Boat police ticket

M

Monterey10

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12830
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I got a ticket from the USCG while cruising the Oakland Estuary. They were very courteous and gave me a ticket for not having a throwable PFD. The Coxwain said I would receive a letter from the "Adjunct"(?) and would need to show proof of purchase of a throwable PFD. At the next Marina, I had bought the throwable PFD and held onto receipt.

As my April trip was spent under a raincloud, the moisture damaged my copy of the ticket.

Well, 6 months later, no letter. Not wanting to be picked up by the shore patrol, or spending a night in the Oakland City jail, I started calling around. I discovered the phone numbers on the web for Coast Guard didn't work.

I ended up calling Washington. From there, I worked my way through 15 Sacramento, San Franscisco and Oakland offices. I covered the Admiral down to the guy changing the oil on the 41' patrol boat.

At one point, I reached an able seaman who used the CF number from my boat track down the ticket, which he said was "closed". Aparently, the ticket was just a warning.

So, I recommend that you all save yourself an hour on the phone and hang onto your ticket. I can confirm that it's hard to find this information after fact. You're going to work to locate the Coast Guard records unit.
 
Why in God's name you hunted down the CG to find out why they hadn't sent you a letter about your ticket is beyond me, but I was also boarded (in May), also received a ticket for not having a throwable PFD and have also never gotten a letter. While I feel certain that a warrant has not been issued for my arrest, you can bet I won't bother going to the trouble to find out if I'm right or not.
 
I value my time on the water. I don't want any hassles about unfinished business.
 
I would have chased them down also. I got a ticket in the state of Washington a few years ago. I mailed them a check, then called to be sure it got there.

I don't want a clerk to mess up and my $150 ticket is now a $300+ ticket. You are probably right if you say that wouldn't happen, but I don't want to be looking over my shoulder or have the state refuse to renew my driver's license in a few years.

I get paranoid I guess.
 
Be sure to have a line affixed to the throwable cushion. Over the weekend I heard about someone getting a fix-it-ticket from the water cops [not Coasties] because his throwable didn't have a line attached. I'm not sure how long it must be. I'm going to put a 50 ft line on mine. I've also heard of one being cited for not having the throwable close by and immediately available!
 
A type IV throwable must be present on all craft 16' or larger. There is no regulation stating that it needs a line attached to it. The local water cops cannot make up their own versions of Federal regs.
 
I think I heard that Party Boats have to have a line attached - never heard that for pleasure craft...
 
Back in May I got the CG Aux courtesy safety inspection, and they also said that the throwable had to have a line on it. I quickly tied a 20' dock line to it and they gave me the sticker.
 
What the hay, put a line on it and don't worry whether or not the Fed Regs require it. Better then getting a ticket and I'm sure not going to argue with a cop!
 
quote:
Originally posted by Msibley

A type IV throwable must be present on all craft 16' or larger. There is no regulation stating that it needs a line attached to it. The local water cops cannot make up their own versions of Federal regs.

Click to expand...
I agree There is NO regulation stating that it needs a line attached to it
http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/fedreqs/equ_pfd.htm
Throwable:
Cushion
Ring Buoy IV 20 lb.
16.5 & 32 lb.
That being said we have a LifeSling system that has a polypropylene floating retrieving line which not only helps pull the person onboard but can help the person in the water get to the sling quicker- but again the line is NOT in the regs and as Pike said "The local water cops cannot make up their own versions of Federal regs."
 
Flutterby:
I agree with everything. But still, I double-dog dare you to chuck that throw-able cushion 50' from the deck of a boat.
 
LOL No way could I do that! However, if someone goes overboard while I'm at cruise speed [for me, that is 27kph], a 50 ft line would be too short! Not sure what the "logic" is in requiring the line, but I'll put one on just because......
 
I have 2 throwable rings - one within easy reach just inside the cvabin, and one on 1 75' polypropolene line aft of the flybridge. I also have a "life sling" and line in a covered bag.

I think the length of the line has to do with how long it should be to circle the MOB.

The poly line seems to "rot" when exposed to sun after a few years. I've got to replace mine soon!

Charles
 
You are correct, Charles, that poly line rots. But it does float better then nylon. Pick your poison!
 
Let's see, leaving a square throwable in the cockpit doesn't raise much risk. Someone isn't too likely to go tripping over it. Now, attach 50' of line to it and you've greatly increased the risk. No thanks. I've got a throwable handy AND it's label is COMPLETELY readable. Be sure to check yours, it's not a valid PFD if the label's worn off or faded. I then also have a LifeSling throwable under a nearby seat. Should someone go overboard someone can chuck the throwable, if only to put a marker in the water. As we circle back we'll have plenty of time to prepare the LifeSling. Then I can maintain power to control the boat while circling around the person. The line gets drawn in across their path as we circle. Better to have them secure in the sling first. Of course all MOB situations are different.
 
on the bayliner site, a caption said
no rope was needed and he would like to hear from the person who received the ticket.
Bill
 
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