It all began around 2005 (8:05 PM) on the evening of January 7, 1999. We were motorsailing north from Marathon in the Florida Keys. It was a clear night, seas were less than one foot and the winds were easterly ten knots or less.  I had just retired for a nap before our arrival at our destination. We were heading for the outer buoy marking the entrance to the Southwest Channel to Tampa Bay. Our position was approximately four miles offshore from Longboat Key, which is a barrier island protecting Sarasota Bay. This was my first boarding!

Brian, my nephew and novice to sailing, was on watch. The autopilot was in control and all was right with the world. Suddenly, we were hit with a powerful spotlight. Then the Coast Guard hailed us on the VHF. By then I was up in the cockpit. I answered on Channel 16 and then moved communication to Channel 22A, the Coast Guard's switch and answer channel. They asked how many were on board, where we were from and where we were going. I replied we were coming from Marathon and heading for St Petersburg (Florida). They then informed they would like to board as a routine Safety Inspection and that I should maintain course and speed. I informed them to come aboard. They then pulled alongside and put three persons aboard.

Upon boarding I was asked if I had any firearms. Of course I replied yes as I always carry my 9mm Taurus. I informed them where it was and someone was sent below to retrieve the gun. They asked if I had any other gun onboard and I replied quite honestly and in retrospect, stupidly, "I can't remember."  I said this because I couldn't remember if I had taken the 25ca. home but confessed that I was sure I had, if it wasn't in the chart table or one of its drawers. (duh)!

After the gun was secured I was asked for the documentation papers. I proceeded below to obtain the papers. Brian was asked to remain topside. Once below I pulled out the documentation papers and handed them to the inspecting officer (a third class boatswain's mate). I should point out that the boarding party was courteous and at no time demanding or intimidating.

I was then asked for each piece of safety equipment according to the official Coast Guard inspection form CG-4100 (Rev. 1-91). I was informed that the lack of a hailing port on the stern caught their attention. This was an infraction. The only other infraction was that my flares expired in December.

During the inspection the boarding officer noticed a chart of Cuba to Tampa Bay. I'm not sure if this caused the ensuing question however here is what followed. I was asked several times where we were going and where we had come from. There was some implication that we may be going to New Orleans. This may have been due to the fact that the boat is documented in New Orleans as I live in that Coast Guard district. To clarify the chart, I obtained this chart from a friend of mine who has made trips to the Bahamas over the past 15 years. This chart had courses laid out and other markings such as towers. While I never really used the chart it was a useful chart for an overall view of where you are in relation to the total coastline.

During all this the boarding officer was noticing my status boards where I keep current information such as radio frequencies, tides and other helpful stuff. Well, a piece of helpful stuff was actually an e-mail I had sent to some friends giving them SSB and HAM frequencies to meet and talk on. This piece of information became immediately suspect. It contained the boat names and e-mail addresses of four friends. The boarding officer proceeded to call in the boat names from this list. I informed him who each was and where they lived. I don't know if he heard back anything on them but I know they are all clean so wasn't worried about anything there.

To help quell the suspicion, I produced a log of our hourly underway fixes, which began in Carrabelle. This helped considerably. Other facts such as the charts that we used and the plotting on the chart(s) coinciding with the fix log helped. As a final offering of innocence, I pulled out a fax from the boat yard in St Petersburg where we were taking the boat. This was dated in October.

I believe it was after this they had seen enough and were satisfied we were who we said and that our stories checked out. I don't know if this was a "routine" boarding or precipitated by something else but prefer to believe it was just routine. Upon their departure I was informed that my 9mm was back in its original place and that the clip was to be found by the stereo. And with that, they were gone in the night.

So all was right with the world once again!

I'd like to entertain any comments anyone may have. Also, if anyone has a story they would like to convey I'd be happy to post your web address. If you would like me to post it here I will be glad to however I would reserve the right to edit and consult with the author before posting.