Times have changed!!

Old Hubbard Rd · 07-28-2007, 11:45 AM

Last PM was the 1st time I have been pulled over on the lake. I was VERY disappointed with the Marine Patrol. 2 real young Marine Patrol guys could not have been older that 21. I own a pontoon boat. We had been docked at the Weirs for the Friday PM fireworks. When leaving the Weirs I had my docking lights on by mistake. I had 11 passengers aged from 2 to 50 something. We had no alcohol on board and were completely sobber. All the kids had life jackets on. It was getting late. The Marine Patrol put's their blue lights on and ALL their spot lights and come chasing us. They pull up close and starting assessing the passengers. They asked if I knew why they were pulling me over and I said yes that I had my docking lights on as when I saw the blue lights I quickly assessed why they were coming after me. They said yes that was the reason. At that point seeing that I had 6 children under the ages of 14 and being late at night one would think that the Marine Patrol would say have a nice night and be careful and send us on our way. NOT!! They started with the license and registration bull$#@&. I got pretty pissed at that point. I told them that this harrasement was wrong. They started with all the test questions. I had to go thru all the life jackets, fire extinguisers, throw cushing, boater certification license. I was visibly angry at this point. They took my licenses and registration and pulled away for about 10 more minutes and then returned saying this was just a warning and drove off. Although the kids appeared ok with all that we went through I thought it was way over board. Boy have times changes!! Back in the old days I would think someone would have realized they had pulled over a nice family that had no alcohol and a bunch of little kids on board and that they just would have sent us on our way.

07-28-2007, 11:45 AM	#1
Old Hubbard Rd Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Posts: 462 Thanks: 141 Thanked 54 Times in 33 Posts	Times have changed!! Last PM was the 1st time I have been pulled over on the lake. I was VERY disappointed with the Marine Patrol. 2 real young Marine Patrol guys could not have been older that 21. I own a pontoon boat. We had been docked at the Weirs for the Friday PM fireworks. When leaving the Weirs I had my docking lights on by mistake. I had 11 passengers aged from 2 to 50 something. We had no alcohol on board and were completely sobber. All the kids had life jackets on. It was getting late. The Marine Patrol put's their blue lights on and ALL their spot lights and come chasing us. They pull up close and starting assessing the passengers. They asked if I knew why they were pulling me over and I said yes that I had my docking lights on as when I saw the blue lights I quickly assessed why they were coming after me. They said yes that was the reason. At that point seeing that I had 6 children under the ages of 14 and being late at night one would think that the Marine Patrol would say have a nice night and be careful and send us on our way. NOT!! They started with the license and registration bull$#@&. I got pretty pissed at that point. I told them that this harrasement was wrong. They started with all the test questions. I had to go thru all the life jackets, fire extinguisers, throw cushing, boater certification license. I was visibly angry at this point. They took my licenses and registration and pulled away for about 10 more minutes and then returned saying this was just a warning and drove off. Although the kids appeared ok with all that we went through I thought it was way over board. Boy have times changes!! Back in the old days I would think someone would have realized they had pulled over a nice family that had no alcohol and a bunch of little kids on board and that they just would have sent us on our way.