We-the-People
Regular Member
imported post
So the boating season is here and the wife and I are about to go out and enjoy a day of fishing on the boat. Since we open carry now, some questions have come up.
Do marine officers have the same restrictions on the water as their land based compatriots do during a traffic stop?
Specifically:
1) The Coast Guard inspection sticker is a voluntary inspection and even has a consent signature block. Is this the same form the Sheriffs marine officers use and if so, I'm fairly confident we can then refuse.
2) Baring observation of a violation of the law, can the marine officers "pull over" a boat just to "inspect" (i.e. search) it?
3) Baring observation of a violation of the law, can they BOARD my vessel (21 foot pleasure craft on an inland lake).
I'm asking because we'll be OCing and I don't want to give up my rights because of not knowing what they are.....nor do I want to run afoul of the law becuase I insisted on a land lubbers right that I've given up when I take to the water.
My gut instinct says that I have the same rights on the water and that I do not have to submit to a "Coast Guard" "inspection" (search). I'd just like to have the LAW to be sure.
Any other boaters out there that have looked into this in the past?
I went to the marine Board site but, surprise surprise, couldn't find a page with "your rights". LOL
So the boating season is here and the wife and I are about to go out and enjoy a day of fishing on the boat. Since we open carry now, some questions have come up.
Do marine officers have the same restrictions on the water as their land based compatriots do during a traffic stop?
Specifically:
1) The Coast Guard inspection sticker is a voluntary inspection and even has a consent signature block. Is this the same form the Sheriffs marine officers use and if so, I'm fairly confident we can then refuse.
2) Baring observation of a violation of the law, can the marine officers "pull over" a boat just to "inspect" (i.e. search) it?
3) Baring observation of a violation of the law, can they BOARD my vessel (21 foot pleasure craft on an inland lake).
I'm asking because we'll be OCing and I don't want to give up my rights because of not knowing what they are.....nor do I want to run afoul of the law becuase I insisted on a land lubbers right that I've given up when I take to the water.
My gut instinct says that I have the same rights on the water and that I do not have to submit to a "Coast Guard" "inspection" (search). I'd just like to have the LAW to be sure.
Any other boaters out there that have looked into this in the past?
I went to the marine Board site but, surprise surprise, couldn't find a page with "your rights". LOL