USCG Kind of Day

[Larry M]

.... You do not want USCG the local cops with a drug dog to declare your boat a drug b oat and seize it.

That’s why we didn’t even keep a claw.

 

[Wayfarer]

Apparently I am naive - "square grouper" is a phrase so old it's quaint, but I had never heard the term "white lobster" before. Larry, I have so much to learn from you!

I'd never heard of either phrase, and am absolutely delighted with both.

 

[kolohe9]

It's good to hear a story of boaters interacting with USCG in a positive and respectful manner. (Not to mention a great experience!) In spite of the big black "Boondockers, (boots) they will always be welcome aboard my boat any time.

 

[stubones99]

I think I would have asked for a "get out of jail free card" from the USCG...

Years ago, we were vacationing at a time-share on GBI, scuba diving offshore and I spotted some money partially stuck in the bottom. I swished the sand off it and found a plastic bag and more money. Then we found a few packs of wrapped cocaine, which we tossed up on the jetty. We walked to the resort and told the receptionist to call the cops.
When they arrived, we took them out to the jetty and showed what we found, and where we found it. I failed to mention the money... They hauled off the cocaine and had divers combing the area for more...
The irony was when I got back to work on my return, there was a "random drug screening" order in my inbox. I wonder if random means anyone coming back from the Bahamas... Wasn't a problem for me, since I don't do drugs, regardless.

 

[Bigsfish]

Damn Larry, I always thought you were smart. LOL

 

[Soul Mate]

Hey Larry and Lena,
I did not expect to hear from you guys on this form, particularly with this story. Judy and I have been in Stuart ,Fl and vicinity since we left Ortega Landing. We are still on Soul Mates and still loving it. The drug story was interesting, but I am more interested in talking to you about the Bahamas. I will give you a call.

 

[HypnoBob]

As a previously enlisted coastie, I applaud you for your actions.
Bob

 

[Jmarsh203]

$1,000,000 Is a very very very high estimate, defiantly not worth that anywhere near the south, could maybe come close to 800,000 up in the norther states. , rough guesstimate should be worth around 400,000 In Florida or the south in general. Used to do anti drug ops in South America so know a little about all that stuff. It’s pretty regular for them to hop up the numbers And base the numbers off the most expensive numbers in a country or even the world sometimes, all just to make them look better.

 

[AlaskaProf]

Greetings,
Dolphin? Aw...poor Flipper...

So long, and thanks for all the fish.

 

[stow it]

A valid concern and I agree but the bale had been in the water for a few days if not longer. The easy thing to do was pull it up on the swim platform and continue north, which we did.

When you were with the DEA didn't you sometimes float those packages with a beacon inside to see who would pick it up?

I've also 'heard' that you are jeopardizing you and your boat with the police, CG, DEA, etc by bringing that package aboard. If any powder gets on the boat it becomes a reason to impound the boat?

 

[Bigsfish]

Jmarsh. I probably don’t have your experience but living in south Florida for over 70 years I have seen plenty of drugs, drugs dealers and users but without an exact weight and purity of the contents it’s hard to put an
accurate value on Larry’s find.

 

[Larry M]

When you were with the DEA didn't you sometimes float those packages with a beacon inside to see who would pick it up?

I've also 'heard' that you are jeopardizing you and your boat with the police, CG, DEA, etc by bringing that package aboard. If any powder gets on the boat it becomes a reason to impound the boat?

I did land based stuff in my past.

All we did was grab the bale with a gaff and swing it onto the swim platform, secured it there and then called. I wasn’t concerned about the if’s other than keeping it off the streets.

 

[jleonard]

Best thing I ever found floating was a new blue fender. With a line attached. LOL

 

[Larry M]

Hey Larry and Lena,
I did not expect to hear from you guys on this form, particularly with this story. Judy and I have been in Stuart ,Fl and vicinity since we left Ortega Landing. We are still on Soul Mates and still loving it. The drug story was interesting, but I am more interested in talking to you about the Bahamas. I will give you a call.

Please do. It will be good to get caught up. We’ll be back in OLM this weekend.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. AP. EXACTLY! I wondered if I would get an enlightened acknowledgement. Thanks and don't forget your towel...

 

[alesnloggers]

Greetings,
Mr. AP. EXACTLY! I wondered if I would get an enlightened acknowledgement. Thanks and don't forget your towel...

Nice Hitchhiker's reference. ??

 

[rgano]

I'd have marked its position to the USCG and moved on. No way I'd bring that crap aboard. With my luck it would spring a "leak" and dust me in the face!

 

[Todd2]

I think I would have asked for a "get out of jail free card" from the USCG...

..............................
The irony was when I got back to work on my return, there was a "random drug screening" order in my inbox. I wonder if random means anyone coming back from the Bahamas... Wasn't a problem for me, since I don't do drugs, regardless.

