Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

[airdvr1227]

Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

Ohio's watercraft officers have been overstepping their bounds for years. From the article...House Bill 29 specifies that the state?s law enforcement personnel may only stop a vessel if they have reasonable suspicion that the vessel or vessel?s operator are in violation of marine law or otherwise engaged in criminal activity. Currently, a boater on Lake Erie may be stopped by a state watercraft officer, local marine patrol, or the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct a safety check, sometimes multiple times in one day.

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

Seems like this "state’s law enforcement personnel may only stop a vessel if they have reasonable suspicion that the vessel or vessel’s operator are in violation of marine law"

Is probably what they are already doing. It is always very easy to figure out who the sheriff is going to pull over for a safety check around here.

 

[BobGinCO]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

It is always very easy to figure out who the sheriff is going to pull over for a safety check around here.

By bikini density?

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

By bikini density?

Generally large groups of young adults with beverages in their hands and no visible jackets. While you are not required to wear them here unless you are a young child (and we don't) it is usually a safe assumption that the boat stuffed to capacity with a group of folks out partying do not have the required number and sizes of PFD's with them.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

Ayuh,... 'round here, on the Lake, I'm fishin', 'n it's always starts as a License check, 'n goes from there,...

Up on the St. Lawrence River, it starts 'bout a License check, or Safety check, or just Checkin' checks it seems,...

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

There are too many law enforcement branches patrolling Lake Erie. You have the local sheriff, State DNR, and Homeland Security. And they all need to take a lesson in civility.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

Thankfully at the lake I go to, I've never been stopped.
Only time the warden stops people is if their fishing, or acting like complete knuckleheads.

 

[skydiveD30571]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

There's some of that same stuff here in Kansas too. My first year owning my boat, I was clueless and lacking common sense. Both in boating and in life. El Dorado lake has a party cove, and while there I drank more than I should have. Leaving there, I tried to be super cautious getting back across the lake. I was fine for an hour, then got stopped for "wake in a no-wake zone". I was at such a low idle speed that blowing on the throttle would knock it back into neutral. Anyway, I was legal on all boating things except for alcohol saturation. Learned a lot of lessons that day. While chatting with a bail bondsman at court, he said the rangers are monitoring the party cove and when a boat leaves, it is automatically on a watch list. If seen, it will be immediately stopped. No reason other than that you were in a spotted in a specific cove.

 

[southkogs]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

TWRA guys down here may check, but they'll also give a decent fishing report while alongside. The Sheriff hasn't ever been anything but civil either. Never encountered USCG down here in TN ... but they're here somewhere :suspicious:

 

[Bondo]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

There are too many law enforcement branches patrolling Lake Erie. You have the local sheriff, State DNR, and Homeland Security. And they all need to take a lesson in civility.

Ayuh,... We Are boatin' on an International Border,...

There's another 3 or 4 or 5 layers of Leo's on the St. Lawrence, compared to out here on the lake though,...

 

[pine island fred]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

Sounds good but nothing will change, they will come up with an excuse to stop and board you and if there is a complaint, it goes no further than their supervisor who is of the same mind set as they are. Ones having a badges and authority over others is worthless unless they can exercise it.
A few weekends ago there was a barge party to raise money for a charity on PINE ISLAND. SAT. and SUN., two bands on a barge anchored in shallow water. Well there must have been one of those UNIDENTIFIED INFORMANTS who said there was going to be a terrorist attack. All the stops were pulled out an any law enforcement agency that had a boat showed up. Ever un marked jet skis. You would think it was a STURGIS or grateful dead get together. Very unpleasant. Instead of being discrete and anchoring in the mangroves until being called, they had to show off and maintain a high profile, constantly idling around boats and swimmers in the shallows, blue light flashing. Even the coast guard auxiliary had to get involved although they have no authority. If that was not enough, the sheriffs helicopter had to buzz by a few times on SUN.
In their zeal, they probably ruined it as most in attendance were annoyed and will probably not show up next year. I know I wont be there. This part of FL. is mostly retired or older responsible people, very few young yahoos not like some of those party coves. regards FRED

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

First, I am in favor of a law that says any law enforcement officer has to have probable cause to stop and inspect a boat 9or car or pedestrian) for that matter.

As said, they will use any pretext of they want to stop anyone. "You swerved" is all they need to say. A while ago there was alot of press about cops pulling over cars with air fresheners on the mirror for "devices interferring with visibiity" and technically the cops were right. But they were clearly just using that as a pretext to pull over black drivers.

If you get pulled over for no reason, try telling them about the new statute and see what happens.

They also have a lot of other laws in their back pockets. By analogy, a traffic cop (in Virginia) can perform a full state inspection on your vehicle if he wants to.

This state law will conflict with Federal law that allows a Federal officer to search anyone who is hunting or fishing--and that includes Coast Guard if they want to, as I learned first hand. I bet Ohio has similar game laws, that will conflict.

 

[I Fish]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

There are too many law enforcement branches patrolling Lake Erie. You have the local sheriff, State DNR, and Homeland Security. And they all need to take a lesson in civility.

You forgot Coast Guard, and, State Watercraft, which are somewhat separate from Wildlife, meaning there are at least 5 different entities all doing the same thing. It's fairly common for people on Lake Erie to be stopped multiple times a day by different agencies. One buddy got stopped 8 or 9 times in 3 days. I call that harassment.

Actually, it hasn't passed into law yet, but it has passed the House.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

I learned long ago that the best defense is a good offense. I have not been stopped and inspected in over 10 years in areas that others complain about being stopped multiple times a day.

