T&T: Bahamas Coast Guard Checkout

[danlanier@earthlink.net]

This is just an FYI. After spending the winter in the Bahamas, we finally 
had a good window to cross back to Florida. We made the crossing from West 
End Grand Bahama to Stuart Inlet on July 25, 2006 (I know.....I am a bit 
behind). On this crossing we noticed a Coast Guard cutter around 5 to 10 
miles out of West End. We were picking up conversation where they were 
asking boats for their numbers. Because of Murphy's law (esp in my case) I 
gathered all my pertinent info convinced we would be questioned. Sure 
enough, when we came into view of the cutter, they hailed us and began their 
questioning of us. It was basically port of departure, destination port, 
souls on board, hull ID, registration numbers, length of vessel, beam, names 
of souls on board, etc. One key specific question was if we were carrying 
any cargo. Also, I noticed they quizzed only slow vessels, trawlers and 
sailboats. They quizzed no planing boats. After getting the info they asked 
for, they did a 360 run around our vessel. They had the crew on board 
manning the inflatable ready to launch as if they might need to board us. 
After doing the 360 and running up and down another mile or so, they finally 
cleared us. They never asked us to stop or alter our course, so I continued 
on course. They stayed on station in that area all day as we continued to 
monitor radio communications with many other vessels quizzed that day.

Dan Lanier
Gulfstar 43 Danali Star
Lying Vero Beach Florida