LOL My employment requires random drug testing mandated by our government for the past 30+ years. I once went to Jamaica for a destination wedding and was 'randomly' drug tested the Monday morning of my return. I didn't really think anything about it, at the time. For the next vacation I went to a beach in Mexico and was 'randomly' drug tested again the Monday I returned. This time I was suspicious. Well, repeat the same scenario another half dozen times. The pattern was obvious.

Now the funny part: The joke around the office was that I never did illegal drugs while on vacation, I'd wait until Monday evening the day after I got back (and was already drug tested that day) - the safest day of the year! LOL (That's just a joke, boss.)

Later, I got a new boss, and my "random' drug testing abruptly stopped, and returned to the previous "normal" drug testing schedule (and yes, I am still employed at the same business).

Todd

 

[BandB]

LOL My employment requires random drug testing mandated by our government for the past 30+ years. I once went to Jamaica for a destination wedding and was 'randomly' drug tested the Monday morning of my return. I didn't really think anything about it, at the time. For the next vacation I went to a beach in Mexico and was 'randomly' drug tested again the Monday I returned. This time I was suspicious. Well, repeat the same scenario another half dozen times. The pattern was obvious.

Now the funny part: The joke around the office was that I never did illegal drugs while on vacation, I'd wait until Monday evening the day after I got back (and was already drug tested that day) - the safest day of the year! LOL (That's just a joke, boss.)

Later, I got a new boss, and my "random' drug testing abruptly stopped, and returned to the previous "normal" drug testing schedule (and yes, I am still employed at the same business).

Todd

And your company was far from the only one doing that. I've heard more stories, especially years ago from companies my employer acquired.

What's amazing to me is how many companies are so vigilant in drug testing but do nothing about abuse of the most abused drug there is.

 

[RT Firefly]

Greetings,
Mr. BB. "... do nothing about abuse of the most abused drug there is." C'mon. You're smarter than that. There's BIG $$ in the alcohol industry and also BIG $$ in the prison industry.

 

[Blissboat]

That RT Firefly - now there is a hoopy frood who really knows where his towel is.

 

[slowgoesit]

My brother worked for 35 years in the construction business. When it came time for some "random drug tests", he was one of their "go to guys" because they knew he didn't use drugs. He says if they had ever tested 100% of their crew on a few jobs, they would have lost 80% of their work force!
In the Army, we often had 100% unannounced drug tests. Generally 2 to 3 times a year minimum, plus every flight physical, and any time we had a mishap we had to go to the hospital to "pee and bleed". I didn't mind it, it was really was for OUR protection. That way, no one after the fact could ever say we were under the influence when we bent the aircraft! And if (when) someone tested positive, they threw the book at them, as they should. If for no other reason than that I didn't want to fly with anyone who was so stupid that they thought they would get away with doing drugs!

 

[NashBrent]

Square Gouper

Did those few seconds of discussion include something like:
"How much is this stuff worth?"

and "How big a boat could we purchase with that?"

and "How many YEARS would that cost us?!?"


Good job all around, but here's hoping the next 50 pounder will be something that you can KEEP!

That's is exactly the questions that I asked my crew when we pulled in a 50 kilo (110 lbs) Square Grouper in the Keys in 2010. Decided keeping the years was a better option.

 

[OldDan1943]

That's is exactly the questions that I asked my crew when we pulled in a 50 kilo (110 lbs) Square Grouper in the Keys in 2010. Decided keeping the years was a better option.

I think I would radio the USCG for further instruction. They may ask for your lat/long and to remain on the scene until they get there.

 

[Mako]

That RT Firefly - now there is a hoopy frood who really knows where his towel is.

Great author. Died on his treadmill while trying to get healthy

 

[Larry M]

That's is exactly the questions that I asked my crew when we pulled in a 50 kilo (110 lbs) Square Grouper in the Keys in 2010. Decided keeping the years was a better option.

 

[Mako]

You’re lucky as it sounds like everything went smoothly with your encounter and interactions with the CG.

You also could have just slashed the bale and let the sea absorb it.

I would hope that if this ever happened again, but with guests aboard instead of just you and your wife, that you would seek unanimous consent by all before deciding how to proceed.

 

[OldDan1943]

I want nothing to do with drugs or drug money.
Even at my advanced age, I am still too pretty to go to prison.

 

[OldDan1943]

I would hope that if this ever happened again, but with guests aboard instead of just you and your wife, that you would seek unanimous consent by all before deciding how to proceed.

HA HA If you are the captain, your vote is THE only vote necessary. No discussion. Your guests dont care if your boat is seized.

 

[psneeld]

People may give opinions in my house or boat...there's no voting on operations.

Everyone may handle this situation a bit different.... I probably would have done the same as Larry....thinking through the process and ramifications.