Coast guard violation
 

Changed a pump in my boat. Went to put it in the water to test it. My wife and daughters were taking a ride and planned on staying in the truck. My wife backed me in the water and the kids started crying to get in the boat. I loaded them in, went about 50 yards from the dock(clear the way for others) and set power pole. I was fooling with the pump when the coast guard pulls up. They do an onboard check and give me a violation for pfd's on the kids. Boarding officer tells me that each violation(2 kids) is $1100.00. Anyone know if this is the correct amount?? Had friends get DWI's and other arrest for less than this. I am not complaining about the violation, I should have put the life jackets in my boat just in case. $2200 seems pretty high though.

OUCH!!!

I looked it up, most other states had a $$ amount for the fine, but louisiana just said "criminal"


Link
http://www.uscgboating.org/state_boating_laws.aspx

Then go to table 4.9

50$ ticket from state warden don't know bout coast gusrd

Thought it was $750 CG.... If u get that lady Judge...get ready to pay some $$$$$ and if your kids are under 6 years old....whhooooooo comunittity service

Holy toledo! $2200 seems criminal!

But remeber we are talking about the government, so it is definately criminal...

No shot I pay that even if that is the fine, can hire a lawyer for cheaper than that

What parish

That would make me sick :(
Hopefully you can work this out...

W, St.Tammany.

I will happily pay a fine. I was wrong, should never leave the dock without the kids in life vest. I have 2 kids and 6 life jackets. Just didn't bring them b/c I was literally putting the boat in the water for 5 minutes. $2200 just seems really harsh.

Ouch!

Good lawd!!! That will make you remember to grab them jackets!
Sorry to hear about your misfortune man, hope you can take care of it.

I know the judge that was doing the federal cases was a women... I had a buddy go in front of her for catching 28 lbs of shrimp in stead of 25lbs behind weirs....he had his little girl with him shrimping,,,, that was all good but judge said he was setting a bad example in front of his kids...this was his 1st violation ever (last speeding ticket was in 1995) ,,,it cost him $1200 plus other fines..about 2k

I was told a federal magistrate will contact me via mail within 14 days.

Are you referring to the Federal Magistrate in Calcasieu Parish? I would not want to get on her bad side, she may know people who view this site?

I would assume y'all are talking about Patricia Minaldi?

Sorry about your misfortune. I just finished taking the Boaters Education course "for fun!" It stated that anyone under the age of 16 is required by law to have a PDF on while the vessel in under way. If you were anchored with your power poles down. Then they are allowed to take them off and move around freely. There seems to be some grey area in reference to the ticket that you recieved.

Good luck!

you must of been at Mandeville harbor, I drove around there saturday and the cops were writing tickets like crazy, whole area is 25mph.

Sorry... PFD!

good point there Ooops, I'd take pics of life jackets and as well as having the state law and say you were anchored with the power pole and let that be your defense. I'm pretty sure CG won't be able to recall details of the stop or even show up to if it went to court. and if you lose, you would have to pay fine plus $40 court cost. its worth fighting it or letting it get dismissed before it goes to court.

When I was 18 I was in my 16ft flat with a 15 evinrude on the back.
Got pulled over in madisonville at the turn b4 friends restaurant...... For making a wake..... Cigarette boats were flying by me!!

Redicilous!!
They pulled my buddies over too about 30 min later same deal.

I had adult life vest in the boat but not children's.

Im not going to fight to get it dismissed. I should have not let them in the boat even if I were only going a little ways away. I will however tried to get it reduced to reasonable amount.

Have you learned your lesson?
That is the primary reason for a fine. To educate through financial penalty.

+1

I am fine with a penalty, but just wish it was not more than a friends in law paid for a felony drug and misdemeanor drug arrest.
You won't hear me bad mouth the coast guard or claim innocence. Just my opinion is that $2200 is a lot of money for this violation.

My point was, if you've learned the lesson, why have to pay a huge fine. I would take all the documentation I could with me and fight it. No since in paying when you've already learned the lesson.

+1

X2.

I agree. Just mainly pissed at myself bc I know better. I have already not let my brother bring his son fishing with us bc he didn't have a life vest. I mentioned i have 6 vests, thats in case other kids come. I take it very seriously. I wear one myself when riding alone. Not an excuse, but we were doing the furthest thing from riding.

I agree with you 100% blue, you have obviously learned your lesson, but to pay $2,200 for this is just plain absurd!!!!

If that is the fine, that sucks. But, when have you ever known a law enforcement agent to know the exact fine of every ticket they write. He may have been fishing for a kick back???? You may find out the ticket price is much less.