I get the boat coast guard inspected every Spring before it goes in the water. The coast guard then gives you a large sticker to display on your windshield. Best get out of jail free card on the water.

I deal with Natural resources Police the same way. I buy a ‘boat” fishing license every year which gives you a sticker for your hull.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

Ohio law enforcement has a deserved reputation for being heavy handed. I do believe a lot of their funding is from tickets. I avoid the state.

 

[I Fish]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

I get the boat coast guard inspected every Spring before it goes in the water. The coast guard then gives you a large sticker to display on your windshield. Best get out of jail free card on the water.

That sticker, just like the one on my buddies boat, will not mean a thing on Lake Erie. If you ask, they'll just say that was then, this is now. Besides that, Homeland Security, and the rest, don't give a hoot what that sticker from the Coast Guard is supposed to mean. My Dad was with my buddy one of the times when the Coast Guard came on them in their Zodiak, with a guy manning the bow mounted .50 cal pointed right at them. Another time, they tied off to his bow rail in 3 to 4 footers. Bent the heck out of it, and pulled out some of the screws. Both times, he had their sticker on his windshield. I could go on and on, with personal experiences, and that of others, which I witnessed from a distance. The pizzer is, we are fishermen, not partyers. We are either on our way to fish, fishing, or, on our way back. We don't do the raft up/party/sandbar seen, and we don't go to the bars. None of us has EVER been ticketed, only hassled, for an hour, or more. If you seen our boats, it would be pretty obvious. We never see them hassling the 40 plus footers though. Velkome to the "new" Amerika.

 

[hungupthespikes]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

Lake Erie is international waters, so yes the US border patrol and everyone else is active. Even seen the Ohio State Highway patrol on the boats. :noidea:

When the law changed were they could share assets (boats) they came out of the walls. Can't blame them, I'd much rather be on/near the water than sitting in a car or office in the summer time.

The flats in Cleveland were shut down by the abuse of the safety inspections. You could not get out of the Flats without being boarded and inspected. Lots of tickets, a long wait till your time for the boarding, and every boat was stopped. Mayor Mike White said he was going to shut down the Flats and the abuse of the law is how he did it.

"Boater Freedom Act" is long overdue.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

That sticker, just like the one on my buddies boat, will not mean a thing on Lake Erie. If you ask, they'll just say that was then, this is now. Besides that, Homeland Security, and the rest, don't give a hoot what that sticker from the Coast Guard is supposed to mean. My Dad was with my buddy one of the times when the Coast Guard came on them in their Zodiak, with a guy manning the bow mounted .50 cal pointed right at them. Another time, they tied off to his bow rail in 3 to 4 footers. Bent the heck out of it, and pulled out some of the screws. Both times, he had their sticker on his windshield. I could go on and on, with personal experiences, and that of others, which I witnessed from a distance. The pizzer is, we are fishermen, not partyers. We are either on our way to fish, fishing, or, on our way back. We don't do the raft up/party/sandbar seen, and we don't go to the bars. None of us has EVER been ticketed, only hassled, for an hour, or more. If you seen our boats, it would be pretty obvious. We never see them hassling the 40 plus footers though. Velkome to the "new" Amerika.

Interesting….

I boat in one of the most “secure” areas in the US (Washington DC and surrounding area). The Coast Guard, Navy and Homeland security all have a heavy presence because of the number of high value targets in the area.

Homeland security will not give you a second look unless you venture into a restricted area. Unlike in your case, they are too busy actually protecting something of national interest to harass the public. :lol: Stay outside the 100 yard restricted perimeter of a naval vessel and they could care less as well.

The coast guard on the other hand is the big dog on the block. They're responsbility is to enforce federal law. They do not hassle boaters unless they suspect you have commited a federal offense, typically a fisheries violation or your in a restricted area. They also show up to run you off one of the many "targets" in the area before they commence live fire drills. How thoughtful of them:lol:

On the other hand, the State Marine Police enforce the boating regulations. They tend to stay around the popular ramps and hassle the tourons and weekends warriors for licensing and safety violations. And yes, they do profile. Hummm.....20 year old bow rider or a $100K fishing boat....... they have no interest in harassing the fisherman

 

[QC]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

There are 7 LE agencies on my lake, and it is inland, very inland. Drives me nuts.

With that said, it has been good so far, but please let's keep this thread respectful. Just a friendly reminder form the very local LEOs

 

[I Fish]

Re: Ohio House Passes "Boater Freedom Act"

but please let's keep this thread respectful. Just a friendly reminder form the very local LEOs

I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but, disrespect of me by a person we are paying, in a boat we bought, is a little out of bounds.

How respectful is this? Last weekend my wife and I were going back to port. I see the Coast Guard coming in their Zodiak, with quad 250's, at a 90degree angle towards me about 2 miles out, approaching from port side. I figured I was getting pulled over and boarded, again, but, instead, they cross my stern, and come along and pass me on my starboard side, cross in front of me, then wave as they depart on the port side, making a complete circle around me, while I maintained course and speed of about 30 knots. I was the only boat in sight, and they went an easy 6 miles out of their way to do that. Am I supposed to be in awe of the Government dollar, or what?

I should add, my paycheck comes from the same bank account as theirs. They probably figured that out when they ran my hull ID while approaching from the port side. However, if I, or one of my subordinates wasted that much time and gas, there'd be an administrative action. I was not in a restricted area, I was not near a restricted area, I was not coming back from Canada as I'm sure their drones confirmed (you guys do know they patrol Lake Erie with drones, right?), I was not going at an unsafe speed, I was running during daylight hours, etc....