|
|
06-06-2016, 10:51 PM
|
#1
|
TF Site Team
City: California Delta
Vessel Name: FlyWright
Vessel Model: 1977 Marshall Californian 34 LRC
Join Date: Apr 2008
Posts: 13,728
|
Props to USCG Vallejo
I'm privileged to have a slip that backs to USCG Station Vallejo. These folks are the ultimate in professionalism. Tonight I watched proudly as they assembled at the boats, suited up for battle in military fashion. (OK, they didn't exactly march out to the boats in coordinated step, but their presence was felt!) They all had their game face on. I figured they were heading out for a realistic simulation. They were impressive to watch as they each completed their duties in steely-eyed, near-silent confidence.
They make me proud to be an American!
Thanks for your service, USCG Station Vallejo!
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 11:09 AM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
City: CA
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 177
|
Curious why there is USCG on Lake Tahoe? Two states maybe? I have had my 20 foot bow rider on Tahoe three times. Each time I launch I get inspected by the USCG.
Twice I was inspected prior to launch and then when on the water. The kids with side arms and a 30 caliber machine gun do not impress me. Why do the inland, land locked waters of Lake Tahoe require machine guns.
My wife and our guests are all in our sixties, clean cut and my boat is a newer inboard run about. It has 4 foot wide USN Submarine Tridents on the port and starboard side of the boat!
I wrote the base commander asking about this practice and never received a response.
The inspections take about 15 minutes each. I did not care for the one Sailor (kid) personing the .30 cal while my boat was being torn apart.
PS - I am pro LEO, pro USN, my kid is a PO1, and pro gun.
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 11:22 AM
|
#3
|
Master and Commander
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
|
They carry a wide range of firearms even on their smaller boats: handguns, assault rifles, shotguns, and machine guns.
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 11:46 AM
|
#4
|
Guru
City: Tri Cities, WA
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,406
|
Big Jim, I'm not sure what their mission is on an inland lake, most likely the same as on open, coastal waters.
As to the firearms, would you rather they go out and do their job in uniform but unarmed?
__________________
Mike and Tina
1981 Boston Whaler 13'
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 01:32 PM
|
#5
|
Guru
City: Full Time Cruising East Coast
Vessel Name: Meridian
Vessel Model: Krogen-42
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 1,014
|
A side arm is one thing, 30 cal another.
Sent from my iPhone using Trawler Forum
__________________
-------------------------
Terry
Meridian
KK-42097
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 03:12 PM
|
#6
|
Guru
City: Tri Cities, WA
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,406
|
If I had to go up against some of the well armed drug smugglers and human traffickers like the USCG does, why would I want to be armed with anything less than they are?
I suspect some of you forget that their mission involves much more than inspecting boats full of fun loving families. That's probably the least dangerous part of their job.
In today's climate of anti- everything, I would not want their job. More (fire)power to them.
__________________
Mike and Tina
1981 Boston Whaler 13'
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 03:54 PM
|
#7
|
Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
|
I can remember the cowboy days in Miami when the biggest fear in ramping up Law Enforcement was a shoulder fired grenade/rocket at a loner small boat or helo that had no defense against that kind of firepower....or almost anything larger than a handgun.
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 04:54 PM
|
#8
|
Guru
City: DC
Vessel Name: Carolena II
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 32/34
Join Date: Aug 2012
Posts: 635
|
BigJim - The have .50 cals on the bows in our neck of the woods. If you are tired of random inspections, I suggest getting a courtesy inspection and accompanying sticker. Although not guaranteed to get you out of an impromptu inspection, they do help. At least that is our experience.
FlyWright - great pics!
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 05:20 PM
|
#9
|
Master and Commander
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
|
I"m completely over-classed as far as firepower goes. Can make noise and smoke, but that's all.
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 05:34 PM
|
#10
|
Guru
City: Hotel, CA
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 8,323
|
Next time we meet I'll deliver a box of 10 gauge 00
__________________
Craig
It's easier to fool people than to convince them that they've been fooled - Mark Twain
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 05:42 PM
|
#11
|
Master and Commander
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
|
OK CP. You hold/aim the cannon and I'll pull the rope to fire.
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 06:16 PM
|
#12
|
Guru
City: Vallejo, California
Vessel Name: Mahalo Moi
Vessel Model: 1986 Grand Banks 42 Classic
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,093
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by GFC
If I had to go up against some of the well armed drug smugglers and human traffickers like the USCG does, why would I want to be armed with anything less than they are?
