GL: Avoid Unnecessary Boardings

[Bill Donovan]

John, et al:

Getting the VSC safety check is a great idea for many reasons, but it 
does not assure immunity from further boardings.

We had the VSC done on our boat at the AGLCA Spring Rendezvous in 
April of 2005 by one of the USCGA volunteers.  We proudly placed the 
decal on our port window of the main cabin.

We were involuntarily boarded by the  USCG, on our port side, in Card 
Sound, Florida, on the following March 6th (2006) -- not quite 11 
months later.  Granted, it was another calendar year, but the 
boarding party did not ask or check if we had an earlier inspection 
or boarding.

As we would suggest everyone behave in such a situation, we 
graciously welcomed the boarding party and their thorough inspection, 
and didn't mention the dark scars their heavy boots left on our decks 
and bulwarks, nor the scrape mark one sidearm made on our teak passageway.

Frankly, we were sort of proud of the three young men in the boarding 
party and their coxswain.  And we thanked them for volunteering to be 
out there doing their job.

Get the inspection, folks!

Bill Donovan
formerly of "Integrity"

At 07:11 PM 2/22/2007, you wrote:
>This posting is about how to avoid unnessary boardings by the Coast
>Guard, State Marine Police and.or Local Authorities.
>
>Get a FREE United States Coast Guare VESSEL SAFETY CHECK on your boat
>every Spring...snip...

>USCG, State and Local officials have
>pledged to not conduct "random" checks on vessels displaying a
>current VSC decal!...snip...

>John R,. Gill
>Two Js V
>An AGLCA Looper
>Certified USPS VSC Examiner