Law Enforcement
Australia Charges Two Over Yacht Cocaine Bust
Two men in Australia have been charged with importing a commercial quantity of cocaine as part of an investigation into 247 kilograms of cocaine seized from a yacht moored in Townsville. The men, both from Griffith in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) and aged 55 and 44, were arrested at their apartment on July 20, 2023, and brought up on charges by the Australian Federal Police (AFP). The maximum penalty for theier offences is life imprisonment.Police allege one of the men threw a backpack containing $290…
New US Law Requires Use of Engine Cut-off Switches
Operators of recreational vessels less than 26 feet in length will be required to use an engine cut-off switch (ECOS) and associated ECOS link (ECOSL) as of April 1, 2021, as the U.S. Coast Guard implements a law passed by Congress.The ECOS and ECOSL prevent runaway vessels and the threats they pose. The ECOSL attaches the vessel operator to a switch that shuts off the engine if the operator is displaced from the helm. The ECOSL is usually a lanyard-style cord that attaches to an ECOS either in close proximity to the helm or on the outboard motor itself if the vessel is operated by a tiller.
USCG Warns On Negligence At Sea
After terminating the voyage of a 30-foot pleasure vessel near Lake Lauderdale by the Sea, Florida, USA, the USCG has again warned of the hazards of recreational sailors being unaware of their surroundings and conditions and thereby posing a danger to themselves and others at sea. Following the incident, in which the boat’s owner was cited for operating a vessel under the influence and for gross negligent operations, USCG’s Sector Miami Command Center Watchstander, Petty Officer 1st Class Andrew Sanchez…
Honda Marine Announces iST Outboard Sale Date
Honda Marine has announced that the refreshed Honda Marine BF200, BF225, BF250 Intelligent Shift and Throttle (iST) electronically controlled outboard motors now are on sale at Honda Marine dealers nationwide. The mechanically controlled versions of these models have been available since early 2019.Targeting the heart of the boating market, the refreshed Honda BF200, BF225 and BF250 models mark the newest evolution in the company’s product line, integrating innovative design, a sleek new Progressive V Form style…
CG Rescues Five South of Key West
The Coast Guard rescued five people from the aground 65-foot sailing vessel, Serenity, Thursday approximately 5 miles south of Key West.At approximately 6 p.m., Coast Guard Sector Key West watchstanders received a report from the crew via VHF radio channel 16 of five people who ran aground on Sand Key Reef. Watchstanders diverted a Coast Guard Station Key West 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement boatcrew who arrived on scene, safely embarked the people and transferred…
Silver Ships to Debut Demo Boat at Miami
Silver Ships, Inc. has announced its collaboration with industry vendors in the creation of an aluminum demonstration yacht tender. The 36-foot demo boat is designed and manufactured to serve the purpose of supporting a large yacht with comfortable seating for up to 10 passengers.The vessel is an Ambar series Rigid Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) equipped with an extended, enclosed center console with forward cuddy (with boat head). It is outfitted to satisfy the need for versatility in both recreational and commercial use…
Ocean Master Revamps Its 31' Center Console
Ocean Master Marine has significantly upgraded its 31-foot center console sport fishing boat, with design changes to the running bottom for improvements in acceleration, top speed and fuel economy. Additionally, a flat deck becomes an option in the 2017 Tournament Model. Furthermore, two sets of lifting rails were added, a V pad with its own lifting rails and two inset lifting rails aft. These changes have improved the Ocean Master 31's maneuverability, generated greater stability and enhanced performance.
Honda Marine on Display at Miami Boat Show
Honda Marine is set to market its complete range of outboard marine four-stroke engines at the 2016 Miami International Boat Show, February 11-15, 2016. At this year’s show, the Honda Marine team will showcase its four-stroke outboard engine, ranging from 2.3 to 250 horsepower, Honda Marine’s full line of current production models meets California Air Resources Board (CARB) 3-Star standards, ensuring their availability and regulatory compliance in all 50 states, the manufacturer said. Important Honda Marine show highlights include a spotlight on the company’s newest marine outboard engine, the Honda BF100.
