Boaters in the United States have seen some major changes in the security stance taken by the U.S. Coast Guard in their home ports. The Coast Guard is charged with enforcing all regulation of boating on navigatible waters in addition to the homeland security duties added to them since September 11th. What we have seen here in my home port of Valdez, Alaska is a sharp increase in the number of boarding being conducted by Coast Guard law enforcement vessels. Port Valdez is home to the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Terminal which facilitates transfer of about 10% of the United States crude oil supply. The Coast Guard established a security zone around the oil terminal and is understandably concerned with protecting this facility.
So what does this mean to a boater?
A Coast Guard boarding shouldn't ruin your day. Understanding the process and being properly prepared will ease the pain. This article will cover two topics concerning boardings. The first is carriage of required vessel documentation and safety equipment. The second is a description of what you might expect to occur during a boarding.
While regulations will vary from state to state, there are some basic items that any boat should carry. Depending on the size of the boat, it will either be registered by a state or ownership documented by the Coast Guard. Each person on board needs a personal floatation device (PFD) or life jacket. There are requirements for carrying fire extinguishers and distress signals. For more specific information, you can visit the Federal Requirements and Safety Tips for Recreational Boats page maintained by the Coast Guard. Another good idea is to ask for a Vessel Safety Check inspection from a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or U.S. Power Squadron. Successfully completing this inspection will ensure that you comply with safety regulations.
So what will happen during a boarding?
A boarding from the Coast Guard begins with the hailing of your boat by radio or voice command. Depending on the weather, you will want to position your vessel to allow clear access for the boarding team. Coast Guard law enforcement officers are armed just like any other member of the law enforcement community. Don't freak out about it. You are not in imminent danger, even if they look like kids! One of the first questions the officer will ask is if you have any weapons onboard. This question is for everyone's protection. Barring specific state statues, it is not illegal to carry a weapon onboard a boat. Many boaters carry guns for hunting and self-defense purposes. The Coast Guard officer will ask you where the weapon is located. Don't reach to it and offer to show it to him! Just tell the officer where it is located; he will not likely to even want to see it. You can expect to be asked to produce current registration or documentation for the boat, show that you are carrying enough PFDs for everyone present, that your distress signals are not expired and have a fully charged fire extinguisher onboard. Once you verify these requirements, you will be free to continue your trip.
What happens if Coast Guard finds a violation of the safety regulations?
If you are operating your boat without important safety equipment, don't be surprised to see your voyage terminated and you are escorted back to safe moorage by the Coast Guard.
This is not punitive, it is for you and your passengers safety. The officer will issue what is called a 4100 form. It will list the specific safety violation and cite the supporting federal regulation behind it. While the form describes many dire potential consequences because of the violation, a recreational boater can easily mitigate the citation. The Coast Guard would rather you bring the boat into compliance than levy a fine. All you need to do is correct the problem and document the correction by asking for a Vessel Safety Check. You will receive a letter from the Coast Guard explaining the process. I see this many times each year and it is not difficult to resolve the problems found on your boat.
It should be noted in the interest of full disclosure that a Vessel Safety Check won't help you get out of jail free if a felony is committed!
Knowing the requirements for safety equipment and understanding the boarding process will make you and the Coast Guard boarding team happier. More safety information can be found on Visual Distress Signals and Boating Communications at Suite101. I will be posting additional articles on boating equipment use in the future. Let's all do our job correctly and have fun on the water!
Alan Sorum - Alan Sorum is the Maritime Operations Project Manager for the Prince William Sound Regional Citizens' Advisory Council (PWSRCAC). Alan is ...
