NJ Saltwater Fisherman Forums
Boating => Boating General Discussions => Topic started by: dreamsfloatjoe on March 26, 2009, 07:45:43 PM
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MAYPORT, FL -- The spring weather is drawing more boaters out on the water, and that includes the U.S. Coast Guard. Operation Safety Net begins this weekend.
Inspections this Friday, Saturday and Sunday will kick off a crackdown by Coast Guard officers on the water to make sure recreational vessels are properly equipped.
During a run on the St. Johns River Thursday morning, four out of five boaters stopped were not wearing life jackets.
"Spring has sprung. The weather's nicer. People are taking their boats out for the first time. In a lot of cases, people are just taking their boat on the water assuming it's ready to go. The Coast Guard is here to ensure it is ready to go," said Petty Officer Bobby Nash.
The law requires children twelve and under to wear a life jacket at all times. All other people aboard must have a life jacket within reach.
"If you're in an emergency and do not have a life jacket on-- it's a lot like trying to put a seatbelt on just before you get into a car accident," explains Petty Officer Nash.
"It's the same on the water. If something goes wrong, it's too late to grab a life jacket or get to one. That's why we recommend wearing one. It will save your life," he adds.
Proper equipment also includes a sound producing device (such as a whistle or horn), up-to-date registration, a functioning fire extinguisher, a throwable floatation device on deck, and a working communication radio.
"It's important that you have everything you need, so that when the Coast Guard does get your call, we're [on the way] to help you, but you can help yourself in the meantime," Nash said.
Out of the inspections Thursday morning, 66-year-old John Dent was the only boater who did not receive a violation warning.
Dent, who regularly fishes in his boat on the St. Johns, says he always wears a life jacket.
"I see [other people] with no life jackets on, lying on the bow of the boat. It's dangerous. The boat could hit something and over they'd go," Dent said.
He appreciates the Coast Guard's efforts to prevent accidents from happening.
"I don't mind at all. I know I've got good protection around me when I see them," Dent said.
Violations may result in a warning or citation.
Reference, with video: http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=134688&catid=3 (http://www.firstcoastnews.com/news/local/news-article.aspx?storyid=134688&catid=3)
Your mileage may vary.
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t^
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GOOD !!! <'((((><
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Glad to see them out.....a benefit for all involved.
If you get the voluntary USCG Inspection at the beginning of the season, you get a sticker for your boat and a safety report.
9 out of 10 times the USCG will approach you on the Port side to check if you have a sticker if o they wave and pull off, if boarded just give them the report to see and they thank you and pull away.
I always offer them water/soda to thank them in a small way for the job the are doing slt
Go to this link to find an examiner in your are, the the safety check is free:
http://www.uscgboating.org/SAFETY/vsc.htm
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You better not OFF them rofla rofla rofla t^
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Capt Bob thanks for the info,did the self check online and everything seems good. and also entered zip code to find examiner near me,suprised to find ones real close by in my area,once I have boat ready I will contact one for the exam.safety is number one priority when out on the water and I think every boater would want to be in compliance with all safety regs. t^ Kez
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Good info. You really need to start thinking about these things now. t^
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Nice Job Capt. Bob! I found an examiner in my town and emailed him to set up an inspection! Better to be safe than sorry!
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Dreamsfloatjoe,
Never too much reminding about safety given the rash of boating accidents that happen every season due to poor planning or bad judgement.
Capt. Bob,
The VSC info was very helpful. Also, some real good tidbits of info on the NJ state requirements particularly with BUI. Keep it safe out there!
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Good to hear that they're workin hard..
Everyone please remember to stay safe on the boat, beaches, back bays and jetties and bridges and piers. chrz
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10 am monday inspection,, examiner is coming to my storage area.. great post !! thanks
Had the examiner come at 10am and all is good, the whole is process took about 25 minutes. The examiner was super polite and very thorough.. Capt. Bob link is a great post.
the new sticker
(http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd100/Ruger314/IMG_1706.jpg)
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EDEN,, use the link..posted by Capt.Bob
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added the link to my favorites. Will get them here when I'm ready. Thanks.
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Glad you guys found the link helpful....have been using the same examiner for several years now, real nice guy as they all are t^ Hats off to the service they do slt
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Was on the water with a Schultz on his Wellcraft searching for Winter flounder on tuesday. With very few boats in the bay, Coast Gaurd decided to check out the V20. Approached port side and went through the basics.... horn, PFD, saftey kit, extinguisher FYI.... Double check the expiration on your flares nosmly. They usually have a shelf of 2 yrs. Time to buy new ones.
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I was borded last fall off of Sandy Hook. Everything was fine and the crew were nice guys. grtn
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finished up boat today,emailed my request for a VSC. t^ Kez
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inspector just finished VSC and all is good and 2009 sticker attached,Capt Bob thanks for the input for how to contact for inspection. t^ Kez
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The last few weeks the USCG has been waiting in Keyport Harbor.
I know someone that was boarded 2 days in a row.
1st day USCG
2nd day State Police
PS The boat past the inspection with Flying colors.
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I get inspected every year as well. But they really need more units on the water. There are just to many inexperienced and rude operators on the water with no regard to operating a boat in a safe manner. I have witnessed right here in the lagoons a few idiots running up on plane at full speed, boats and jetskis. This year I'm on a mission to catch them and find out what can be done legally, if anything.
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drop a dime with their NJ boat numbers to the SP Maine bureau that'll getem