Questions for the Coast Guard!

[copper95b]

Hello Detroit area fisherman!

Alot of you know that I am in the Coast Guard here at Belle Isle and send me private messages and that is awsome. I would just like to start a thread on here where as questions come in they are on here for all to see. Educating the public is what we are here for. I know there are a lot of salty dogs on here that have been fishing this area for a billion years and you could teach and offer advise too. For the people who are new to boating or this area feel free to ask anything in requards to safety equipment requirements for your vessel, area familiarization, or if you seen us out and about on a case and wonder what happened, feel free to ask. Also you guys are out there alot and if you see something that just does not seem right let us know. Hopefully we can get this to be a sticky for the summer. Also you can reach us 24/7 at 313-331-3110 and/or CH 16!

Thanks,
Jeremy D.
CG Sta Belle Isle

[salmonslammer]

Thanks Jeremy!!!!

Very valuable resource to have on board :)

[doublell]

Great idea and thanks to you and all your mates for your service.

[Shoeman]

I'll bring it up to the boss

Sounds like a great idea for our boating forum

Thanks

[AL D.]

Copper, here is one to get it started....where is the "no wake" zone on the Detroit river between the ren cen and the head of belle isle? I am talking the US side. Thanks, Al

[copper95b]

The "No Wake" is from the McArthur Bridge east to the east tip of Belle Isle. I know there are no signs other that at a few of the marina entrances. From what I understand it is a city ordinance. Also dont forget about the Scotts Middle Ground "shoal" just east of the McArthur bridge. We've already had a few rec boats run aground there this year!

[MonsterShanty04]

What a great idea! Thanks for stepping up and answering the questions. It wasn't until you posted the phone number to the coast guard that I even thought of putting it in my cell phone. Good stuff, thanks.

[huntingmaniac45]

Great idea Jeremy, your insight on this site is very much appreciated.

[Johnny G]

stay in the channel at the scotts!!!! even if you dont run ground, lots of high weeds especially in the summer. dont wanna clog any water intake = bad news!

[Hotwired]

So this is incorrect?

(b) It shall be unlawful for the operator of a vessel to exceed a slow—no wake speed on that part of the Detroit River between the mainland shore and the north shore of Belle Isle, commencing from the St. Aubin marina to a line from the most eastern point of Belle Isle to Conners Creek extended.

St. Aubin Marina is actually Tri-Centennial State Park and Harbor.

http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-10366_37141_37701-38823--,00.html

[Johnny G]

it is unlawful, but it is rarely enforced. detroit police used to patrol that area on the water, the last time i saw them out there was years ago.

[KI Jim]

Jeremy,

Great to have you as a resource. My nephew from Toledo just finished with CG basic at Cape May and is currently at tech school in Virginia. I talked with him last night and he is really enjoying it. He is in the reserves, but he wants to make it full time. You guys do a GREAT job!

One question for you. Does a open 14 foot boat with a outboad engine (normal portable fuel tank) require a fire extinguisher?

Jim

[copper95b]

There may be a "no wake" zone there but we only tell people "no wake" from the Belle Isle bridge to the east tip of Belle Isle. Reason for that being the possible damage created by the wake to the boats moored in the marinas on the backside of Belle Isle.

Answer to the next question is as long as your fuel tank is portable and you are not required to have a fire extinguisher.

[AL D.]

it is unlawful, but it is rarely enforced. detroit police used to patrol that area on the water, the last time i saw them out there was years ago.
Seen the police boat on that stretch of the river last night(7-13-07). All the boats we seen were putting through that area so maybe they are starting to enforce it now. Al

[Johnny G]

good thing they are there. big cruisers whip through there all the time this time of year and cause all kinds of problems.

[Jethro]

Thanks Copper-
Nice post:)
We towed a Rec. boat that ran out of fuel under the ambassador in the shipping channel:yikes: ...could'nt think of a worse place to be.
Met a CG crew while underway to Bellanger park.
...alway nice to see you guys out there, especially while layout hunting in december and your chopper does a nice low fly by to check up.

