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Coast Guard on the Hudson

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Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/21/2005 : 17:50:40

I went out sailing today. The wind died just as we raised the sails at about 12:30 PM. We had patchy gusts but mostly we just drifted North with the current to the GWB.

Here's the exciting part:

As we were approaching somewhere around 100th Street, we saw the Coast Guard pull up to a powerboat the was anchored off of Fairway Market at 135th Street. The Coast Guard then left them and motored down the river. They got about 100 yards or so past us, swerved around and pulled up right next to us.

"When was the last time you were boarded by the Coast Guard," the captain asked.

"Um . . . That would be never," I replied.

A spot check of safety equipment followed. He wanted to see a picture ID, the registration, two life vests (it was only me and my girlfriend on the boat), the fire extinguisher, "pyrotechnics," the type IV throwable PFD, and the air horn. The only thing not in complete order was that the throwable was in the cabin instead of out in the cockpit. I hust loved the way they kept referring to me as "Captain," but was a bit disappointed that they didn't ask permission to come aboard so I could reply, "Permission granted." They did the whole spot-check from the deck of their boat hanging on to my stanchions. He gave us a copy of the inspection form (which we're supposed to present to the Coast Guard if we're ever boarded again) and sent us on our merry way.

We got back to the mooring at about 4:15, just as the wind started to pick up again.

Figures.

I guess I'm becoming a real sailor. I've sent my girlfriend up the mast to re-rig the main halyard, I've run aground (albeit softly), and now I've been boarded by the Coast Guard!

Rich

Cerberus
Hull #4695
1984 SR/FK No Pop-Top

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2005 : 07:57:31

I'm pretty sure they won't ask for permission to come aboard during an inspection. It must have been a slow day if they decided to board a sailboat. For them its a real PITA and from what I hear they prefer boarding powerboats due to the convenience.

We did a vessel safety check this year provided free of charge by the auxilliary. I'd recommend it to everyone, it is a good learning experience.

dw

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2005 : 09:00:38

I, too, get a USCG Auxiliary safety inspection every year and place the sticker at the base of the mast.

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Ben - FL
Admiral

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880 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2005 : 17:55:11

I've always wanted to hear them say, "Hove-TO and stand by to be boarded" just so I could show them I CAN hove to under sail!

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bbriner
Captain

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349 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2005 : 19:54:54

I was boarded by the CG too. They were very polite... looked like they were about 17 yrs old (I think that reflects more on me than them...) and were quite thorough. The only thing that was irritating was that they were wearing black soled boots and left a **lot** of black marks all over the boat (cockpit mainly). I mentioned it to the senior guardsman and he apologized and said that they 'usually board tankers and large ships'. He did offer to give me a voucher for the cleaning. I refused but it was so hard to clean I wish I hadn't.

The about a month ago, in the middle of SF Bay, I heard the CG hailing someone on Channel 16, telling them to lower their sails so they could board. It was blowing big time (20 kts or about +/-) and I said to myself I was glad it wasn't me they were talking to... he said they were to port of the boat they were hailing (or so I thought) but they were on my starboard so I didn't pay attention. They buzzed by to the west of us waving their arms so I thought they wanted us to trun away from the GG Bridge so I fell off and we just went downwind towards SF. I think they weree really talking to me... I think he meant that I was to port of ** them ** ... although why they would ask a sailboat in the middle of SF Bay when it is blowin like it was to lower sails instead of heaving to is beyond me. Plus my lines are at the mast so I would have to go up there in that mess and lower and gather up the jib (... no furler) and lower and tie off the main. A very very dangerous operation in that wind and surf. Anyway, they didn't come after me but it was interesting..

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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts

Response Posted - 09/22/2005 : 22:14:13

Hmmm, I'll have to go to a hospital supply store and get some of those paper over shoes for the occasion....

I do have the voluntary inspection sticker on the mast. I have been asked a few questions (who what where and why are you here) while on the Inter Coastal in SE Florida, but no one showed an interest in coming aboard....

Oscar
C42 # 76 "Lady Kay" (Ex. C250 WB #618 )
Georgetown MD/Fort Lauderdale FL

Edited by - on

tmhansen
Captain

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USA
397 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2005 : 01:29:22

On Labor day we saw a lot of Coast Guard Activity in Monterey, where there is a station. While sailing off shore in seach of large sea mamales (none spotted) we saw the helo fly over twice, and a SAR plane flying low but heard nothing on the radio.
Back in our slip the motor life boat followed a small fishing boat to his slip and did an inspection on the dock. I was busy dropping the mast and getting the boat ready to put on the trailer but the kids dropped everything to watch the helmsman manuver his large vessel up to an end tie. We while two of the crew dealt with the small boat three remained on board. My wife was amused to see one of the lounging crew secure the helmsman to his seat. When he went to get up he was confused for a few seconds until he uncovered the prank.

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/nmlbs/video.html
The link above has some cool video of the MLB in action.

Meanwhile I saw two other Coast Guard boats in the marina, large rigid inflateables with two huge outboards on transom. We had seen them out on the water earlier and my wife wondered if the large tripod mounted objects on the bows were fire water cannons. I said I did not think so and when we saw them up close in the marina there was no doubt that that was one big machine gun. One of the crew left the docks to go use the restrooms below the harbor office and then stood at the gate akwardly trying to open it until we came along and let him in. I was bemused at his naivate.

Edited by - on

Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2005 : 10:10:50

It was a slow day. They all looked to be well under 30, and they seemed to be training a kid who looked like he might have even been under 20. They were extremely polite and friendly, and that only increased as I was prepared and one step ahead of everything they asked for. The only thing they told me was that, unlike with a car, they frown on photo-copies of the registration and prefer to see the original.

I'm enjoying the bragging rights.

Edited by - on

Mike Mullen
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2005 : 17:35:15

Is it possible that your girl friend is a "looker" and they just wanted the opportunity to get a closer look?

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 16:22:18

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Ben - FL
 I've always wanted to hear them say, "Hove-TO and stand by to be boarded" just so I could show them I CAN hove to under sail!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Except wouldn't you "heave-To" and then once you were there you would have been hove-to? (I'm asking, not correcting)Or is this another one of those anomolies like pleaded guilty.

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 09/25/2005 : 16:27:07

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">We had seen them out on the water earlier and my wife wondered if the large tripod mounted objects on the bows were fire water cannons. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Considering they have m-60's on the little inflatibles, I can only wonder what is on the bigger boats.

There are a number of Coast Guard Stations on Lake Erie, Those guys really don't mess around. Probably because they are so ticked to get Border patrol on the Lake as opposed to Blue Water duty.

Edited by - on

Rich G
Navigator

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226 Posts

Response Posted - 09/28/2005 : 11:25:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Is it possible that your girl friend is a "looker" and they just wanted the opportunity to get a closer look?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Well . . . I am biased here, but I would call her a looker; she is a redhead (and I've always had a thing for the redheads). I'm sure it was more out of boredom and looking at her was just an unexpected job perk.

And yes, it was a rigid inflatable with an M-60 mounted on the bow. They are usually out these days in NY Harbor.

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