Saltwater Fishing Discussion Board Including Inshore Fishing, Offshore Fishing, Saltwater Fly Fishing and Kayak Fishing

Am copying this post I made from other board. Was wondering if anyone else was stopped and what they were told?

STOPPED YESTERDAY

Was fishing on my friends 2150 Parker yesterday in the triangle in Huntington. The Coast Guard came out of Eatons in their brand new Aluminum hulled inflatable and headed right for us. There were about 30 boats there(we must of had a sign up or something.) Made a safety boarding. Said they were boarding boats to make us aware of the new PFD law. He immediately said he was not going to ticket us but was just informing people for now.
Now here the good part.....
I said that I "thought" I had read that the law applied to boats UNDER21FT. CG officer said no, it includes vessels 21' (and under) Then, buddy asks about "at anchor" (which we were), he says it applies to boats at anchor and fishing. He again says this stop was just to inform us though, to make people aware of the new law.
He just completed a regular safety check then (flares, regi, pfds, ect.) We watched them then go to a few other 21 and under boats.

Later in the afternoon, we see the CG UTB coming around to same area boarding. They also came over to us, but veered of the last second. Guess they called in our regi?
If the law is indeed "UNDER 21 FT", SOMEONE SHOULD TELL THE COASTIES. Also if at anchor applies!

Huntington Angler's Club

This post edited by chawk 08:36 AM 11/02/2009

Capt. NanSea

Joined: 04/26/2002
Posts: 86
Location: Bellmore

posted 11/02/2009 10:16 AM

There was a fishing report from the AB Reef on Sunday 11/1 that indicated the DEC was out there doing saftey checks on small boats and made one go in or face fines without the proprer pfds.

CaptPaul
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posted 11/02/2009 11:39 AM

W/O the PFDs,or w/o wearing them? Big difference. If they didn't have them, they were fortunate not to get cited.

Pau;\l

getsome2

Joined: 04/10/2008
Posts: 55

posted 11/02/2009 12:20 PM

Was out in Moriches on Sunday and a Coast Gaurd Aux vessel was cruising around. There was at least a dozen boats under 21ft out there and most were not in compliance with the new pfd rule. Didn't see the coasties board anybody they just seemed to be cruising around. Not sure if the CG Aux has the authority to board/ticket vessels?

TOMCHUM

Joined: 08/01/2005
Posts: 410

posted 11/02/2009 01:47 PM

Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs :

In addition to the federal PFD carriage requirements, New York has the following requirements for wearing a PFD:

Children under 12 years of age must wear a properly fitting and secured U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD whenever on any vessel 65 feet in length is underway. If the child is in a fully enclosed cabin, then the child is not required to wear a PFD.
Every PWC operator and passenger, and anyone towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD during operation.
All skiers, and those towed behind a vessel participating in another tow sport, must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD.

Children under 12 must wear a PFD on boats 65' or less when on deck while underway!

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GotTheBlues
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Location: Brooklyn, NY

posted 11/02/2009 02:47 PM

getsome2 wrote:
Was out in Moriches on Sunday and a Coast Gaurd Aux vessel was cruising around. There was at least a dozen boats under 21ft out there and most were not in compliance with the new pfd rule. Didn't see the coasties board anybody they just seemed to be cruising around. Not sure if the CG Aux has the authority to board/ticket vessels?

CG Aux cant ticket. They can/might call it in. They just cruise around and patrol, looking for anything that doesnt seem right. They mainly promote boater safety so I wouldnt be surprised if they would pass by those boats and make them aware of the new law, but they cant ticket, and they cant board.

I never drink anything stronger than gin before breakfast.

MakoMike
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posted 11/02/2009 03:12 PM

TOMCHUM wrote:

Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs :

In addition to the federal PFD carriage requirements, New York has the following requirements for wearing a PFD:

Children under 12 years of age must wear a properly fitting and secured U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD whenever on any vessel 65 feet in length is underway. If the child is in a fully enclosed cabin, then the child is not required to wear a PFD.
Every PWC operator and passenger, and anyone towed behind a PWC must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD during operation.
All skiers, and those towed behind a vessel participating in another tow sport, must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved PFD.