[cshire]

I've got this map printed, laminated and in the boat with the charts, etc.

http://www.waynecounty.com/sheriff/wakes.htm

[Double_Down]

I got ticketed just up from the Belle Is. bridge on Memorial Day. I was pulled over at about 12:30 pm heading in with a limit of walleye for throwing a wake in an unmarked zone. Funny thing is it they DNR CO's. They were nice enough, but couldn't tell me how much the ticket would cost or if it would effect my street driving record (points?) They did however, schedule me for a court date on the spot!

When asked about a 'No Wake' sign, the CO said "there used to be one here".

When they finished with me they pulled over several other boats and had them wait while they pulled over others. At one point they had five boats just sitting waiting for their tickets.

I figured that they were just out cause it was a holiday and won't be there again until the fouth of July.

[Natlight]

I've got this map printed, laminated and in the boat with the charts, etc.

http://www.waynecounty.com/sheriff/wakes.htm

Cool. Thanks for the link.:)

[Ferg]

Hello Detroit area fisherman!

Alot of you know that I am in the Coast Guard here at Belle Isle and send me private messages and that is awsome. I would just like to start a thread on here where as questions come in they are on here for all to see. Educating the public is what we are here for. I know there are a lot of salty dogs on here that have been fishing this area for a billion years and you could teach and offer advise too. For the people who are new to boating or this area feel free to ask anything in requards to safety equipment requirements for your vessel, area familiarization, or if you seen us out and about on a case and wonder what happened, feel free to ask. Also you guys are out there alot and if you see something that just does not seem right let us know. Hopefully we can get this to be a sticky for the summer. Also you can reach us 24/7 at 313-331-3110 and/or CH 16!

Thanks,
Jeremy D.
CG Sta Belle Isle

Jeremy -

Have you discussed this with your OIC? Your group commander? District9 PAO?

You need to exercises extreme caution here - and everyone on this thread needs to know, that Jeremy is offering 'HIS OWN ADVISE AND OPINION' and is NOT SPEAKING FOR THE CG, nor with their authorization.

The CG assumes no responsibility nor do they assume any liability for any opinion or advice provided in this thread or future threads.

I appreciate your zeal - and love the idea - and would be willing to help - but it has to made very clear - that there is no 'offical' Coast Guard advice being offered and the CG can not be held liable for any advice or opinion offered here.

ferg....
uscg(ret)

[copper95b]

Jeremy -

Have you discussed this with your OIC? Your group commander? District9 PAO?

You need to exercises extreme caution here - and everyone on this thread needs to know, that Jeremy is offering 'HIS OWN ADVISE AND OPINION' and is NOT SPEAKING FOR THE CG, nor with their authorization.

The CG assumes no responsibility nor do they assume any liability for any opinion or advice provided in this thread or future threads.

I appreciate your zeal - and love the idea - and would be willing to help - but it has to made very clear - that there is no 'offical' Coast Guard advice being offered and the CG can not be held liable for any advice or opinion offered here.

ferg....
uscg(ret)

I want to thank ferg for also taking intrest and second exactly what he said. Were not here to speak on behalf of the Coast Guard but as members of this site who could maybe post a link or a source so that you can make your own conclusion.

Heres an example. In reply to the post above many of you may already have this in your favorites but here is the list of the NOAA online nautical chart viewer.

http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/OnLineViewer/GreatLakesViewerTable.htm

[huntingfool43]

Answer to the next question is as long as your fuel tank is portable and you are not required to have a fire extinguisher.

Copper95b

It's great you are here to help people out. But did they change the rule for needing a fire ext. on board? I know in Calhoun and Barry, Allagan counties the stipulation (fron a DNR Marine officer) is if you have a double floor, enclosed compartments, basicly anywhere fumes can collect then an extinguisher is required. It has nothing to do with length of the boat or type of fuel tank on board.A freind was let off with a worning several years ago because his boat was brand new and the marina had not installed one but said to make sure not to get caught again. Did the officers I have been checked by over step their bounds or are the correct?

[ggoblue]

Hello Detroit area fisherman!

Alot of you know that I am in the Coast Guard here at Belle Isle and send me private messages and that is awsome. I would just like to start a thread on here where as questions come in they are on here for all to see. Educating the public is what we are here for. I know there are a lot of salty dogs on here that have been fishing this area for a billion years and you could teach and offer advise too. For the people who are new to boating or this area feel free to ask anything in requards to safety equipment requirements for your vessel, area familiarization, or if you seen us out and about on a case and wonder what happened, feel free to ask. Also you guys are out there alot and if you see something that just does not seem right let us know. Hopefully we can get this to be a sticky for the summer. Also you can reach us 24/7 at 313-331-3110 and/or CH 16!

