The Marine Patrol Is Ruining Boating

[Lakesrider]

Wow. Lots of stories of encounters. Any videos of these? Anyone call the MP Headquarters with complaints? Anyone call WMUR and ask for a story? Maybe send a copy of this thread to the MP and to WMUR?

As far as having them do a turn and follow I can attest to that one. Right at the beginning of the season I was heading from the ramp in Center Harbor to my dock at Quayside/Trexlers. MP boat spotted me as I was the only one out there. Came by me, but farther than 150'. He then turned a 180, crossed my wake and started to follow me around the point. So I simply turned to starboard and made a complete 360 crossing his wake and started following him. And him me. I figured he was going to throttle down, but he didn't and continued off toward Long Island.

You really don't have to put up with the MP. And remember the part about going on your driving record is only if you are convicted. Fight the ticket. And if you win in court mail the MP a copy of your expungment with a box of cho-chip cookies .

Lets take back the water.......

[VtSteve]

It sounds like many of them have the typical small town sheriff syndrome. I don't think anyone could have any admiration for those actions, it's childish, and it's a waste of resources. They already are way behind the curve on getting the real problems solved, so it's ridiculous that they try to create situations where none exist.

They either need to grow up, or get the heck out of the biz.

[Airwaves]

Originally posted by Lakesrider

As far as having them do a turn and follow I can attest to that one. Right at the beginning of the season I was heading from the ramp in Center Harbor to my dock at Quayside/Trexlers. MP boat spotted me as I was the only one out there. Came by me, but farther than 150'. He then turned a 180, crossed my wake and started to follow me around the point. So I simply turned to starboard and made a complete 360 crossing his wake and started following him. And him me. I figured he was going to throttle down, but he didn't and continued off toward Long Island.

I always tell family and friends that are headed to the lake, especially early and late in the season, that when they see a MP boat head in another direction because they are generally bored and are looking for "something" to do and you could become that "something"!

Originally posted by VtSteve

It sounds like many of them have the typical small town sheriff syndrome. I don't think anyone could have any admiration for those actions, it's childish, and it's a waste of resources. They already are way behind the curve on getting the real problems solved, so it's ridiculous that they try to create situations where none exist.

They either need to grow up, or get the heck out of the biz.

Many of them are seasonal employees...college kids...etc. Not year round MPOs. That may account for what I call the small town sheriff cowboy attitude that some have.

[SAUGUS BOATER]

Originally Posted by Lakesrider

Wow. Lots of stories of encounters. Any videos of these? Anyone call the MP Headquarters with complaints? Anyone call WMUR and ask for a story? Maybe send a copy of this thread to the MP and to WMUR?

As far as having them do a turn and follow I can attest to that one. Right at the beginning of the season I was heading from the ramp in Center Harbor to my dock at Quayside/Trexlers. MP boat spotted me as I was the only one out there. Came by me, but farther than 150'. He then turned a 180, crossed my wake and started to follow me around the point. So I simply turned to starboard and made a complete 360 crossing his wake and started following him. And him me. I figured he was going to throttle down, but he didn't and continued off toward Long Island.

You really don't have to put up with the MP. And remember the part about going on your driving record is only if you are convicted. Fight the ticket. And if you win in court mail the MP a copy of your expungment with a box of cho-chip cookies .

Lets take back the water.......

Lakesider, I love your approach. Way to beat the M.P.'s at their own silly game !!! And the choco-chip cookies are just the icing on the cake.

[VitaBene]

Usually we see the old Performer over in Moultonborough Bay, but Saturday an unmarked Donzi passed us with 2 officers and a dog. We were anchored over near Camp Tecumseh (sic?). Is this a special MP unit?

[Lakegeezer]

Originally Posted by VitaBene

Usually we see the old Performer over in Moultonborough Bay, but Saturday an unmarked Donzi passed us with 2 officers and a dog. We were anchored over near Camp Tecumseh (sic?). Is this a special MP unit?

We noticed the Donzi too. Nice boat with a 250 HP outboard. Saw it later in the evening, docked for the nite at 19 Mile while going for icecream. It has a Fish and Game sticker on the front. Perhaps they needed something to catch the bassers?

