining HMS. The permits issued for the 2007/2008 season will be valid from the date of issuance through December 31, 2008. The permit fee is $28.00,

<A name=news236>Other HMS Recreational Limits </A>

The recreational daily swordfish retention limit is 1 fish per person, with a maximum of 4 fish per private vessel, 6 for a charter vessel, and 15 for a headboat vessel. The minimum size for swordfish within the recreational fishery is 47 inches, lower jaw-fork length. You may not keep longbill spearfish. There are no retention limits for Atlantic sailfish, blue marlin and white marlin, but the NOAA Fisheries encourages recreational anglers to release all billfish alive. The minimum sizes for billfish are as follows: Blue Marlin: 99 inches lower jaw fork length; White Marlin: 66 inches lower jaw fork length; Sailfish: 63 inches lower jaw fork length; Spearfish: Retention prohibited. Lower jaw fork length is a straight line measurement from the tip of the lower jaw to the fork of the caudal fin. The recreational limit on sharks is 1 shark per vessel per trip with a minimum size of 54 inches fork length; plus on Atlantic sharpnose shark per person per trip (no minimum size); plus 1 bonnethead shark per person per trip (no minimum size). None of these fish may be sold. Swordfish and billfish landed must be reported. For swordfish and billfish reporting, call 800-894-5528. For NC and MD landings call 410-213-1531 or 800-338-7804 respectively.