Fines on the Water?

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Fines on the Water?

wow 25 mph at night...... that's scary..... most places are 10 mph at night

 

[Tig]

Re: Fines on the Water?

I'm also in Ontario. $240.00 seems to be the going rate this year for infractions, or so my brother in-law has experienced.
I was checked last year on my way to a camp site. Just as a sanity check I chose to display my folding paddle rather that a real one or the anchor and rode that would make it optional. The officer looked at the 4 piece silly little thing and was satisfied.
They did not ask if I had a built in fuel tank. (Makes a fire extinguisher mandatory) There was no portable tank in sight.
This the the site to get all the details

 

[KermieB]

Re: Fines on the Water?

A Great Story0!!

A friend of mine was stopped a couple of years ago while fishing alone in his own bass boat. The DNR officer checked out all of his equipment and all was good until he asked to see his throwable flotation device, which he didn't have onboard.

My friends says... "If I fall in, who the hell is gonna throw it to me you stupid M&^%($ F$)#*&" The DNR officer gave him a ticket.

On another occasion, same guy with a friend running at night with no lights, and get flagged down by the DNR. They explained that they had a little engine trouble (which was a lie) and were merely trying to get home. DNR says, sorry, you should have had them in working order and starts to write the ticket. My buddy says "How much is the ticket?" DNR guy says "$60". My buddy says, "here's $120, we'll be coming back across in about 3 hours.... don't even bother stopping us...." DNR takes his money...lol

True stories.. I swear!!!

 

[TBONE59]

Re: Fines on the Water?

been pulled over twice on Lake Ontario once in Toronto harbour (first time i had my boat out) and the other on the way back in to promenade park (second time out) first time Toronto police no issue (this is a first for me i was extremely surprised) didnt check any of my gear just said i need to have a harbour licence to be where i was. second time peel police not so good went through everything in my boat but the cooler.. i wasnt going to say anything... asked for my boat licence, driver licence, insurance, and registration for the boat, and id for everyone in the boat 4 others. after stressing the importance of having a chain on my anchor i got nabbed for no flairs 125$ fine. i knew i was missing them and it was on the list but 1. i never stay out anywhere close to dusk 2. the boat had 5 hours on it and i told them i got pulled by Toronto last time i was out. i have been on lake ontario 3 times total this year. been sticking to simcoe latley

 

[RickJ6956]

Re: Fines on the Water?

Boating/drinking violations in NY state go on the drivers license -- and they are strict. I do my drinkin' when boating & driving are done for the day.

Interesting: The Coast Guard Aux courtesy exam inspector told me to shake up CO2 fire extinguishers every couple of months. He says they cake up in the bottom and become less effective even though the gauge still shows green. I figure it's nothing to mess with, so that's on the checklist from now on.

 

[Thad]

Re: Fines on the Water?

As to the fines or a warning, it is usually at the discretion of the officer. As for cost of the fine, I think we have established that it varies across the board.

I have only to offer what I do. (Now, new this season boaters, take note. After you have ALL of your safety equipment, this may help you out next year)

At the end of the season, I remove my spare props, anchors, ropes, skiis, pfd's, etc. and they go on a "reserved" set of shelves and closet rod. Then, I take a plastic tote. One that is sufficient in size for what I need. I then remove ALL of my safety equipment from the boat. This is both fire extinguishers, tool kit, first aid kit, flares, registration, insurance info, back-up whistle, fuses,etc. Then, the tote goes on the shelf also. Now everything that I need for the boat is in ONE place and ready to be put back in. Next Spring, tote comes out, everything back in the boat. This may seam a little overboard, but if I have certain items IN MY HAND that have expirations what better time to check them rather than trying to remember to do it when they are out of sight, out of mind. Also, I know that I have all of the items I need in the boat. (Plus, getting that good deep cleaning in the boat is easier with everything out of it.)

I don't know if this will help all, but it gives me a great piece of mind knowing that I have everything I need, and I can check the condition of every item as I put it back in the boat. If something need replaced, that item is put to the side, in my way, to serve as a "string around my finger" to get a new one before I go out.

Happy boating.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Fines on the Water?

I decided to seek clarification on the Ohio law... here is what I got:

The Division of Watercraft uses 1501:47-3-35 which states no person
shall overtly and publicly consume or display the presence of any beer
or intoxicating liquor on any watercraft on any waters administered be
the division of parks and recreation.

Our law does not differentiate or talk about the "confines" of a space.
If you are in a cabin of a sailboat and you can be seen overtly and
publicly consuming or displaying the presence of beer or an intoxicating
liquor you are in violation of 1501:47-3-35

Officer XXXX SSSS
ODNR - Division of Watercraft​

 

[GatorMike]

Re: Fines on the Water?

