[Airwaves]

Mike M
This took me a while to understand as well.

1. Lake Winnipesaukee is NOT a federal waterway. Therefore Coast Guard rules and regulations do not apply.

2. While the Coast Guard can stop a vessel at any time for any reason especially now under Homeland Security Rules there are no Coast Guard vessels on Lake Winnipesaukee.

3. If you are stopped by a NH Marine Patrol boat ask them, nicely, why they are stopping you. If they say a "routine safety check" then I would (again nicely) question their authority to stop you for a "routine safety check" by contacting THEIR SUPERVISOR FIRST via Cell or VHF.

4. If you can not contact their supervisor then submit to the routine safety check, write down the officer's name(s), note the time, possition and exactly what happened in your log.

Did you know all boats are supposed to carry logs and record their voyages? Not many boaters keep a log on Lake Winnipesaukee but it certainly comes in handy in cases like this.

I believe in NH you can record the stop on video but NOT NOT NOT audio so turning on your cellphone video function is NOT a good idea!

Then question what happened with someone knowledgeable about these things....a lawyer you know casually, show them your log.

If you (everyone on Lake Winnipesaukee) don't keep a log on your boat I'd start today since next year the new law HB847 take effect and will impact your drivers license.

A properly maintained "ship's" log can be considered a legal document but something hit and miss won't be considered. Every time you leave the dock write it down and keep it on board. (notebook is fine) Departure date and time, weather, destination, I'd suggest listing POB but perhaps a number of POB is better than names in some cases?, arrival, departure, arrival if you get a cell call note the time (not necessarly from whom or why) and especially anything unusual.

Do it beginning today faithfully and until the day you sell the boat and even note the sale of the boat! Keep the log and your "ship's" log is a legal document. If you only do it now and again or only when you're stopped...it won't help at all.