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Re: Stand Up for Your Rights

Posted by Carol Bartleson on March 23, 2008, 2:23 pm, in reply to "Stand Up for Your Rights"
70.220.178.155

Jim, you are a true patriot for freedom for all the peoples. Cudos on your fight for the City Marina ADA compliance. It was long overdue and I am glad for all the disabled on the water you fought for what was right. This compliance will start presidence and awareness for all the facilities to comply. EVERYONE should be able to enjoy the water, not a selected group, just as our anchoring rights MUST remain. I wrote a email to Rep. Bennett and informed him of such. WE ALL MUST stand together and fight these issues. I cannot agree more about the lack of interest or the fear from these boaters who let this happen. Pete (my husband and a DAV) and I havs fought for years over this struggle, going back to the days of Concerned Boaters (Valerie Jones). The lack of interest in these issues from most boaters is very frustrating. If we all stand our ground we can win these struggles. I urge all of you who come by this posting to write, call, and speak out on these issues or we will have to give up this lifestyle or move to Panama!! Carol Bartleson co-owner of Pete's Marine Electronics, formerly in Marathon, and still aboard our Allied Mistress cruising these waterways --Previous Message-- : Stand Up for Your Rights : : I have cruised over 125,000 miles. From the : Chesapeake Bay to the Keys, the Med. and : more. : : For many years I always kept a Log Book; : however, now I also keep an “Ship’s Orders” : book. What is an “Ship’s Orders” book you : might ask. : : A Ship’s Orders book, tells what can be done : and when. It tells what can’t be done and : when things must be done. : : Some “Orders” are simple, such as Order : Number one (1); When sailing, we shall seek : anchorage starting at 4 PM (1600 hours) and : be anchored by 5 PM (1700 hours). : : There are “Orders” for when the workday ends : and clean up begins, when to take weather : reports, etc. : : There are even “Orders” for who can board : the vessel, for what reason and when. This : includes Local Authorities, FWC, Coast : Guard, etc. : : In addition to the Ship’s Order book, we now : carry (downloaded from the Internet) a print : out of Florida Statues as well as Briefs : from the Appellate Courts and FWC Policies : and General Orders : : You see there are very few of us “Billy : Jacks” (you’d have to see the movie) around : anymore, as most Cruisers would rather leave : an area than get into any hassle. And I : guess for the most part I don’t blame them. : : Years ago all a Cruiser needed to know was : the “Rules of the Road”, how to read a chart : and know how much scope to put out. Well : that was then, this is now. Now Cruisers : must know the Federal, State, and local : statues of the area they are in. : : I have read the letters here and elsewhere, : complaining about this cop did this, that : cop did that, etc. And I myself have : contacted James Knight several times during : 2007 regarding the manner in which his FWC : Officers conducted themselves. There in, : is the reason for a “Book of Orders” for my : vessel and a folder containing the Legal : Briefs. : : You see, not all Officers (Local, State, or : Federal) conduct themselves poorly. : However, that being said, I do not and will : not put up with one who violates the legal : statues and/or my legal rights. : : Let me ask you this. You live in a home in : say Tampa. An Officer from Daytona Beach : bangs on your door and demands entry, no if : ands or butt’s. What you do? : : Now you are saying, but the water is : different. : : No it is not. But to know and understand : that, you must know the law and not even : most Lawyers know, because they don't follow : it . : : Now not only do you need to know the Rules : of the Road (which most new boaters don't) : or how to anchor, etc. You need to know the : law. : : You have your vessel’s documents on board : don’t you? You have your charts, log book, : and ID. : : Well today, you must (for your protection) : carry copies of F. S. 327.60 as well as : other Legal ruling. For the FWC, you can go : to their Web Site and get a copy of their : “FWC Policies and General Orders ”. This : tells the FWC Officers what they can and can : not do. : : You may also wish to carry with you FWC : Inspector General Jim Knight’s phone number : (850) 488-6068 : : Any person (Officer or not) that is Not : Authorized to board my vessel is and will be : treated as a pirate and the action necessary : to repel said pirate will be taken. : : If I am anchored in accordance with F.S. : 327.60 and this statues states “…local : governmental authorities are prohibited from : regulating the anchoring outside of such : mooring fields of non-live-aboard vessels in : navigation.” : : I simply tell the “local authorities” : (Miami-Dade, Monroe County Sheriff’s : Officers, etc.) they are not allow to board : my vessel. If they have a problem call FWC. : : And as most vessels now days have a cell : phone on board, program in FWC’s Inspector : General Jim Knight’s phone number (850) : 488-6068. : : When you see FWC in the area, have your cell : phone handy. If approched in any manner : than polite, say excuse me while I contact : Inspector General Jim Knight’s Office and : dial the number. Do not be intimidated just : because they have a badge. : : If you want to be the Captain of your : vessel, then be so. If you feel it is best : to run, for the protection of your vessel : and crew, then do so. : : But when you think “your rights” are being : taken away. They are not. They are being : given away by those not willing to stand up : for them. I for one (of many) am a “Billy : Jack” and have and will continue to stand up : for my rights. : : : Jim Lowry (Vet, Disabled) : Marathon Florida : :

Message Thread: the freedom of anchoring - Ricky March 19, 2008, 9:51 am Stand Up for Your Rights - Jim Lowry March 20, 2008, 10:03 am Re: Stand Up for Your Rights - Carol Bartleson March 23, 2008, 2:23 pm Re: Stand Up for Your Rights - Ricky March 20, 2008, 1:28 pm Ricky you can post it anywhere and everywhere and even use my name if you want. - Jim Lowry March 20, 2008, 1:36 pm « Back to thread

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