Homeland Security Boats

[mike]

Leaving Gulfport Harbor yesterday, two boats with "Homeland Security" markings were coming in. I'm terrible at estimated boat sizes, but the first looked like it was perhaps an upper 20-something ft. gray rigid inflatable with a pilothouse. As it passed, I looked back and was surprised to see three 225hp Mercs hanging off the back. Wow.

The next one was a bigger and "racier" looking speedboat with a big open array radar spinning on top, and it had FOUR 225hp Mercs!

I don't know what the role of these boats is (I didn't see any readily apparent armament), but one thing's for sure, they're made to get there quick!

--Mike

[playmaker]

Saw one in Ft Myers a few weeks ago. Also had 3 engines. How bout those on the mac.

[richandlori]

let's jsut hope that they have some type of serious firepower hidden somewhere, or what can the do...ram some potential terrorrist boat?

It would be like park rangers not being allowed to carry firearms....CRAZY...just CRAZY...

Rich

[ubersonic]

Apparently local officials have more new boats courtesy of Homeland Security than they have staff to run them!

[G.F]

On a positive to the homeland security, more money has been spent on our coast guard/ homeland fleet. Not long ago, most stations where failing. Now , I see the old stations with new paint and back to life. This can only be good.

[Scott]

Me and Condy decided to strap ponies on the back in case we wanted to go wakeboarding

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

here's a pic...
https://www.piersystem.com/external/ind ... ntID=38727

[k9piper]

Ok folks ,
You have seen some of Homeland Security new toys but you only saw a few of what they have. They have the state of the art boats, aircraft, choppers and ALL sorts of new toys aimed at making the USA one hull of a safer place. They can keep an eye on you coming and going on water, land and in the air. They have had our Congress put up more money to update the Coast Guard, the INS the US Dept of AG as well as the Border Patrol and Customs. The Custom Service is the leed agency of Homeland Security. The primary responsibility on the water is the Coast Guard. The people and cargo is Customs. Aircraft and passengers is Customs and INS and AG. The new name for AG , Customs and INS is now Customs and Border Protection. That is the responsibility of CBP (Customs and Border Protection) Land, sea and air borders.
The New agency was formed about three years ago and they are just now getting everything in shape to protect the USA for our lifetime.

You might not have seen any weapons on the craft but take it from me, it would be your worse nightmere if you just up and went and messed with them. If they tell you to stop, I would strongly suggest that you do if you value your own safety and the safety of who ever is with you. I would stop. The law gives them the right to stop, search and seize any vessel on the waters of the USA. They are well trained and for the most part rather nice dedicated men and woman who are employed by them.

The orders they have is to do the job and to be nice to all. That is what they do. Sometimes they have a person or two who acts not as directed but I can assure you they are taken to task if they do not act professional to the public.
They are just like you they are doing the job they are paid for. They could even help ypu out if you are in a jam.
If you want to know why K9piper knows so much about Customs and Border Protection / Homeland Security well it is because I have worked for them for over 35 years.
In all of my times on the waters searching vessels and pleasure craft I have had very few problems with pleasure boaters, power boaters and sail boat owners and operators. As a matter of fact most boaters have been my eyes and ears out there. I thank those of you and even some on this board for making our job a little easier. It is folks like you folks that often help us keep our waters safe.
So don't worry about the arms we have on board we have them to use to protect you folks and the US.
If we attempt to stop you , please stop. If we come abord please let us know if you have a weapon on the craft so you nor we get hurt. If we are not nice and professional when we meet as we conduct our business please ask for the person incharge and lodge your complaint. We are here for you.

OK folks "nuff" said. Enjoy the water, let your sails be full and the waves smooth. Safe waters for all!

K9piper

[BK]

For you guys who sail the Long Beach area, stay far away from the ferries. I was pulled over by 2 of these Coast Guard fast boats on my way to Catalina a couple of weeks ago and they said I was too close to the ferry when I crossed the ferry lane. They wanted to know if I had taken any CG safe boating classes and I replied I am a Power Squadren member. No ticken was given, just a warning.
In Avalon, the cruise ship in port had a large 200+ feet Navy ship sitting at it's side. I think the new rule is to stay 300 feet away from these ships.
Also, I noticed that there are no container or oil ships sitting inside the LB breakwater any more. They are sitting outside the breakwater. I use to enjoy looking at these ships from all over the world as I sail by.

