boarded by the Coast Guard

[Big-G]

Originally Posted by Hal380

Saturday 7/6 went fishing in New Haven harbor. Was just drifting outside the channel, when all of a sudden - in the distance we could see a boat comming at us at a high rate of speed. As he got closer I could see it was a CG vessel. He came along side and asked permission to board. When the two petty officers come aboard and asked to see my license and other required items, everything was going nicely. Then they asked about the fire extinguisher and I told them that it didn't work. They looked at me and I explained that this was the first day out on the water, and that I had a brand new extinguisher but forgot it at home. They gave me a warning and I have to send in evidence that I have one on board. These guys were very courtous and professional. However they drew the line when I asked them if I could fire the M60 they had at the bow of their boat. I assured them that I would only fire short bursts and in a safe direction, but they were unyielding.

Anyway it was a good day, but fish 1 Hal 0

Regards to all

Hal

Coast Guard folks are not so diligent about fire extinguishers when it comes to their actual use. I reported a malfunctioning fire ext. which had C. C. approved markings on it and was not encouraged that anything could be done by C. C. about it. When my extinguisher's locking mechanism broke during an engine fire a neighboring boat gave me theirs. Same model extinguisher and same results. Had to use a screw driver to engage the extinguisher. As a member of the C.C. Aux. I was not happy with the C.C.'s response which was to do nothing.