Why doesn’t the Coast Guard monitor boats that leave the US?

A “friend” of mine got drunk one day and started up his boat, intending to sail south from West Palm Beach, Florida down to Miami.

But I guess the direction was wrong or something. Because my friend passed out for a while with the boat still going, and when he woke up, he was about two miles north of Grand Bahama island, which is due east rather than south.

Why did this happen? I can understand that the Bahamians would have trouble patrolling all of their territorial waters, but why didn’t the Coast Guard do some kind of checkpoint before the boat left American territorial waters? What if a fugitive or someone on bail was stowing away? Shouldn’t they check that?

Do you have a grasp of the enormity of what you are asking? There are nearly 250,000 recreational vessels registered in the state of Florida – and what you are asking for is that every one of them file sailing plans with an agency akin to the FAA, then each vessel to have identification transponders for identification (at about $250,000 apiece – on top of the price of the boat), and then the specific radars to track vessels that are made of metal, fiberglass and/or wood (the last two are VERY difficult to spot on radar!!) and personnel to monitor it.

The entirity of the Bahamas are within US Territorial waters, so there isn’t a clear line of demarkation between the jurisdictions. Also, we are more interested in stopping people coming IN to our country than going OUT.

JUST for the state of Florida and the surrounding waters, you are asking for a system that will cost as much as the Health Care Bill that is being proposed by the government right now.

It ain’t gonna happen!
_______________________________

Now, to the more obvious stuff. Your friend was unconscious for more than just “a while” – it is more than 60 miles from West Palm to Grand Bahama Island – so he was out for the entire night. Your friend is VERY lucky he wasn’t killed – and even more lucky that he didn’t kill someone else. He should be very happy that we didn’t stop him for BWI, as he would end up losing more than a trip to Miami.

Sailing from RI to Key West and Back

Pacific Coast¨ Down Throw Mint $79.99 Gorgeous Mint 300 thread count brushed cotton and fluffy 525 fill power down make these throws wonderfully soft and cozy. Perfect for snuggling on the couch indoors or keeping warm while sitting outdoors! Machine washable. For 125 years, Pacific Coast¨ has been the leader in producing the most luxurious down and feather bedding products, guaranteed.

Pacific Coast¨ Down Blanket (Cream) – Full/Queen $149.99 Full/Queen-sized, Cream. 230 Thread Count 100% cotton, Hyperclean¨ Pacific Coast¨ down. The Pacific Coast¨ down blanket is a wonderful alternative for spring and summer months or for sleepers who need less warmth. Machine washable. Made in the USA of imported materials. For 125 years, Pacific Coast¨ has been the leader in producing the most luxurious down and feather bedding products, guaranteed.

Pacific Coast¨ Down Blanket (Cream) – King $179.99 King-sized, Cream. 230 Thread Count 100% cotton, Hyperclean¨ Pacific Coast¨ down. The Pacific Coast¨ down blanket is a wonderful alternative for spring and summer months or for sleepers who need less warmth. Machine washable. Made in the USA of imported materials. For 125 years, Pacific Coast¨ has been the leader in producing the most luxurious down and feather bedding products, guaranteed.

Pacific Coast¨ Down Blanket (White) – Twin $119.99 Twin-sized, White. 230 Thread Count 100% cotton, Hyperclean¨ Pacific Coast¨ down. The Pacific Coast¨ down blanket is a wonderful alternative for spring and summer months or for sleepers who need less warmth. Machine washable. Made in the USA of imported materials. For 125 years, Pacific Coast¨ has been the leader in producing the most luxurious down and feather bedding products, guaranteed.

Pacific Coast¨ Down Blanket (White) – Full/Queen $149.99 Full/Queen-sized, White. 230 Thread Count 100% cotton, Hyperclean¨ Pacific Coast¨ down. The Pacific Coast¨ down blanket is a wonderful alternative for spring and summer months or for sleepers who need less warmth. Machine washable. Made in the USA of imported materials. For 125 years, Pacific Coast¨ has been the leader in producing the most luxurious down and feather bedding products, guaranteed.

---

Comments are closed