Children under 12 must wear a PFD on boats 65' or less when on deck while underway!

Those are all state laws, is the C.G. empowered to enforce state laws? In my experience when they stop vessels for possible fishing violations they always have a DEM (DEP) cop or a local cop on board that actually issues the citation.

====MakoMike=====

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Makomania out

Miko90

Joined: 07/18/2009
Posts: 56

posted 11/02/2009 03:41 PM

Anybody know what the fine would be for not wearing a PFD in a boat under 21'?

I think it is stupid!! I am so sick of being told new BS rules and regs every year!!

Buy a license, wait not this month, actually yeah buy it, wait we're not sure if we're gonna enforce it, now make sure you wear a PFD on your 21' boat even though you've been boating 30 years longer than most of the 20 something year old CG's that are gonna pull you over.

I've had a 21' WA for 13 years, now all of a sudden I'm gonna fall off it or capsize??? WTF!! This is total BS!!!

chawk

Joined: 04/15/2005
Posts: 476
Location: Huntington

posted 11/02/2009 04:22 PM

MakoMike,
Asked the Coastie if he wanted to check my fishing license (since I paid $150 for it, hope someone would check it)? He said no because that was a state rule and although the new PFD Law was too, the Coast Guard enforces PFD rules so they are going to enforce this one. (?wtf??)

My brain almost exploded with that (logic?) explanation! Don't think about the reasoning too long, it will make your head hurt, trust me. Oh well, good to see our tax dollars are well spent!

Huntington Angler's Club

PURSUITWA

Joined: 08/13/2002
Posts: 5104
Location: Bay Shore

posted 11/02/2009 04:25 PM

so is it under 21 feet like I've heard in a public service announcement or 21 feet and under? Splitting hairs I know but thats what the law does- split hairs.

How about a boat that is 21 ft 1 inch long. Won't save your life but it could save a few bucks on a ticket.

I need to take a pay cut so I can afford all these new gov't plans

GO BC EAGLES!

This post edited by PURSUITWA 04:26 PM 11/02/2009

Miko90

Joined: 07/18/2009
Posts: 56

posted 11/02/2009 04:37 PM

chawk...is a Parker 2150, 21' 6"? If so I would use that 6" to your advantage and not wear a PFD.

GotTheBlues
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Posts: 488
Location: Brooklyn, NY

posted 11/02/2009 04:37 PM

PURSUITWA wrote:
so is it under 21 feet like I've heard in a public service announcement or 21 feet and under? Splitting hairs I know but thats what the law does- split hairs.

How about a boat that is 21 ft 1 inch long. Won't save your life but it could save a few bucks on a ticket.

Would love to have a video when you ask the cg to measure your boat Smile

I never drink anything stronger than gin before breakfast.

steveditt

Joined: 07/19/2002
Posts: 76

posted 11/02/2009 05:02 PM

Stopped Yesterday

I have a 21 foot boat and was chased down by the CG and they only asked if I had my radio mike keyed in. Didn't say anything about PFD.

fishologist II

Joined: 08/22/2001
Posts: 655
Location: Broad Channel,J-Bay

posted 11/02/2009 06:25 PM

I don't get it.
What is this new law?
Do adults have to wear a PFD?
I have always required any kids aboard to wear a PFD if they want to go out on my boat. The same for non-swimmer adults.
Anyone coming on my boat, I ask if they are swimmers.
My boat is 29 ft, but I often use smaller craft too.

Pete
I hunt,and I fish,therefore,I am.
My wife cleans fish better than your wife.

Miko90

Joined: 07/18/2009
Posts: 56

posted 11/02/2009 07:04 PM

Apparently anything 21' and under, you need to be wearing a PFD. I think it is from 11/1 - 4/1 or something like that.

You know because it's a lot harder to fall out of the boat or capsize it in the Spring, Summer and early fall.