The only ticket I ever got on the water was a $100 fine for running through a manatee zone a few years back. The problem I had with it is here in Florida anytime a politician wants to slow down boat traffic near his boat dock they call it a manatee zone. Many of these zones have not seen a manatee since the spanish explorers were around several hundred years ago. I for one will be glad when the last manatee dies and we can drive our boats fast again.

Seriously though I am all for protecting those critters but they use the manatee as an excuse for other purposes. The sign marking the zone I was caught speeding through was 100 yds out of the channel, if you saw the sign you were not watching where you were going. The water cop that wrote me a ticket was hiding in a mangrove island cove waiting for someone to miss the sign. It was a speed trap and he knew somebody would not see the sign. The other thing that irks me is I see Sheriff and Marine patrol boats on plane in these zones all the time. They know which zones manatees use and which ones they don't use.

Basicaly you will find manatees in power plant discharges, fresh water springs, canals and inlets yet you find the signs in open water anytime somebody wants to slow down traffic. I would have no problem if they would call these zones what they really are, speed zones, no wake zones, or idle speed zones..... not manatee zones.

BTW manatees taste good with a little A1 sauce.

 

[swift1]

Re: Fines on the Water?

As to the fines or a warning, it is usually at the discretion of the officer. As for cost of the fine, I think we have established that it varies across the board.

I have only to offer what I do. (Now, new this season boaters, take note. After you have ALL of your safety equipment, this may help you out next year)

At the end of the season, I remove my spare props, anchors, ropes, skiis, pfd's, etc. and they go on a "reserved" set of shelves and closet rod. Then, I take a plastic tote. One that is sufficient in size for what I need. I then remove ALL of my safety equipment from the boat. This is both fire extinguishers, tool kit, first aid kit, flares, registration, insurance info, back-up whistle, fuses,etc. Then, the tote goes on the shelf also. Now everything that I need for the boat is in ONE place and ready to be put back in. Next Spring, tote comes out, everything back in the boat. This may seam a little overboard, but if I have certain items IN MY HAND that have expirations what better time to check them rather than trying to remember to do it when they are out of sight, out of mind. Also, I know that I have all of the items I need in the boat. (Plus, getting that good deep cleaning in the boat is easier with everything out of it.)

I don't know if this will help all, but it gives me a great piece of mind knowing that I have everything I need, and I can check the condition of every item as I put it back in the boat. If something need replaced, that item is put to the side, in my way, to serve as a "string around my finger" to get a new one before I go out.

Happy boating.

I like this idea - makes it harder to forget something in the spring, and would help keep my garage a bit more organized! Of course, in my case I was negligent in the fact that I hadn't yet picked up a fire extinguisher, so no excuse on my part. I did think he was going to let me off with a warning though, as we went through all the items, I had everything required, and I was wearing my PFD at the time. I guess being the start of the season it's time for tough reminders to have everything in place.

 

[Four Winns Erie]

Re: Fines on the Water?

A few years ago, at the start of the season I saw my flares were going to expire the end of july. I totally forgot about it, and was out august 4th and get pulled over for a "safety check". As soon as the officer asks to see the flares I remember they are expired. He tells me a $90 fine. I say this wasn't a flagrant violation, just a slight mistake on my part, could you let me off with a warning? He says I don't give warnings, I give fines. The officer was an unreasonable prick in my opinion. I was respectfull and curtious to him, but did not get that in return. Anyways, I make sure my flares are always up to date, and have been safety checked numerous times since then, thankfully never running into that prick again.

 

[hubbard53]

Re: Fines on the Water?

A few years ago, at the start of the season I saw my flares were going to expire the end of july. I totally forgot about it, and was out august 4th and get pulled over for a "safety check". As soon as the officer asks to see the flares I remember they are expired. He tells me a $90 fine. I say this wasn't a flagrant violation, just a slight mistake on my part, could you let me off with a warning? He says I don't give warnings, I give fines. The officer was an unreasonable prick in my opinion. I was respectfull and curtious to him, but did not get that in return. Anyways, I make sure my flares are always up to date, and have been safety checked numerous times since then, thankfully never running into that prick again.

it's experiences like this that make you wonder what is more important to them: Safety or Money.

 

[md-lucky]

Re: Fines on the Water?

it's experiences like this that make you wonder what is more important to them: Safety or Money.

I can't beleive anyone would still be on the fence about this item.

Fines are a cash cow for states.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Fines on the Water?

A few years ago, at the start of the season I saw my flares were going to expire the end of july. I totally forgot about it, and was out august 4th and get pulled over for a "safety check". As soon as the officer asks to see the flares I remember they are expired. He tells me a $90 fine. I say this wasn't a flagrant violation, just a slight mistake on my part, could you let me off with a warning? He says I don't give warnings, I give fines.

So... Here is what you tell officer friendly. If these flares are expired, you won't mind if I fire a couple off into your boat, because obviously they don't work because they are past an arbitrary date on the package...

(luckily no flares required where I boat, people wouldn't know what to do if they saw one anyway!)