I suspect some of you forget that their mission involves much more than inspecting boats full of fun loving families. That's probably the least dangerous part of their job.
In today's climate of anti- everything, I would not want their job. More (fire)power to them.
|
^ This! GFC, exactly what I was going to say. A handgun shooting .40 S&W doesn't exactly match the bad guys with automatic firearms. Good on ya', Flywright.
__________________
Ray
"Mahalo Moi"
1986 GB-42 Classic
ΜΟΛΩΝ ΛΑβΕ
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 07:13 PM
|
#13
|
Senior Member
City: Clear Lake Shores,Tx
Vessel Name: In Disguise
Vessel Model: 1985 Mainship 40 DC
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 483
|
Big Jim: The station on Lake Tahoe has been there for years...It's only occupied during the summer months obviously, but, it was originally started to help out Parks and Rec/Fish and Game in safety enforcement. As with everything else in this day and age, I'm sure their mission has changed somewhat. I served in the USCG from 1977-1981 and tried to get tad there........didn't work, lol.
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 07:38 PM
|
#14
|
Master and Commander
City: Vallejo CA
Vessel Name: Carquinez Coot
Vessel Model: penultimate Seahorse Marine Coot hull #6
Join Date: Sep 2010
Posts: 12,559
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by Giggitoni
^ This! GFC, exactly what I was going to say. A handgun shooting .40 S&W doesn't exactly match the bad guys with automatic firearms. Good on ya', Flywright.
|
I'd prefer a 45 ACP, which I don't have.
__________________
Kar-KEEN-ez Koot
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 08:15 PM
|
#15
|
Guru
City: Gig Harbor
Vessel Name: Kinship
Vessel Model: North Pacific 43
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 9,046
|
I am just guessing here, but I imagine the USCG has SOPs that dictate how there small boats and crews are armed depending on the mission. Doesn't matter if they are on salt or fresh water, the Canadian border or our Southern border. I assume that for specific enforcement action, they have another set of standard armaments they use.
I would not want a sailor to have a different kit depending on where they are posted. I want them trained with what they are issued and using so they wherever they are posted, they will be proficient and professional.
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 08:25 PM
|
#16
|
Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
|
Years ago after the initial big drug enforcement push of the 70/80s, a lot of well trained, aggressive boarding officers and commanding offices were transferred out of Caribbean units to Northern units where the population was quite astonished at the "new, aggressive" USCG.
It took a few years to change policy to get the right amount of firepower carried for the typical boating population.
After 9/11 and terrorism possible anywhere...the new Homeland Security mission might dictate 50 caliber machine guns in grade schools.....
While I usually find USCG policy out of line for so many things.....I am no longer wearing the hat so I have to accept what the policy on heavy weapons might be.
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 09:11 PM
|
#17
|
Guru
City: Stuart FL
Vessel Name: Lucky Lucky
Vessel Model: Pacific Mariner 65
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 2,759
|
And don't forget that some of those drug smuggling tunnels dug in Mexico could well come up under Lake Tahoe. Be careful out there.
__________________
Howard
Lucky Lucky
Stuart, FL
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 09:17 PM
|
#18
|
Guru
City: Seattle
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,142
|
BigJim-not to be too cynical, but you have to realize that all federal LE (and large parts of state LE), is "All Terrorism, All the Time", many other LE functions have gone by the wayside.
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 09:56 PM
|
#19
|
Senior Member
City: Union, WA
Vessel Name: Touch of Grey
Vessel Model: Nordic Tug 42
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 115
|
The simple answer is that the Coast Guard of the 60s and 70s (and earlier) were part of the Dept of Transportation. With their move to Homeland Security, safety at sea is not their main function.
And the next time you get boarded, ask to look at the bow gun. I believe they are 7.62 mm, not 50 cal.
Just be polite, be prepared and there will be no problem.
|
|
|
06-07-2016, 11:33 PM
|
#20
|
Guru
City: North Vancouver
Vessel Name: Phoenix Hunter
Vessel Model: Kadey Krogen 42 (1985)
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,869
|
1978 and fresh out of fisheries school, I was an observer on a research charter gillnetter, fishing nights off San Juan and Lopez Island. We were routinely visited nightly by the USCG. 5 visits one night! You'd think they'd talk to one another!
Jim
Sent from my iPad using Trawler Forum
|
|
|
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Trawler Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|