Out of state boaters in NJ waters...

[Capt. Debbie]

Bob,

If you spend enough time on the water you get the gamut of experiences and hey "go figures".

I was towing a family south bound in a cabin cruiser to Channel Club. The tides at out back as we approach the Sea Bright Bridge. I put out a Securite call on VHF 16. When I'm about 200 feet from going under the bridge, this guy rushes past me in a 60' yacht. Wakes the shit out of us. The family on my tow come out of deck. I think 6 people.

The 60' yacht named Sea Foam blows past me to get under bridge, and the numbnuts realizes he will not fit. Slams it into reverse towards me. I have to do a hard over and get on the gas to take the slack out of the tow while yelling hang on to them so my tow does not get rammed by him backing up.

A-hole on yacht ends up pinned sideways with the incoming tide which rips there. His whole port side superstructure is smashed to shit and the bridge tender is out looking over the side. WTF?????

He smashed up boat, put us at extreme risk and damaged Sea Bright bridge to some extent. I call USCG.

We have 10 witnesses to this crap. NJSP boat gets on scene. The NJSP boat arrives at Channel club. This why I bring this story up.

The trooper does know what to charge him with despite the witnesses, boat damage and bridge tender calling in possible bridge damage. Duh!

How's: Reckless endangerment for me and 6 passengers. Reckless boating. Negligent operation. Criminal Mischief. etc.

I get subpoenaed to Sea Bright municipal court. This clown shows up with a lawyer expecting to go to jail. The town prosecutor asks me what's appropriate plea offer? The law is disorderly persons with a fine up to $500.

I suggest max out the fine. The lawyer he brought and the damages to the boat are multiples of that.

I learned many government people simply do a job and not all that knowable in what they do. Some are clueless.

A few emails ago, I cited the NSP MSB reqs which are obviously contrary to what you were told. Ask another and get another answer. LOL