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Typical. Go after those most likely to be law abiding because they are easy and least likely to cause problems.

Most of those young coasties wouldn't know what to do if they had to use those weapons. THAT is what makes me nervous. Soldiers are forced to patrol live fire zones like NOLA w/o mags but these guys roam around marinas and boats where there are LOTS of tripping hazards. Were their weapons loaded? This is a disaster waiting to happen.

My boat was once boarded by a USCG search party for a "Safety Inspection" while I was cruising along in Valdez, AK. The poor lad who had to climb from the inflatable into my boat had on a Sam Browne with a .45 auto, two spare mags, flashlight, handcuffs, radio, etc. and was wearing a PFD. He'd have still sunk pretty fast had he fallen in.

Yup, that's the scary part. The Coasties doing the boarding aren't trained as law enforcement, or even given special firearms training. My emphasis concerning 43north's post:

"Most of those young coasties wouldn't know what to do if they had to use those weapons. THAT is what makes me nervous. Soldiers are forced to patrol live fire zones like NOLA w/o mags but these guys roam around marinas and boats where there are LOTS of tripping hazards. Were their weapons loaded? This is a disaster waiting to happen."

Most of those young coasties wouldn't know what to do if they had to use those weapons. THAT is what makes me nervous. Soldiers are forced to patrol live fire zones like NOLA w/o mags but these guys roam around marinas and boats where there are LOTS of tripping hazards. Were their weapons loaded? This is a disaster waiting to happen. My boat was once boarded by a USCG search party for a "Safety Inspection" while I was cruising along in Valdez, AK. The poor lad who had to climb from the inflatable into my boat had on a Sam Browne with a .45 auto, two spare mags, flashlight, handcuffs, radio, etc. and was wearing a PFD. He'd have still sunk pretty fast had he fallen in. Posting HTML

You underestimate the professionalism of these young men. They are trained day in and day out. Even the most seasoned veteran can make a mistake. The gear is for protection and enforcement. The PFD is for the safety of both of you.

These men and women do work in order for you the boater to be safe and live through an emergency. If you spent some time with the organization you would understand. I bet your opinion would be a little different towards these sailors if you found your self in the water miles from land.

I know you would because I rescued my fair share of boaters who thought they knew everything right up until their nostrils were level with the water. As a former coastie I take offense to your remarks as well as others on this topic.