Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 9:52:33 AM

Interesting stop by Marine Police this weekend in the Sandy Creek area.  My son was sitting in the front but not all the way in the boat (but still below the gunwale) which is why he said he stopped us.  Asked for our boating license and registration and then asked to see the number of life jackets, our throwable flotation device and fire extinguisher.  He also quizzed the young men about their age as some of them were drinking a beer (all of them are around 25).

He was generally professional but not very pleasant or friendly but when he pressed on the issue of the Alabama boaters license I pointed out to him that we were not full time residents and did not operate a boat on the lake a sufficient number of days per year to require one.  He said that was debatable since the boat was registered in Alabama.  I politely stated out that the law doesn't mention anything about boat registration.  However, we only had color copies of our driver's license on the boat which is technically not sufficient but he did not raise that as an issue.  I hate the idea of having my actual driver's license on the boat but probably will do so in the future.  Did not give us a citation or a written warning and we went on our way.  

The others in the boat thought it was an unpleasant experience but I pointed out to them that he deals with idiots and drunk boaters all the time and he could have given us a citation but didn't.  All in all it was a good learning experience for my son to see that there is enforcement on the lake and if he is operating the boat he needs to be prepared and responsible.  He did ask me after that where we kept all the things the MP asked for and said he was going to have his license with him when he operates the boat.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 10:07:18 AM

Your experience is exactly why I advise all out of state operators to obtain a vessel only license.  Having it shows an officer that you are reponsible enough to go to the trouble and repectful of the law.  They are simple and easy to get and may have the effect of an officer being in a better mood when dealing with you.  Also since they are only needed on the boat, you can just leave them on the boat.

Name:	HARRY -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 10:20:13 AM

I don't understand why everyone that operates a boat doesn't have to have them. Seems to me the occasional boater may need the training more than a daily or weekly boater. JMHO.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 10:37:59 AM

I have taken the course and agree that it would be a good idea for anyone that regularly operates a boat in the state.  But that's not what the law says as I pointed out.  And I only knew that because I had taken the course.  We also knew you couldn't have anyone riding in front of the boat above the gunwale and were strcitly in compliance with that based on where my son was sitting.  Even so, he could have cited us and we could have maybe fought it and won but I probably wouldn't have done so.  As I said, he was just doing his job and used good judgment in not citing us which I very much appreciate.  I think I would be friendlier than he was but I don't have to deal with people the way he does so maybe not.......

Name:	lakngulf -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 10:56:18 AM

I also heard that Lois Lerner was on the way to check into your Lake House IRS deductions.  They have your number MM

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 11:44:55 AM

Nah....she is still on paid leave..........whoever replaced her is on the case.  

Name:	GoneFishin -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 3:45:16 PM

Meet her replacement. 

Nice to see you drive by and post. The Forum was getting dull without your rhetoric. To keep track of Alabama usage hours, zero out the trip miles at the beginning of the season and just show it to the officer.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 3:58:25 PM

Even you couldn't get hired at the IRS.  As for the proof about not needing an Alabama boating license that is indeed the tricky question.  The way the regs are written it says 45 days per year.  Does that mean that driving the boat for two minutes equals one day or something different?  Either way, 45 days for a weekender equals over 22 weekends which means you would need to be at the lake every weekend from the beginning of May to October and drive the boat every one of those days.  As much as I would like to be there that often I don't even come close.

As for my absence, I did a two-week Holy Land pilgrimage in mid April and haven't gotten back into the Forum.  

Name:	Samdog -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 5:29:40 PM

Was he in one of their new center console boats? Those are going to be harder to spot.  :)

Name:	DSCR -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/9/2016 9:19:29 PM

How do you get a license?  Back in 08 or so, I paid for and took the online test and passed, of course. I inquired several places about an actual license. I was told by several folks that there was only an endorsement on an AL DL and I should just get the endoresment when I move back and re-acquire an AL DL. 

So, if there is a way to have an actual license, I'd like to do that.

Name:	Lifer -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/10/2016 7:11:09 AM

You can go online and take the test and they send you a certificate you take to any DL exam off and get a physical license. I think you could get a vessel only license only in '08 but not certain. One friend told me she got a discount on her boat insurance when she told them she had a license but that is the only time I ever heard that.

Name:	MartiniMan -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/10/2016 8:34:02 AM

Yes he was and we never saw him until he was coming up behind us with the blue light flashing.

Name:	btexpress -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/10/2016 8:40:58 AM

  While i concur with you...they need to make it easier to obtain.  Depending on the anlge of the earth, moon cycle and mood of clerk at the court house...you may get an out of state license in a day or so.  I gave up as did my neighbor.  They run you around and don't even know their own policies or procedures.

Name:	Shortbus -	Reply
Subject:	Stopped by Marine Police this weekend
Date:	5/18/2016 9:59:27 AM (updated 5/18/2016 10:00:41 AM)

Issue a boat only license clearly labeled as such.  Do a simple mod to the driver's license software to issue

a boat only license.  Make it for 10 years. The state makes 5 copies.  Put it in your scooter, boat, sailboat. 

Forgetaboutit.