On water safety check in havasu, bullshit

[riverroyal]

So my neighbor, not me was pulling in copper canyon Saturday early and got the 'safety check' pull over. He is his mid 50s, was with 3 others same age. In a 100k new toon and the cops pull him over, no reason, just a safety check. They ask to board and do a inspection, he was drinking water, no problems. Only thing he failed was the throw cushion within arms reach.
This is complete bullshit in my opinion. By 7am Saturday the channel was a joke, completely full. Launch ramps were chaos and the police had the time to pull over a nice boat, no partying, no booze boat with all middle aged adults.

Do you have to let them on board? Can you ask why you being stopped and if they say safety check tell them your safe and leave? Is there probable cause? I'm not saying be a dick to the police but we all no the safety check is the excuse to board your boat and look for open containers etc.

 

[HitIt]

Did he feel safer after the safety check? Did he get a free t-shirt?

 

[Ziggy]

So my neighbor, not me was pulling in copper canyon Saturday early and got the 'safety check' pull over. He is his mid 50s, was with 3 others same age. In a 100k new toon and the cops pull him over, no reason, just a safety check. They ask to board and do a inspection, he was drinking water, no problems. Only thing he failed was the throw cushion within arms reach.
This is complete bullshit in my opinion. By 7am Saturday the channel was a joke, completely full. Launch ramps were chaos and the police had the time to pull over a nice boat, no partying, no booze boat with all middle aged adults.

Do you have to let them on board? Can you ask why you being stopped and if they say safety check tell them you safe and leave? Is there probable cause? I'm not saying be a dick to the police but we all no the safety check is the excuse to board your boat and look for open containers etc.

He must've looked suspicious

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Here we go.....

 

[riverroyal]

He looks like the rest of us! Middle age with grey hair and a non marathon runners body. Been boating 30 years also, so he is not much a rule breaker.
I need a to get a throw cushion now I guess with arms reach.

 

[NicPaus]

Never heard the throwable must be with in arms reach?

 

[Deja_Vu]

Never heard the throwable must be with in arms reach?

+1 this is news to me also.

 

[riverroyal]

Never heard the throwable must be with in arms reach?

Mine is just under a seat, not reachable. I guess I need to Velcro it my steering wheel or something.

 

[HitIt]

so he is not much a rule breaker.

Incorrect. He broke the most important rule of boating: Throwable within arms reach. He was putting the lives of everyone on board at risk. You say he isn't a rule breaker. I say he is the poster child for a reckless, lawless, and dangerous boating lifestyle.

 

[AEA]

Was he cited or just told to keep it within arms reach?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I thought there was no open container law on boats?

Or are you just referring to the captain of the boat? I thought the captain could not have an open container within reach while underway.

 

[riverroyal]

Incorrect. He broke the most important rule of boating: Throwable within arms reach. He was putting the lives of everyone on board at risk. You say he isn't a rule breaker. I say he is the poster child for a reckless, lawless, and dangerous boating lifestyle.

What if you can't throw, like your a girl that has never held a ball. (Unlike outcoled, he has held plenty of balls)

 

[NicPaus]

+1 this is news to me also.

I have not had a safety check in 10 years knock on wood, but they only checked to make sure I had 1. Does it have to be arms reach from driver or a passenger?

 

[530RL]

From Arizona Game and Fish Website,

"All watercraft 16 feet and longer shall have one type IV throwable PFD on board"

http://azgfdportal.devaz.gov/PortalImages/files/boating/regulations/boating_laws.pdf

Was the officer Arizona or California?

 

[riverroyal]

Was he cited or just told to keep it within arms reach?

I'm told the cops was doing the check while looking for other stuff to bust him on, like drinking. It's was really a excuse, not a courtesy stop.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

From Arizona Game and Fish Website,

"All watercraft 16 feet and longer shall have one type IV throwable PFD on board"

Was the officer Arizona or California?

Good call..

I have been onboard for a safety check before, and we did not get hassled for having the throwable in the ski locker.

 

[Outdrive1]

From Arizona Game and Fish Website,

"All watercraft 16 feet and longer shall have one type IV throwable PFD on board"

http://azgfdportal.devaz.gov/PortalImages/files/boating/regulations/boating_laws.pdf

Was the officer Arizona or California?

I had a safety inspection Sunday in the mini. Had all my stuff in order and passed the fst's. [emoji106]

 

[530RL]

I had a safety inspection Sunday in the mini. Had all my stuff in order and passed the fst's. [emoji106]

Everything is within reach in a mini.

 

[Patyacht]

So my neighbor, not me was pulling in copper canyon Saturday early and got the 'safety check' pull over. He is his mid 50s, was with 3 others same age. In a 100k new toon and the cops pull him over, no reason, just a safety check. They ask to board and do a inspection, he was drinking water, no problems. Only thing he failed was the throw cushion within arms reach.
This is complete bullshit in my opinion. By 7am Saturday the channel was a joke, completely full. Launch ramps were chaos and the police had the time to pull over a nice boat, no partying, no booze boat with all middle aged adults.