Safety Alert: Global Navigation Satellite Systems
This past summer, multiple outbound vessels from a non-U.S. port suddenly lost GPS signal reception. The net effect was various alarms and a loss of GPS input to the ship's surface search radar, gyro units and Electronic Chart Display & Information System (ECDIS), resulting in no GPS data for position fixing, radar over ground speed inputs, gyro speed input and loss of collision avoidance capabilities on the radar display. Fortunately, the vessels were able to safely continue their voyage using radar in heads up display, magnetic compass and terrestrial navigation. Approximately 6nm later, the vessels' GPS units resumed operation.
Great Lakes Agencies Partner for Operation Dry Water
U.S. Coast Guard and maritime law enforcement agencies on the Great Lakes and surrounding areas will partner up Friday through Sunday for the seventh annual Operation Dry Water campaign, a nationwide, multiagency effort focusing on boater education and raising awareness that it is unsafe, as well as illegal, to operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol. “Along with alcohol use, three of the other top five contributing factors in recreational boating deaths are operator inattention, improper lookout and inexperience of the operator,” said Mike Baron, the U.S.
SAFE Boats Partners with NASBLA
SAFE Boats International announced a Mission Partner Sponsorship with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Signed on July 28, 2014, this agreement unifies the interconnected missions of both organizations to jointly enhance the safety and security of our nation’s waterways by strengthening the abilities and enhancing the knowledge and skills of every maritime law enforcement officer and emergency responder. “We are very proud to call SAFE Boats International our Mission Partner,” says NASBLA Deputy Executive Director John Fetterman.
Coast Guard Urges Caution near Tappan Zee
The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) issued a statement urging boaters to use special caution when operating vessels in the vicinity of the Tappan Zee Bridge. The bridge is in the midst of a multi-year repair and refurbishment project that necessitates the presence of work boats, many of them moored overnight in the immediate vicinity of the bridge. The on-going construction has led to the establishment of what is known as a Regulated Navigation Area (RNA), a designated area of the Hudson River within which vessel movements are restricted.
Willard Vessel Chosen to Umpire America’s Cup
Willard Marine, Inc. of Anaheim, Calif. announced that the America’s Cup Racing Association has chosen to use their 43’ High Speed Interceptor RIB as the Umpire Boat for this summer’s race. This year’s new AC 72 Catamarans have hulls that will reach speeds over 40 knots. The Willard Interceptor was designed for high performance and can go as fast as 62 knots which is needed to keep a faster pace than the racing hulls. Willard Marine Inc. is a leading manufacturer of fiberglass and aluminum boats for a wide variety of military, law enforcement, and commercial customers.
Traditional Micronesian Canoe Sinks, Students Rescued
Multiple agencies and Amver ship work together to rescue 10 from the Philippine Sea, 90 miles NE of Palau. The U.S. Coast Guard in coordination with the Republic of Palau Division of Maritime Law Enforcement and the Royal Australian Navy Maritime Surveillance Advisor partnered to provide assistance. The mariners in distress originated their voyage on a 60-foot traditional sailing canoe traveling from Palau to the outer islands of Yap State in the Federated States of Micronesia.
Super Bowl XLVII & Lower Mississippi Maritime Security Ops
In support of Super Bowl XLVII, a team of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies begin maritime safety and security operations on the lower Mississippi River, Monday. Response boats, patrol vehicles and enforcement personnel from more than 16 law enforcement agencies will conduct maritime security operations in the downtown New Orleans area and at the Port of New Orleans. All agencies will work together within a unified command, lead by the Port of New Orleans Harbor Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard, to provide a coordinated safe and secure environment for Super Bowl participants and the general public.
The Weakest Link
The world is changing fast and this is especially true in the fast boat sector. Since the millennium, rigid hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) and high speed craft (HSC) have been at the cutting edge of maritime operations for everything from homeland security and law enforcement to extreme weather rescue. For over 30 years specialist organizations around the world including the RNLI (UK lifeboat), Royal Marines, US Navy and US Coast Guard have driven the evolution of fast craft. They know what has worked in the past and know what boats they want for the future.
