Roger that.
I'll own up. I *was* once that coastie *doing* those boardings some (now many) years ago. I boarded hundreds and hundreds of different boats over the time I was in. I was enlisted, but I'd done so many boardings that I had worked my way into being the lead Boarding Officer or Assistant Boarding Officer on many boardings.
I grew up on boats. I understand and fully identify with the boating community. Most people in the CG have the same story. That's why I joined the Coast Guard and it is the overriding reason why most people do. Nothing I did while I was there was in any way a violation of that.
The thing that ticks me off about this story us that it seems to just leave unchecked this idea that there's coasties just sitting around waiting for the chance to go hassle mom and pop boater.
As if.
Stuff like this doesn't happen for no reason. There just isn't time for playgames. There's lots better stuff to do.
Hey, I get a great warm and fuzzy feeling when I see the orange boat or helo. They are the guys (and gals) who save dumbasses like me who go way out on the ocean and get into trouble.
I'm reading my way through this thread, to your post 332 now. One thing that hasn't been mentioned yet is that the guy who got boarded wants the ACLU involved. That ought to be a big red flag right there telling everone where he's coming from: way over on the left.