[Catigale]

You guys who have any kind of Navy activity need to know this cold...

<500 yards of commissioned (includes the Constitution in Boston Harbor!!) Navy vessels - minimum speed to maintain steerage

<100 yards - do not approach

See here if you are a Boat US member

Catigale

[Chip Hindes]

I was pulled over by 2 of these Coast Guard fast boats on my way to Catalina a couple of weeks ago and they said I was too close to the ferry when I crossed the ferry lane.

Two fast boats to pull over a Mac for crossing too close to a ferry?

Your tax dollars at work.

Pardon me, Coasties and other HS types, but if this is the new model of what we can expect to see, it seems to me the bad guys are winning.

[mike]

Two fast boats to pull over a Mac for crossing too close to a ferry?

I live in a pretty quiet town. Often, when something happens that requires the police, several units will respond... even if it's something very minor that (unless I'm missing something) does not appear to require more than one officer. I think these guys get bored, and when there is "action" to be had, they all want a piece of it.

As for the H.S. boats in Gulfport, the ferries that take passengers to Ship Island depart from there... I wonder if that's who they are supposed to be protecting. Or, maybe it's the commercial shipping traffic they look after.

--Mike

[Chip Hindes]

And if you look like dope-smokin' biker trash or radical tree-huggers, even if you aren't...

OK, but only one smiley face...does that mean you're kidding?

Is this why you shaved off your beard and cut your hair, or (like me) did you just want to look younger than you are?

[Catigale]

BK

How close is "too close" if you care to report???

(Feel free to push the 5th amendment button if you wish, although I recommend carrying a copy of the Constitution to remind some of our folks in government about our country they are trying to run....)

(deallocate memory for political diatribe)

Seriously, I see pleasure boats hopping around the Woods Hole Ferries all the time in MA -Im talking < 5 boat lengths away...CG is stationed right there and they dont do anything about it.

CG boarding a vessel on a judgment call like this is way out of line -short of crossing in front of a ferry in a manner which made the ferry captain alter course, a bark on the VHF would be appropriate, and if the offender did not acknowledge, a bark on the hailer.....

[Frank C]

. . . CG boarding a vessel on a judgment call like this is way out of line -short of crossing in front of a ferry in a manner which made the ferry captain alter course, a bark on the VHF would be appropriate, and if the offender did not acknowledge, a bark on the hailer.....

Not a defense of any particular action, just an observation . . .

Enforcement policies seem to be "very localized." We have three of the largest Coastie cutters (378-footers, awesomely powerful & majestic) berthed directly across the channel from our ramp, aligned bow-to-stern along a wharf on what is called Government Island. (Cutters 719, 722 and 724 sit there pretty much full-time - makes me wonder, regretfully, if they might not have the budget to operate).

At this spot the channel is perhaps 180 yds wide. Cruising at center-channel places us closer than 100 yds. to the cutters. I've heard them bark over the ship's speakers, "Private vessel! Please maintain your distance from this ship!" So I just make sure I'm not at center-channel, or closer to those cutters.

Policies at our 3 Bay Area airports are also "very localized." This doesn't apply at San Francisco or San Jose airports, but the Oakland airport is rigorous about denying any "curb time" at arrivals. You cannot stop & idle your car at the arrivals curb for more than 60 seconds before a uniform is waving you off, forcing another circuit around the airport loop. It's just a question of how the local port manager interprets his "security" charter.

As a result of Oakland's curb policy, airport pickups have discovered an informal parking area adjacent to United's maint. hanger, about a mile distant from arrivals. My Mate must wait there until I phone that I'm standing ready at the curb, and then she can swoop-in for my curb pickup ... Not complaining, just observing.

Remember how Roy Rogers could hop, skip & "swing a leg" to mount Trigger as he ran by, chasing the black hats? That's what Oakland reminds me of ...