Congress Torpedoes Drug Submarines Carrying Cocaine From Colombia
Reader Comments
It's for your own good.
I have been in the CG for a few years, And the reason we issue citations is so that you can fix whatever it is that needs to be fixed before an actual emercency happens. So maybe you did have your flares on board, but what happens if your boat goes down and your expired flares don't work? It's about preventing accidents. And there are no fines that go along with your citation. All you need to do is fix it and send in the reciept for whatever it was you replaced. And regardless of whether or not your old flares are expired, keep them on board. That way, just in case, you have extras when your boat does go down. And I was very offended by the sentence calling us the "orange navy." That is so far from what we really are. Our jobs are totally seperate from each other besides the fact that we work on the water.
Clarification to the Article
Point of legal fact: vessels without nationality CAN be stopped on the high seas by any nation. What this bill would make illegal under US law is the operation of a submersible or semisubmersible without nationality. This is because they are rigged for sinking and it isn't always possible to get the drugs off to make a case. So with this law, the vessel itself is illegal, and the operators can be prosecuted.
USCG and their jurisdiction
I just wonder how loudly you would be complaining if they were saving your sorry self. It is your fault your gear was not up to code. You know the US law so well then why were you not better prepared to enter the US waters. So save your "they are picking on me attitude", and be thankful you can sail the US waters without worrying about pirates attacking you , and knowing when you get in trouble they will be there to save you. Everyone in this Country should be so proud to say the US coast Guard is from my country, they are the finest examples of professionals , they protect and save us everyday. They do not get the funding or the recognition they deserve. WE LOVE OUR COASTIES!!!
What federak kaw?
Thomas,
You say, "This violates a federal law ...." I challenge you to tell us all just what that law is. Educate us.
Will is correct, and your posting has demonstrated your ignorance, not just once, but several times. Anyone that ignorant of both domestic and international law of the sea has no business operating a boat in or near U. S. waters. I would suggest you take it back to the foreign country from whence it came.
DUMMY!
Why don't you move to another country, register your boat there and STAY THERE!
To Thomas Thibeault from FL....
Clearly YOU do not understand federal law. If you are operating a US flagged vessel, regardless of your position, you are subject to US authority and jurisdiction.....the only area that becomes fuzzy for a US vessel is inside another country's territorial sea....even then, the US can obtain permmission from that country to assert jurisdiction on a US vessel. So unless you were inside another nation's territorial sea the other day (which you were not....27.4 miles offshore), the Coast Guard has the authority to board your vessel and ensure it is in compliance with all applicable federal laws and regulations. In your case, your vessel was not in compliance...and you were issued a citation. For that, you have no one to blame but yourself. Boating, whether for business or pleasure, is an inherently dangerous activity. As such, it is more strictly regulated by the government. Do everyone a favor: go take a boating safety course and learn from your mistake.
Violation of Federal Law?
By law, U.S. registered vessels can be boarded by the CG anytime, anywhere.
Hmm, let's see, helping to keep our country safe from terrorists, helping eliminate illegal drugs, providing vital search and rescue services and keeping our ports and waterways environmentally safe, all while providing a $14 dollar return on investment to the taxpayers for every dollar they get in their budget? Yeah, we can use more Sheriffs like that.
Your Fault
You Stupid BUTT, don't you know we're in a war against terrorist and drug smugglers? There are ways to rectify the fact that your vessel was out of the country for two years. That's your fault.
USCG and their Jurisdiction
American Boaters already suffer from the USCG being the new sheriff in town. I was recently boarded by a crew of US Coast Guerd from the small Cutter Bluefin. I was 27.4 miles off the Florida coast and was boarded. This violates a federal law but who will enforce violation, my vessel was out of the country for two years and though I had safety gear on board it was out of date. The USCG issued a citation, an illegal citation, neverless a citation. Was it the Bluefins captain that told their Officer of the deck to hail my vessel, was it the OOD acting on his own? Does it really matter? Americans hold their civil liberties in high regards, obviously the government doesn't. I think our declaration of independance clearly states that when this happens it's time to revolt.
