The Marine Patrol Is Ruining Boating

lawn psycho · 07-04-2009, 08:57 PM

the easiest way to play the game is to just back off the throttle anytime they are around and 2-3 minutes later they're gone. If you get stopped I would be overly nice so they don't have any reason.

May not be the way you feel at the moment but if you are nice to the fuzz, your chances of them not writing you up go up dramatically. FWIW, in 7 years of boating I have never been stopped for any reason so maybe I've just been lucky.

trfour · 07-06-2009, 04:13 AM

no paddles and or boat but plenty of cold water under you. Think about it folks. The Marine Patrol does a much better job than could be related to by some in this thread. Love them or not, they are here to do a job. No hitters in professional sports is one thing. Who among us has witnessed a cautious driver while in our daily commute to work! And we say to ourselves, please get this maniac off of our highways.
Life lets us lose some, and also win some. As much that we all love winni.
Let us let the Marine Patrol do their job, and let us do ours!!

BroadHopper · 07-06-2009, 09:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lawn psycho

the easiest way to play the game is to just back off the throttle anytime they are around and 2-3 minutes later they're gone. If you get stopped I would be overly nice so they don't have any reason.

May not be the way you feel at the moment but if you are nice to the fuzz, your chances of them not writing you up go up dramatically. FWIW, in 7 years of boating I have never been stopped for any reason so maybe I've just been lucky.

That is the way I feel about the MP. Once I see them, I slow down to no wake. They never bother me. Unfortunately this waste a lot of gas. And my guest thinks I am intimidated by the MP. They are right. I'm not enjoying what I love to do if I am intimidated.

chipj29 · 07-06-2009, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BroadHopper

That is the way I feel about the MP. Once I see them, I slow down to no wake. They never bother me. Unfortunately this waste a lot of gas. And my guest thinks I am intimidated by the MP. They are right. I'm not enjoying what I love to do if I am intimidated.

You aren't kidding. I boat a lot on the Merrimack, and when MP does show up, everyone warns each other, and most just avoid the end of the river they are on. Sure enough, on Saturday one of my buddies got nailed for another one of the "forced" 150' violation. He was cruising along, and the MP put himself in his way with no way around. Ended up with an $80 ticket after spending almost 45 mins with the MP.

osterber · 07-07-2009, 10:40 AM

I've only been stopped by MP once, about 10-12 years ago. We usually are on the lake one week every summer in Tuftonboro, and are fortunate to be at a place that has about 700 feet of empty waterfront on either side of the dock until the next dock. So we're fortunate to have easy access in and out of our dock area without other hazards. One day, while waterskiing, we dropped the skier a little too close to the dock, and were pulled over. Got away with just a warning fortunately, after a safety check.

For our own safety, ever since then, we just don't waterski if there is a MP boat in the area. We're quite safe, but just don't take the chance.

-Rick

Ross_t · 07-07-2009, 01:53 PM

I'm a bit paranoid when I see a MP boat in the area as well. I always (try to) abide by boating laws and regulations, but still feel uneasy when they're in the area. On the other hand, I always wish one was around when some idiot almost swamps my boat by going full speed 20 feet away from me!

VtSteve · 07-07-2009, 02:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ross_t

I'm a bit paranoid when I see a MP boat in the area as well. I always (try to) abide by boating laws and regulations, but still feel uneasy when they're in the area. On the other hand, I always wish one was around when some idiot almost swamps my boat by going full speed 20 feet away from me!

The only times I've been stopped by the MP, or over here by state police or Coast Guard, is for standard/random inspections.

In all my years of boating, I've personally never seen and of the idiotic boaters like you've just described being stopped. I'm sure some have, I've just never seen them.

For the stops posted about above, the MP's sure must be a bored lot, and they must never see Captain Bonehead either. I doubt there's anyone in this forum that wouldn't know exactly where to keep post to fine them. If the MP is reading this board, it does certainly give hints.

Rattlesnake Guy · 07-07-2009, 07:17 PM

Sunday night we were at the Weirs and saw a boater approach a stationary MP at about 15mph. The MP was not in a trap location. The passage was going to be about 30 feet. We all said, "he is dead". Sure enough, the blue lights came on. Sometimes they do get the bone head. Or in this case, the MPs didn't even have to move.

