[Semper911]

They have a reputation of working over boaters.

Perhaps you are refering to the US Coast Guard's practice of asking selected boaters to heave to so that a safety check can be performed.

While stationed at a small boat station in a tourist area, I once pulled over a 15 foot open boat with three adults and 5 children on board. There were 3 floatation devices on board (seat cushion-type.) As the grandfather protested, I sent them back to the marina. I had just gotten a rescue call and couldn't escort them in.

After I towed in a fishing boat with an engine fire, I was returning to the station when I happened upon the family of 8 in the skiff. I promptly took the children on board my boat and towed Grandpa and his pals back to the marina.

I guess I really worked them over.

There are some hot dogs who take the law enforcement part of the job way too seriously. Same is true for any law enforcement agency. But Coast Guardsmen in general are about safety above all. We have gotten there too late too many times.

[sharkdiver]

I was in the U S Coast Guard for four years trained as a radioman. I also used to go to the local small boat station and became a small boat operator for search and rescue calls. I left the service and took the exam and became acharter boat Captain. I have seen both situations while serving on a boarding crew and having my charter boat boarded for a safety inspection. Coast Guard personnel are trained to be courteous and professional at all times. It always amazed me the sorry state that some individuals would go to sea in. vessels that were overloaded with passengers, having to few PFD's and mixing alcohol into the mix. Boaters in the United States can go to sea in total faith that the men and women of the USCG are always ready at a seconds notice to put to sea to save their lives.