I was boarded yesterday

[Bud]

Yesterday I launched "Splash" by Potter 14. It was the first launch after I discovered a six-inch plywood separation. The good news is the boat did not leak.
I normally carry two life preserves on the boat. A coastal inflatable, and a jacket type that was in the boat when I acquired it. The inflatable was on the P19.
The weather was very nice, almost no wind and the river was smooth. I had the life preserver in the cockpit on a bench.
I sail on this river almost every week and until yesterday I always had a life preserver on. There is a Coast Guard station in Rio Vista, so I see the Coast Guard just about every time I sail. I think because I didn't have a life preserver on they stopped me. I made room for them to come aboard, but they choose not to. The only thing I didn't have that they asked for was a horn. I did have one, but it quit working and I didn't replace it. The Coastie said they would give me a whistle. When they finished the paperwork I received a copy and they released the boat. The wind had completely died so I was motoring. I looked up and here comes the Coast Guard towards me at a high rate of speed. I thought to myself I must be in trouble. They came alongside and without stopping threw me a whistle.
When I was sailing the coast I always had the boat inspected before the sail. I always had a current sticker on the mast. I think that and I almost never saw a Coast Guard boat was the reason I had never been boarded.

[Phil]

Wow!  It's great to hear a happy story involving the Coast Guard.  At least you weren't in distress and didn't get a fine for missing equipment.  And it's good to know that they're out there watching.

Thanks for sharing that with us!!

Fair winds!

[Brian N.]

My dad served in the CG during WWII and had several harrowing stories, which always reminds me about the under-rated importance of the CG during war and "peace" time. I was boarded only once when I first got the boat (2008) and that was at the dock just before I pushed off. Very professional. I also find the local town Bay Constables very helpful. Two weeks ago as I was motoring out, the Bay Constable came alongside and warned me that it was too rough for safe sailing. Glad I listened.