MP Patrols

ebizboy · 04-28-2004, 02:11 PM

For the most part I have had positive experiences with the MPs. Although they are mostly young kids there have been very respectful whenever I have encountered them. I did have one experience when I first started boating, about 10 years ago where I was less than enthusiastic about their presence, however. I was a brand new boater and completely ignorant of most of the rules. It was probably around 6:00 or so on a Sunday night, so there were not many other boaters about at the time. I was headed toward the Long Island bridge from the West side and saw an MP sitting about 1/2 mile in front of the no wake zone before the bridge. He was right in the middle of the path between the bridge and me. I waved and gave him a friendly smile as I proceeded to make as wide an arch as possible around him at about 15 - 20 knots. Of course he stopped me, checked out my boat and wrote me up for the 150' rule. He was an older gentlemen and wasn't rude in any way. He gave me a rulebook and suggested I get to know it inside and out. I was also ordered to take the marine course and get my boating certificate. Whether or not I was within 150' of him is debatable, but I must say that at the time I was not altogether thrilled with his methods. In hindsight it is probably the best thing that could have happened to me. Since the law didn't require me to take the course at that time, I probably would not have taken it otherwise and it turned out to be a great experience. The class was excellent but I credit that entirely to the instructor. I don't remember his name but I know he patrolled Lake Winni at the time and looked a lot like John Candy.

04-28-2004, 02:11 PM	#32
ebizboy Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 12 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Baited but..... For the most part I have had positive experiences with the MPs. Although they are mostly young kids there have been very respectful whenever I have encountered them. I did have one experience when I first started boating, about 10 years ago where I was less than enthusiastic about their presence, however. I was a brand new boater and completely ignorant of most of the rules. It was probably around 6:00 or so on a Sunday night, so there were not many other boaters about at the time. I was headed toward the Long Island bridge from the West side and saw an MP sitting about 1/2 mile in front of the no wake zone before the bridge. He was right in the middle of the path between the bridge and me. I waved and gave him a friendly smile as I proceeded to make as wide an arch as possible around him at about 15 - 20 knots. Of course he stopped me, checked out my boat and wrote me up for the 150' rule. He was an older gentlemen and wasn't rude in any way. He gave me a rulebook and suggested I get to know it inside and out. I was also ordered to take the marine course and get my boating certificate. Whether or not I was within 150' of him is debatable, but I must say that at the time I was not altogether thrilled with his methods. In hindsight it is probably the best thing that could have happened to me. Since the law didn't require me to take the course at that time, I probably would not have taken it otherwise and it turned out to be a great experience. The class was excellent but I credit that entirely to the instructor. I don't remember his name but I know he patrolled Lake Winni at the time and looked a lot like John Candy.