Do you have to let them on board? Can you ask why you being stopped and if they say safety check tell them your safe and leave? Is there probable cause? I'm not saying be a dick to the police but we all no the safety check is the excuse to board your boat and look for open containers etc.

Yes you have to let them board. and as far as the Type IV being "Within Arms Reach" is NOT IN THE AZ or CA LAW. The law says readily accessible. Another Over Aggressive Cop IMO!

 

[pronstar]

Nice boat equals money to pay the potential fine.

 

[RCDave]

It's called harassment with the intent to find alcohol or other heavy fine infractions. Another way the constitution/bill of rights has been whittled down to a nub.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

I thought I read somewhere that any boat over 20' had to have a throwable? Is the 16' law just AZ? Did it change? Or have I just been told wrong info?

 

[Outdrive1]

Everything is within reach in a mini.

Pretty much. You're sitting on everything in the boat. Fire extinguisher, throwable, horn, life vests. I have a paddle too, he also said I didn't need a a horn but there's one wired into the boat. He was looking to catch me dui, made me do the light test and blow into the machine.

 

[TRAVISD]

I had the same thing happen to me last year in the Gorge. A "safety check" and a "sobriety check" by the Fish and Game. The best part i don't drink and was laughing the entire time, which didn't help. no violations which they were not thrilled about and let me off with a warning to slow down when i was idling.

 

[RCDave]

Guilty until proven innocent. Only in modern America

 

[Patyacht]

I thought I read somewhere that any boat over 20' had to have a throwable? Is the 16' law just AZ? Did it change? Or have I just been told wrong info?

You were told wrong. 16' not 20'.

 

[Flying_Lavey]

You were told wrong. 16' not 20'.

Well then I guess I need to make sure my uncle gets a throwable. I have one for my 18' but he doesn't in his 20' (although he is longer than what he thought the law was. Honry old man. Lol)

 

[Big B Hova]

I always have a beer within arms reach..... Just sayin'

 

[HitIt]

If a boat is considered unsafe because of a lack of required equipment, it should be escorted by LE back to the launch ramp/dock that it came from. If that doesn't happen, then this really isn't about safety at all. Why would LE allow a boat that is an unsafe condition to continue operating? A ticket doesn't change the operating status of the boat.

 

[stephenkatsea]

Although they are required, most "throwable cushions" are a joke. Often they just don't work for the circumstance. You get one shot and it better be good. Check out a devise called "resQ disc". A frisbee type throwable with poly line attached. If the first throw isn't good, you just retrieve the line and throw it again. Many LE vessels carry these, because they work. Cost is about $40 .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYqF_9wMMSw

 

[shintoooo]

Cops Suck

 

[28Eliminator]

If a boat is considered unsafe because of a lack of required equipment, it should be escorted by LE back to the launch ramp/dock that it came from. If that doesn't happen, then this really isn't about safety at all. Why would LE allow a boat that is an unsafe condition to continue operating? A ticket doesn't change the operating status of the boat.

Dont be trashing this thread with logic...

 

[OldSchoolBoats]

Got a safety inspection at Elsinore on Sunday. Coast Guard Auxiliary guy offered me $10.00 off my next launch if we had all the required safety equipment, so knowing that I do........I said no problem (ten bucks is ten bucks). Showed him everything and popped the hatch so he could see the safety items on the motor, then listened to him lecture me about not opening my hatch if the halon system goes off.....blah...blah....blah. So all is done and he asks me for my boat registration. I go into the truck to look for it while he is lecturing me about always having it on the boat. Anyway........just got the registration / title card from AZF&G and left it at home. SO after ALL THAT......he says........"sorry, can't give you the coupon because you don't have your registration, but I do need to write down you HIN number, so give me a second." I assume that the next move was to check and see if my ride is stolen.....LOL. Anyway.....I launched and basically wasted 10 minutes of my life that I will never get back. Thanks CG Auxiliary guy..

 

[Patyacht]

NV laws tend to be more restrictive. Here are their Type IV requirements: vessels 16 feet to 40 feet long must have on board one USCG?approved Type IV PFD. Vessels 40 feet or longer must carry two Type IV PFDs, with one in the front of the vessel and the other in the rear. Also, vessels 26 feet or longer must have 30 feet of throwing line (or rope) attached to each required Type IV PFD.

 

[Big B Hova]

My type IV throwable makes an excellent bumper when docking!

 

[HitIt]

Coast Guard Auxiliary guy

Never let the CG Aux take up any of your time. Nothing good can come of it. You are on vacation and they are wasting your time. They are volunteering their time and usually want to BS with you about stuff you already know (since you learned it on RDP). If they try to flag you down, wave back and leave. On the ramp, tell them you are busy.

I said no problem (ten bucks is ten bucks)

My vacation time is worth a lot! I work my ass off for it.