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Fines on the Water?

Interesting: The Coast Guard Aux courtesy exam inspector told me to shake up CO2 fire extinguishers every couple of months. He says they cake up in the bottom and become less effective even though the gauge still shows green. I figure it's nothing to mess with, so that's on the checklist from now on.

Not true and not needed. CO2 is stored as a liquid inside the container. Unless you get it extremely cold, it won't precipitate out as a solid and there are no other things to cake up other than CO2, so it can't happen.

The instant you hit the trigger, the pressure drops, and the liquid boils. What you see come out is more or less CO2 'steam', the gas released from boiling.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Fines on the Water?

Got an interesting one to add...

Couple years ago I owned a speedboat boat with a very pointed nose. The gunwale formed more or a less a fairly pointed V.

Anyway, I had the lettering/reg sticker below the rub rail, and end up getting stopped because it wasn't visible enough. Game warden says it should be on top because it is angled. (no fine, just a written warning). Ok fine, I'll move them. I had bought the boat out of state, so the stickers were new and I could pull them off and move them fairly easily.

so fast forward one year and a different lake. Stopped again, this time the game warden tells me they have to be on the hull itself below the rub rail!!! (no fine, written warning again!) arggggggggggggggggggg!!


no longer have the boat, but I kept copies of both written warnings WITH pictures of the stickers in the boat for the one day I got stopped again. I was HOPING it would happen, and of course, never did.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fines on the Water?

smoking--do one side one way and the other side the other way!

4winns, your cop is the kind that needs to find another job. No excuse for that behavior.

However I disagree with posts that "it's about the money." The officers don't get the money or even a commission, thank Cod, and their departments probably don't get the money. Fines go to general fund and court expenses. There is no financial motivation at the officer's level.

it's about the power. Like the dog joke, "Because he can." It is what motivates bad cops to be cops in the first place. He may be mad that you are having fun andhe isn't; you can afford a boat and a vacation and he can't; your life, with cute family displayed, is not his miserable lot.
be certain: I am not saying all cops, or even most cops, are like this. I'm just explaining why the few bad ones act like they do.

As to discretion to give warnings, on the water and off, cops are safer to give a ticket and let the judge give the warning. They can't be criticized for exercising judgment--your case is not a good example, but to use it: what if you didn't replace them and then you needed the flares next trip and they didn't work and someone was lost--it will come back to bite him. Remember the days when they told drunks to be careful driving the rest of the way home? an extreme counterexample to the Great Expired Flare Crimewave but it makes the point.

Still, your cop was a dk.

 

[lncoop]

Re: Fines on the Water?

BTW manatees taste good with a little A1 sauce.

MMMMMM. Manatee.

 

[Thad]

Re: Fines on the Water?

Staying to the original post, let me put in perspective that could apply to all.

Let's say Home cookin' (just an example cause you are the last post I saw) were out on the water and had a mishap. Let's say for the sake of argument that your engine wiring caught on fire.
Now, your extinguisher is empty because you had been fighting the fire, you have people over board trying to get away from the potential explosion. A couple of them do not have PFD's because some of them were stowed in the hatch and are now fuel for the fire.

I see you and rush over to assist you with your fire and to bring your passengers aboard for safety. I reach for my extinguisher and realize I left it at home along with my throwable device. So I get my flares out to signal boats further away we need help. They are a little old but should still work. So I pop one off and WOW, see, it does work. UhOh! It only went up a few yards and fizzled out, no one saw it.

So now, myself and my passengers are trying to get you out of your boat into mine, and your now victims in the water trying to stay afloat into my boat all the while putting me, my passengers, and my vessle in harms way and creating the potential for a bigger rescue, or maybe even recovery mission for someone else.

This may sound harsh or extreme, and maybe a part of me wants it to be, but that is the hard reality of life on the water away from the comforts we take for granted on land. Anything can happen at any time for any reason and WE ALL need to be prepared to help with a solution rather than help create a bigger problem.

Take your lumps and fork over the cash if you are fined! Get to the store and buy what you need.

Thank the officer, get off the water, and get to the store and buy your gear if you are given a warning.

If it expires in two months, as far as I'm concerned it's expired NOW while I'm looking at it. Buy it NOW and not try to remember it until after the fact.

 

[Philster]

Re: Fines on the Water?

So I was out on the water over the weekend testing the boat out after the latest repair. Running perfect except for the speedo (was reading 47 mph - gps showed a more realistic 41.)

By the way, does your GPS readout in knots? .... because 41 knots is 47 MPH.

 

[phwrd]

Re: Fines on the Water?

I earned myself a DUI in New Hampshire, 12-15 years ago. They did suspend my drivers privileges in their fine state for a year.

The paperwork also stated that i was't allowed to operate a boat in their waters for the same period of time. Wonder if you get a BUI, if you lose the right to operate a motor vehicle in their state ?