[VitaBene]

I guess I was thinking it was a drug dog but maybe its the same dog I saw out on the ice this winter. From what I understand it could tell if you landed a salmon outside your hole.

[John E]

I boat on Ossipee, and the MP officers there have been very cordial. I've never been stopped, but spoke with several of them at the ramp and had some good conversations. I don't doubt any of the horror stories here, though.

[travaler18]

many many many years ago when I was about 14, my uncle borrowed a freinds 10ft boat with a 10 or so hp engine. we launched on the pemi at rt104 ramp. off we went with my uncle letting me drive for the first time. about 5 minutes up river a mp passed by, and waved nicely. seeing as how I was driveing my uncle and his freind were drinking beer. once by us we noticed he was coming back with blues. not knowing the law my uncles friend took his newly opened beer can and tried sinking it . well it stayed under long enough for the mp to arrive it then launched out of the water like the barrel on (JAWS). after explaining to my uncle that the boat needs to be registered, even in the river, which my uncle disputed , he explained that the driver would receive the ticket (my uncle tryed to take it), and if he would stop arguing with him he wouldnt give me a ticket for littering. He then politely explained that drinking on the boat was permitted, littering wasnt, and we could get a reg up the street. we were lucky enough to have live vests and a whistle. after wishing us a nice day he then said "by the way, please retreive your beer can".
so I had a ticket first time out

[upthesaukee]

We went to the concert in Alton Bay, complete with picnic lunch. While sitting there for about 2.5 hours (from 6:15 to 8:45), eating and listening to the concert, we also got to see a MP officer patrolling in and around the Bay, from Sandy Point to Downings. He made a few passes passed the docks, returning waves from some of the parked boaters, including me. He spotted a boater with docking lights on coming down the bay toward the docks, and simply went over by him and informed him he shouldn't be running with the lights on, except when docking, and then went about his business. I did see him with blue lights on out by Sandy Point, and it looked like he stopped someone going between the red marker and Sandy Point on plane. He ended up back in the end of the bay again, and had a rental boat heading out and they couldn't get their white light (on top of bimini) to turn on. He spent about 10 minutes with them, and let them go, I presume because the rental had an 875 phone number on it, and it wasn't quite dark. As it got dark, and he was starting to leave, he suddenly turned and headed over toward the town beach. A car pulled up in that parking lot (east side) and had a kayak on the top. It parked like they were going to put in the kayak, but a quick light up with his spotlight and a quick blue light flash sent them on their way. He then made his way out of the end of the bay and headed off past Sandy Point.
What impressed me was this officer was certainly more concerned with educating the boaters who needed his attention, and at least from what we saw, did it in a friendly, yet professional manner. Probably enhanced some boating experiences, rather than ruining them.

[hazelnut]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

We went to the concert in Alton Bay, complete with picnic lunch. While sitting there for about 2.5 hours (from 6:15 to 8:45), eating and listening to the concert, we also got to see a MP officer patrolling in and around the Bay, from Sandy Point to Downings. He made a few passes passed the docks, returning waves from some of the parked boaters, including me. He spotted a boater with docking lights on coming down the bay toward the docks, and simply went over by him and informed him he shouldn't be running with the lights on, except when docking, and then went about his business. I did see him with blue lights on out by Sandy Point, and it looked like he stopped someone going between the red marker and Sandy Point on plane. He ended up back in the end of the bay again, and had a rental boat heading out and they couldn't get their white light (on top of bimini) to turn on. He spent about 10 minutes with them, and let them go, I presume because the rental had an 875 phone number on it, and it wasn't quite dark. As it got dark, and he was starting to leave, he suddenly turned and headed over toward the town beach. A car pulled up in that parking lot (east side) and had a kayak on the top. It parked like they were going to put in the kayak, but a quick light up with his spotlight and a quick blue light flash sent them on their way. He then made his way out of the end of the bay and headed off past Sandy Point.
What impressed me was this officer was certainly more concerned with educating the boaters who needed his attention, and at least from what we saw, did it in a friendly, yet professional manner. Probably enhanced some boating experiences, rather than ruining them.