 

[obnoxious001]

I had a safety inspection Sunday in the mini. Had all my stuff in order and passed the fst's. [emoji106]

If you let them board the mini, wouldn't it sink?

 

[stephenkatsea]

CG Auxillary has no jurisdiction. Really doubt if they can ask to see your registration. That $10 off next launch deal seems a bit questionable.

 

[530RL]

Although they are required, most "throwable cushions" are a joke. Often they just don't work for the circumstance. You get one shot and it better be good. Check out a devise called "resQ disc". A frisbee type throwable with poly line attached. If the first throw isn't good, you just retrieve the line and throw it again. Many LE vessels carry these, because they work. Cost is about $40 .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GYqF_9wMMSw

That thing looks really cool but I can not find anywhere on the website where it is USCG certified Type IV. So if it is not, and all you had was the disc, I am afraid one would not be in compliance.

 

[obnoxious001]

Pretty much. You're sitting on everything in the boat. Fire extinguisher, throwable, horn, life vests. I have a paddle too, he also said I didn't need a a horn but there's one wired into the boat. He was looking to catch me dui, made me do the light test and blow into the machine.

That was probably the guy we passed with someone pulled over going down river with the stern light not working. He already had someone stopped on AZ side, but guess he could have finished up before you got there.

 

[stephenkatsea]

That thing looks really cool but I can not find anywhere on the website where it is USCG certified Type IV. So if it is not, and all you had was the disc, I am afraid one would not be in compliance.

It doesn't free you from having to carry that BS throwable cushion. What it does do . . . . is work.

 

[Gregor]

So my neighbor, not me was pulling in copper canyon Saturday early and got the 'safety check' pull over. He is his mid 50s, was with 3 others same age. In a 100k new toon and the cops pull him over, no reason, just a safety check. They ask to board and do a inspection, he was drinking water, no problems. Only thing he failed was the throw cushion within arms reach.
This is complete bullshit in my opinion. By 7am Saturday the channel was a joke, completely full. Launch ramps were chaos and the police had the time to pull over a nice boat, no partying, no booze boat with all middle aged adults.

Do you have to let them on board? Can you ask why you being stopped and if they say safety check tell them your safe and leave? Is there probable cause? I'm not saying be a dick to the police but we all no the safety check is the excuse to board your boat and look for open containers etc.

I was in Copper Canyon Saturday and did see several people (including friends) pulled over either entering or exiting Copper Canyon, but it wasn't by the police, as your friend indicated, but rather by the U.S. Coast Guard. I don't know the laws regarding what they can and can't do, but simply pointing out that your friend may have been pulled over by the USCG and not the police.

 

[Wakebrdr94]

Ok, I'm in the minority I guess, but what's the big deal? Let them do the check and they'll be gone pretty quickly? If they catch one guy drunk while operating a vessel it's worth it to me. I see people say how stupid others are when there is an accident involving drunk boating, then the same people complain that the LEOs are looking for drunk boaters.

That said, if/when they stop me, I want my free T shirt

 

[RCDave]

Its called freedom, liberty, and individual rights, some of the basic principals on which our country was founded. The right for law abiding citizens to live their lives free from government harassment and tyranny. Our freedoms have been beat back consistently. When will it stop?

 

[Outdrive1]

If you let them board the mini, wouldn't it sink?

They'd probably fall off. It didn't work out too well for Aaron. Lol.

 

[Ziggy]

Cops Suck

Shintoooo, You're back!

 

[relaxalot]

I got checked by two of the Coast Guard's finest on Sunday at the gas dock at the Marina. They asked to see life jackets, fire extinguisher, noise producing device and the infamous throw cushion. They were very professional and brief. No problems. He did mention that my throw cushion should be in reach. I store it in one of the doors right across from me and it takes about two seconds to get.

I also noticed that the Coast Guard had at least two boats on the lake that I saw.

 

[Outdrive1]

It doesn't free you from having to carry that BS throwable cushion. What it does do . . . . is work.

Those things are like 7 bucks at Walmart. Just get one and stuff it under a seat and forget about it.

 

[Ziggy]

Ok, I'm in the minority I guess, but what's the big deal? Let them do the check and they'll be gone pretty quickly? If they catch one guy drunk while operating a vessel it's worth it to me. I see people say how stupid others are when there is an accident involving drunk boating, then the same people complain that the LEOs are looking for drunk boaters.

That said, if/when they stop me, I want my free T shirt

I agree with this to a certain point but because what I'm reading out of most of these kind of threads, that the LEO tend to split hairs and lean more towards OUI when things may not actually be that way, and that makes me believe common sense in the enforcement is completely lost.

 

[prosthogod]

I've been stopped twice by CG in havasu over the years and always have my stuff. The problem I have is there boarding with there BIG BLACK BOOTS on my white upholstery . All LE on the water are DICKS, sorry Boatcop.