Thanks,
Jeremy D.
CG Sta Belle Isle
go ahead and print the q's i asked you in the pm...

[copper95b]

Copper95b

It's great you are here to help people out. But did they change the rule for needing a fire ext. on board? I know in Calhoun and Barry, Allagan counties the stipulation (fron a DNR Marine officer) is if you have a double floor, enclosed compartments, basicly anywhere fumes can collect then an extinguisher is required. It has nothing to do with length of the boat or type of fuel tank on board.A freind was let off with a worning several years ago because his boat was brand new and the marina had not installed one but said to make sure not to get caught again. Did the officers I have been checked by over step their bounds or are the correct?

Here is a site that might answer your question. This is a Coast Guard Auxillary site that states the items they check.

http://www.safetyseal.net/what_is_vsc.asp

[copper95b]

Just to let everyone know I was offered the Moderator spot for this link but I am going to have to decline the opportunity. Reason being is it was broght to my attention, even though I am just trying to spread the word of education, if I make an error one day on here someone could try and say "But the Coast Guard said this, or that" possibly sue the CG and then my tail would more than likely get cut off. And I have two other mouths to feed and love doing what I do on the water so I am going to have to error on the side of caution on this one guys. Thanks for your interest on here it was awsome. If you see me or one of my shipmates underway dont hesitate to talk to us and ask us questions, but this site might not be the best stage. Thanks again guys and I will enjoy talking fishing back in the Detroit River forum.

[DANIEL MARK ZAPOLSKI]

yes , i know exactly the position it would put you in. i would hate it very much for a fellow brother in arms to get something put on his record or in his 201 file for doing something he thought was (and is right) the right thing to do or worse yet a general courts martial. but in this day and age with all the he said, blame game, and attorneys suing you may (family included)and probably would be ruined.
take care and thank you for keeping my freedoms free! 95BRAVO/CHARLIE 1972-74

[copper95b]

yes , i know exactly the position it would put you in. i would hate it very much for a fellow brother in arms to get something put on his record or in his 201 file for doing something he thought was (and is right) the right thing to do or worse yet a general courts martial. but in this day and age with all the he said, blame game, and attorneys suing you may (family included)and probably would be ruined.
take care and thank you for keeping my freedoms free! 95BRAVO/CHARLIE 1972-74

Thanks for understanding! I myself was a 95b for just over five years! 977th MP Co. and 39th MP Detachment.

[Scott L]

Are Coast Guard personnel considered Law Enforcement Officers?

Yes.

However, what if he sees me speeding in the parking lot at the boat launch can he issue me a ticket for that?

No.

Upon returning to the boat launch last weekend, I was boarded by the CG. Just a safety check. Very professional job. No problems. Thank You.

Your welcome.



I would question why when performing these type of checks at a poorly lighted, crowded, public dock the CG would present themselves in the black (I think) fatigues. Scared the crap out of the wife. She demanded to see ID from the individual. Do they not have a more "official" uniform for these types of duty/jobs? Something that would identify them better. If a LEO walks up to you on at the same crowded poorly lighted dock you instantly know who is addressing you.

Interesting question, normally left up to the local command, that is, as to the 'uniform of the day' - however, with that said, the CG 'ODU' uniform or as commonly refered to as the 'Operational Dress Uniform' has been authorized by the Comdt of the CG for all operations that do not required the full dress uniform.

They should have also been wearing their standard uniform ball cap with USCG or authorized Unit special ball cap with the name of their unit displayed. In additon name tags with U.S. Coast Guard displayed along with coller pins indicating their current rank as show below (less the ball cap):

http://www.uscg.mil/reservist/mag2003/OCT%2003/ART/ODU01.jpg

I hope this helps -

ferg....

[Ferg]

You know after all these years, you would have thought I could have done that post without chopping up your post - sorry about that - I clicked the edit button instead of the reply button, but I hope you get the idea.

ferg....