[Travis McGee]

It's not just the border and 12 miles out, who told you that? The USCG can board you half way up the Mississippi, or in the middle of the ocean, no matter what flag you are flying.


I know they can do it, and will do it. I just ask that they not act like Nazi storm troopers on Kristallnacht while they are doing it, to ordinary average American taxpaying Joe Schmoes. Usually, they are respectful and polite, but sometimes they do come off as JBTs with a 'tude. Not often, but they do.

Is it too much to ask that they be polite and courteous to law-abiding American boat owners, when rousting them from sleep in the middle of the night for an uninvited "safety inspection?"

[GodBlessUSA]

Jones said "I wouldn't question their professionalism, but I do question their motive and their authority," he said. "To me, it sounds like something that an ACLU lawyer would just tear apart."

Even the man who is complaining couldn't question their professionalism. Which means they weren't treated in any harsh way.

[Ramius]

Travis, I have great respect for your opinion, having read much of your good stuff over the years here.

Of course, CG boarding parties should not be seen to come across as Jackbooted thugs. I don't think that there are, or ever have been in any sort of institutional way. I happen to really honestly believe, that out of the thousands of boardings they do every DAY, that they conduct themselves in the most professional way possible, given whatever circumstances they are in.

I think there's a bad rap happening on this thread for the USCG, and I'll defend them. That is simply where I am.

[Ramius]

It's not just the border and 12 miles out, who told you that? The USCG can board you half way up the Mississippi, or in the middle of the ocean, no matter what flag you are flying.

Not exactly. True... the 12 mile limit extends into any navigable water. Authority to board and inspect insde that line is absolute. That's just the way it is. The CG also can board any U.S. flagged vessel anywhere in the world, in international waters. Or... can board any vessel flagged in a country for whom we have a treaty granting authority to the USCG to conduct boardings. Treaties to this effect are in place with regard to most countries of So. America.

[freema]

Who said they acted like Nazi storm troopers?

No, it's not too much to ask for them to be polite and courteous to law-abiding American boat owners.

........and they're supposed to know which ones are law-abiding American boat owners, how?