Police Stop!

[jyasaki]

US-based response here:

If you decide to boat on US navigable waters, you consent, by default, to allow any legitimate law enforcement entity to stop, board, and inspect your vessel, at any time. It is not all that common to be pulled over and inspected, but it does happen (more, I think, for training purposes than anything.) It's just a condition you operate under.

I have been inspected by the CG once: I think they were looking for people running dive classes off recreational boats (which is illegal here; you have to be a licensed Captain to conduct business on a boat); they checked registration, required safety equipment, asked if anyone was a dive instructor, asked if anyone had been or was being charged to get on board, then wrote it up while I chatted to the driver about the SAFE boat. They handed me the inspection report, and cut us loose. Polite, respectful, and reasonably quick.

Not a big deal. Entire episode, from lighting me up to letting us go, was perhaps 10 minutes.


jky

[Paul Beaurain]

We are very aware that getting stopped is almost a fact of life.
Last times we did the Thames trip we radioed into Wapping Police and 'registered' our presence as we entered 'their' river space. Boat type/Name/no on board and purpose.
Having done this all the Police did all day was wave at us as we blatted past.
Paul

[John Kennett]

I think that this is probably Thames Div's survival strategy in the face of cutbacks. If they hadn't come up with a counter terrorist angle, who knows if there would even be river police any more?

In my experience they are good to have around (they did tow me home on Christmas day one year after I had fuel problems, so I am at least a little biased!), and stopping for a chat and giving a name and address isn't a bad deal.

John

[hobnob]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

I think that this is probably Thames Div's survival strategy in the face of cutbacks. If they hadn't come up with a counter terrorist angle, who knows if there would even be river police any more?

In my experience they are good to have around (they did tow me home on Christmas day one year after I had fuel problems, so I am at least a little biased!), and stopping for a chat and giving a name and address isn't a bad deal.

John

Funnily enough they were impressed by the 30l of fuel we had on board! We were using 4l/hr and only one throttle setting - WOT. Despite this we weren't speeding on account of the weight.

Thanks to all for the shared experiences and opinions.

[Swifty]

Anyone know whats under the yellow buoys infront HoP?

My guess is whatever it might be, its not gonna be friendly or ask to see my documents!

Tim.

[Downhilldai]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

...they did tow me home on Christmas day one year after I had fuel problems....

What? You ran out of fuel?

[John Kennett]

No, the fuel pickup in the tank was blocked.

John

[Merlins helper]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Maybe if they hadn't let so many people into the country things would be different - and of course it's not PC to only stop the REAL suspects.......

Bla Bla Bla Bla

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Merlins helper

Bla Bla Bla Bla

Cave too cold for you? Must be warmer than under the bridge...........

[Bigmuz7]

Originally Posted by codprawn

Cave too cold for you? Must be warmer than under the bridge...........

I think its time Merlins Ip was exposed Anyway .. I thought cod baiting was restricted under new EU laws