Lakesrider · 07-07-2009, 07:52 PM

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 · 07-07-2009, 09:05 PM

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 · 07-07-2009, 09:15 PM

Originally posted by Lakesrider

Quote:

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

Quote:

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 · 07-18-2009, 08:50 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-20-2009, 04:56 AM

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 · 07-20-2009, 05:54 AM

Quote:

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 · 07-20-2009, 06:15 AM

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 · 07-20-2009, 08:19 AM

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 · 07-20-2009, 08:57 PM

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 · 07-20-2009, 09:57 PM

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 · 07-20-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

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 · 07-21-2009, 07:12 AM

Quote:

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 · 07-21-2009, 09:26 AM

Quote:

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...

07-04-2009, 08:57 PM	#1
lawn psycho Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: On the move... Posts: 987 Thanks: 113 Thanked 248 Times in 133 Posts	Mp the easiest way to play the game is to just back off the throttle anytime they are around and 2-3 minutes later they're gone. If you get stopped I would be overly nice so they don't have any reason. May not be the way you feel at the moment but if you are nice to the fuzz, your chances of them not writing you up go up dramatically. FWIW, in 7 years of boating I have never been stopped for any reason so maybe I've just been lucky.

07-06-2009, 04:13 AM	#2
trfour Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: The Lakes, Central NH. and Dallas/Fort Worth TX. Posts: 3,694 Blog Entries: 3 Thanks: 3,069 Thanked 472 Times in 236 Posts	Say What, When Your Butt Is In The Wind.... no paddles and or boat but plenty of cold water under you. Think about it folks. The Marine Patrol does a much better job than could be related to by some in this thread. Love them or not, they are here to do a job. No hitters in professional sports is one thing. Who among us has witnessed a cautious driver while in our daily commute to work! And we say to ourselves, please get this maniac off of our highways. Life lets us lose some, and also win some. As much that we all love winni. Let us let the Marine Patrol do their job, and let us do ours!! __________________ *trfour* Always Remember, The Best Safety Device In The Boat, or on a PWC Snowmobile etc., Is YOU! Safe sledding tips and much more; http://www.snowmobile.org/snowmobiling-safety.html

07-20-2009, 04:56 AM	#13
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,587 Thanks: 1,622 Thanked 1,639 Times in 843 Posts	Donzi 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?

07-20-2009, 06:15 AM	#15
VitaBene Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 3,587 Thanks: 1,622 Thanked 1,639 Times in 843 Posts	Makes sense 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.

07-20-2009, 08:57 PM	#17
travaler18 Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 31 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	a boys first ticket 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

07-07-2009, 10:40 AM	#5
osterber Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 7 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	I've only been stopped by MP once, about 10-12 years ago. We usually are on the lake one week every summer in Tuftonboro, and are fortunate to be at a place that has about 700 feet of empty waterfront on either side of the dock until the next dock. So we're fortunate to have easy access in and out of our dock area without other hazards. One day, while waterskiing, we dropped the skier a little too close to the dock, and were pulled over. Got away with just a warning fortunately, after a safety check. For our own safety, ever since then, we just don't waterski if there is a MP boat in the area. We're quite safe, but just don't take the chance. -Rick

07-07-2009, 01:53 PM	#6
Ross_t Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Nashua, NH Posts: 26 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts	I'm a bit paranoid when I see a MP boat in the area as well. I always (try to) abide by boating laws and regulations, but still feel uneasy when they're in the area. On the other hand, I always wish one was around when some idiot almost swamps my boat by going full speed 20 feet away from me!

07-07-2009, 07:17 PM	#8
Rattlesnake Guy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 1,254 Thanks: 423 Thanked 366 Times in 175 Posts	Sunday night we were at the Weirs and saw a boater approach a stationary MP at about 15mph. The MP was not in a trap location. The passage was going to be about 30 feet. We all said, "he is dead". Sure enough, the blue lights came on. Sometimes they do get the bone head. Or in this case, the MPs didn't even have to move.

07-07-2009, 07:52 PM	#9
Lakesrider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 2,129 Thanks: 380 Thanked 1,016 Times in 345 Posts	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.......

07-07-2009, 09:05 PM	#10
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	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.

07-20-2009, 08:19 AM	#16
John E Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 59 Thanks: 2 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	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.

07-20-2009, 09:57 PM	#18
upthesaukee Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Alton Bay Posts: 5,598 Blog Entries: 2 Thanks: 2,457 Thanked 1,980 Times in 1,081 Posts	This past Saturday in Alton Bay 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. __________________ I Live Here... I am always UPTHESAUKEE !!!!