That is FANTASTIC! I love to hear stories like this. Whomever this officer is he/she should be commended for their efforts. I really like to hear that M.P. is proactively enforcing laws without needlessly issuing tickets. Thanks for this post it helps to put things in perspective. I always hope that most M.P. officers realize that they are in fact ambassadors to the lakes region!

[hilltopper]

Originally Posted by upthesaukee

As it got dark, and he was starting to leave, he suddenly turned and headed over toward the town beach. A car pulled up in that parking lot (east side) and had a kayak on the top. It parked like they were going to put in the kayak, but a quick light up with his spotlight and a quick blue light flash sent them on their way.

I don't understand what the folks in the car were doing wrong. Can you not launch a kayak from the town beach?

I agree with hazelnut. This is my impression of how the MP should operate. Some of the other MP stories are disturbing...

[chmeeee]

Originally Posted by hilltopper

I don't understand what the folks in the car were doing wrong. Can you not launch a kayak from the town beach?

I agree with hazelnut. This is my impression of how the MP should operate. Some of the other MP stories are disturbing...

At night? I would assume not...

[hilltopper]

Originally Posted by chmeeee

At night? I would assume not...

I've never seen or heard of a law that says it's illegal to kayak at night. You'd need a light on the kayak viewable for 360 degrees to make it legal.

Nothing better than kayaking at night under a moonlit sky. On smaller, less populated bodies of water I might even do it without a light (OH THE HORROR!!!!!).

[upthesaukee]

the kayak was a sit upon type, and while not impossible to have a light, it is highly unlikely that they did. In fact, in my experience around Alton Bay, I have never seen a kayak at night with a light on it...but I have seen a couple truly in the dark without a light, including one in the middle of the bay in front of the town docks (last year, I believe). Not saying they (the other night) would be wrong, but I doubt the way they took off that they would be using lights.

[Airwaves]

I don’t believe the law that requires navigation lights on non-power boats require that the all around white light be attached to a kayak, canoe, rowboat etc.

Below is the law. There is a diagram showing the lighting configuration but for some reason I couldn’t copy it to paste it here but it clearly shows a drawing of a person holding an all around light in their hand.

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/saf-c400.html

Saf-C 403.16 Lights on Non-Power Boats.

(a) Boats propelled by oars, paddles or other human or natural device except sails, operated on any public water, shall, between sunset and sunrise, display one white light in a conspicuous position, so placed as to show all around the horizon.

[NoBozo]

I think an All Around light at night for a Kayak, Rowboat, Canoe, etc... is a common FLASHLIGHT... directed toward an approaching boat so as to alert the approaching boat of your presence.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by NoBozo

I think an All Around light at night for a Kayak, Rowboat, Canoe, etc... is a common FLASHLIGHT... directed toward an approaching boat so as to alert the approaching boat of your presence.

I don't think that (a flashlight) qualifies. The intent is to have a light visible from anywhere a boat may approach the unpowered vessel. While you could argue that being able to swivel the flash meets this requirement, I'd ask what would happen when two or more boats approach from differing directions. It might be a tad tiring holding the flashlight so as to meet the 2 mile requirement as well. And on that note I've seen kayaks at night but I've wondered if their lights met the 2 mile rule. They seemed pretty dim to me.

[Kevin C]

In reading the kayak posts I thought that with all the boat traffic generated by the concert and being a Saturday Night that common sense would indicate that it might not be safe at all to be out in the area in a kayak even with a white light on. I think it was a smart move by the MP to discourage the kayaker.

[Lakegeezer]

I had an example of bush league MP action today that had me surprised and laughing. I was headed south, hugging the 3 red markers near Elkins point in M'boro bay. The MP was going north, on my starboard side, on a parallel line at least 300 feet away. As if taunting, the MP veered towards me, to close the distance. I could not believe it. It was so blatant. She was crowding me against the markers on purpose, forcing me to change course or come to idle. There was no way she needed to head me off. It was a clear case of MP abuse! Not one to be intimidated, I chuckled, cut in front of her (with at least 300 feet to spare) and headed sharply off to the west. However, her bonehead actions forced a change course and the MP lost another point of respect. It was one of the smaller MP boats. I have been noticing how the larger boats are showing more respect to other boaters and keeping their distance. Perhaps this one was looking to satisfy that end-of-month quota.