USCG Law Enforcement Open House Held
Virginia mariners were presented information covering a wide range of issues at the recent joint agency law enforcement open house for mariners which was held at the Coast Guard station on Chincoteague Island, Virginia.
Participating agencies and agency departments included U.S. Coast Guard Station Chincoteague, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Park Service (NWR), Virginia Marine Resources Commission, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and U.S. Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Commercial Fishing Safety Examiners.
The event received overwhelming response, attracting a large number of mariners and related stakeholders. In attendance were recreational anglers, charter boat operators, fishing guides, tour providers, local merchants and others.
The moderator introduced the panel of presenters and each representative was offered an opportunity to speak about issues that related to their respective fields. Some of the issues brought to attention included an explanation of jurisdictions, overviews of regulations, the new National Saltwater Angler Registry and safety-related information.
In terms of safety, information was provided to private boaters as well as professional vessel owners. Several speakers cited situations that frequently occur in the field as well as possible solutions. Inaccurate information on EPIRB registrations was noted as one problem that agencies are seeing. EPIRB devices, also known as rescue beacons are essential equipment on most of the sea going vessels that sail Virginia’s coastal waters. Each distress beacon must be registered and information updated whenever vessel changes occur. If registration information pertaining to the vessel and owner is outdated, rescue operations can be compromised.
Another issue cited by law enforcement personnel involved discrepancies in reporting. Coast guard officials estimated that a large percentage of merchant mariners credentials revocations were the result of failures in reporting as required by law.
As always, courtesy exams were suggested as a good practice. For commercial vessels, Coast Guard personnel are available to make inspections, provide training and offer other assistance. According to the Coast Guard, these services can usually be arranged to be held dockside. Similar services are available for private vessels, with inspections being completed by the local United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Both commercial and private vessel inspection programs offer stickers to owners of vessels that meet the necessary requirements. Several members of the Coast Guard made it clear to the audience that while displaying an inspection sticker will not eliminate boardings or safety inspections, it is a good step towards keeping those processes to a minimum.
Local charter boat operators provided important input and questions on a number of issues. Subjects included several questions that related to catch reporting. Captains stated that they are sometimes subjected to multiple catch reports for the same trip. The situation occurs as charter boat operators are subject to mandatory trip reports, random phone surveys and dockside surveys. Agency officials were unable to clarify if the data was being cross checked, or if in fact catches may sometimes counted multiple times, thereby skewing estimates.
As expected, much of the discussion related to the National Saltwater Angler Registry. Although no official was able to explain current enforcement of the law, it was noted that guidelines are being developed and enforcement of the new regulations could be possible in the coming months.
In addition to fishing issues, there were several boating-related questions to be addressed. Charter boat operators, tour guides and other attendees asked several questions related to vessel operation. One of the most complex issues involved beaching of boats along local shorelines. Because of the unique make up of the local waterways, boaters may be subject to regulations and enforcement for a variety of agencies. These include Chincoteague Wildlife Refuge, Assateague National Seashore, the United States Coast Guard, Virginia Marine Police and possibly other entities.
In addition to complexity that relates to location, regulations may also vary with vessel type. Regulations may also be seasonal in nature, especially within the wildlife refuge and along areas of the national seashore. Another unique situation for Chincoteague Island involves the pony swim, when special regulations are in effect.
After the open session, attendees were given opportunities to meet one on one with presenters and ask questions. A range of brochures, maps and other materials were made available to the public at the event. Several of the attendees made note of the courtesy and professionalism of the local law enforcement personnel during encounters on the water and there appeared to be considerable interest in having events like this in the future.
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