safety checks

Intrepid, Schumer is not his senator. While I normally can't stand the guy, in this case, he is standing up for the boaters on the Hudson.
 
quote:
Originally posted by stmbtwle

Had a cop during the last boarding say "I need to see a throwable PFD". I pointed to a life ring hanging on a hook about 2' from his leg... (Too bad it wasn't a water moccasin!)

He was so embarrassed he asked a couple more stupid questions and left.

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Several years ago, a boat anchored near us had a couple of kids on board not wearing life vests. The cops came by and told the father that the law required the kids have vests on while on board. The owner responded that since they were not underway, they kids did not need vests (that is the law in NY). When the cops insisted that the kids had to have vests on, the father picked the kids up and dropped them over the side of the boat - telling the cops the kids were no longer on the boat.

The cops didn't know what to do and embarassedly motored away...
 
quote:
Originally posted by Intrepid

Recently Law enforcement has learned that children who have been kidnapped and come in contact with police officers have been warned by their abductors to remain quiet. Jaysee Dugard is an example of one of these tragedies. Children, out of fear remain quiet while the perps answer the questions.
Cops (water cops included) are being trained to ask kids a few questions. Their only goal is to prevent another horrible tragedy.

Pete

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I have two problems with this, first it is a horrible expansion of warrantless search using the boating safety excuse. It is also an unreasonable response to an extremely limited problem. Most "abductions" are child custody cases and for the few real stranger abductions it is unreasonable to interrogate law abiding people without cause. Why don't we station cops at every school entrance and fast food joint to interrogate every child as they enter.
 
quote:
Originally posted by mrknowitall

No
Yes
No

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I'm surprised on two counts: first, that the National Park Service is in the regulatory inspection of documentation and carriage requirements game. Had no idea they had that authority. Anyone know the source of it? I'm curious.
And second, that they terminated the voyage for just a missing type IV. Kind of harsh.
 
Bruce:

Actually, ALL law enforcement officers - local, state and Federal, need probable cause to stop a boat. The only exception are USCG and US Customs. The co-called safety checks and document inspection laws do not trump the U.S. Constitution. I'll bet if you check with your state's Attorney General's office you will find that the officers are exceeding their authority unless they actually see some violation of law.

Gene
 
Quote:I have two problems with this, first it is a horrible expansion of warrantless search using the boating safety excuse. It is also an unreasonable response to an extremely limited problem. Most "abductions" are child custody cases and for the few real stranger abductions it is unreasonable to interrogate law abiding people without cause. Why don't we station cops at every school entrance and fast food joint to interrogate every child as they enter.

----------------------

Your point is well taken. Hopefully bringing this situation to our attention is your first step. The next is to begin your campaign of letters & or phone calls. Start at the bottom and work your way up the chain. It's just a matter of how passionate you feel about being harassed by gun toting morons.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Comogene

Bruce:

Actually, ALL law enforcement officers - local, state and Federal, need probable cause to stop a boat. The only exception are USCG and US Customs. The co-called safety checks and document inspection laws do not trump the U.S. Constitution. I'll bet if you check with your state's Attorney General's office you will find that the officers are exceeding their authority unless they actually see some violation of law.

Gene

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Gene,

Could you document that? I'd love to tell the cops they cannot board. Fortunately, our Coasties are pretty nice, do their job and get off even though I don't like that. Our local cops are just ridiculous.
 
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