# Coast Guard Seeks Reason for Sailboat Chase **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 22, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246 "2013-07-22T20:31:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ducati](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/cc9497/32.png) [@ducati](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ducati)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/1 "2013-07-22T20:31:49Z")
How in the world does it take 5 hours to apprehend [some asshole in a sailboat?](http://abcnews.go.com/US/coast-guard-seeks-reason-sailboat-chase/story?id=19735408) Coasties in Sausalito tried to board this boat for a safety inspection and he took off. At 2.5 miles per hour. Led them out of SFO bay and into the Pacific Ocean. This is the equivalent of a drunk on a lawnmower heading home. Walk over and snatch his ass up. The hell? Any Puddle Pirates out there want to defend your California buddies or their ROE? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/2 "2013-07-22T20:54:48Z")
They nailed him. Will probably be hanged from the yardarm. ---
**Author:** ![Balance](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/ccd318/32.png) [@Balance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balance)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 8:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/3 "2013-07-22T20:59:41Z")
According to the article you linked, the chase went out a total of 2.5 miles, not at 2.5mph. I’m no expert on nautical pursuits, but I’d guess he was changing course frequently, making it difficult to match speed and heading with him to board. Also, other articles indicate that he claimed to be armed–which would reasonably make the boarding team cautious–and that the boarding team came from Station Golden Gate, not the cutter that originally approached the sailboat. (That, I presume, is the assistance the cutter requested.) Also, they initially approached at ~4:00 PM and boarded at ~7:00 PM–three hours, not five. I’m not judging their performance either way, but it seems obvious that pursuing someone in a boat involves considerations that don’t apply to a chase on land. You can’t just cut off a 45-foot sailboat and expect it to screech to a halt, for one thing. As for walking over and snatching him up…can you walk on water? ---
**Author:** ![Simplicio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c37758/32.png) [@Simplicio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Simplicio)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/4 "2013-07-22T21:43:01Z")
> [@ducati](#): > > How in the world does it take 5 hours to apprehend [some asshole in a sailboat?](http://abcnews.go.com/US/coast-guard-seeks-reason-sailboat-chase/story?id=19735408) The “chase and detainment” took five hours, it didn’t take five hours to apprehend him. From the text it sounds like that’s the time it took to catch him, complete a search of the boat, bring him and his ship to shore and book him. As for why the boat got two miles before the boarded it, presumably someone nutty enough to try and outrun the CoastGuard in a sail boat might be nutty enough to start shooting at them, and there isn’t really any reason to try and rush the boat rather then talk him down. It’s not like he’s really going to escape. ---
**Author:** ![YogSothoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/8edcca/32.png) [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/5 "2013-07-22T21:46:09Z")
Perhaps they didn’t have the boarding equipment to get him? How many coast guard ships have planks and rope swings nowadays? ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/6 "2013-07-22T22:08:46Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > Perhaps they didn’t have the boarding equipment to get him? How many coast guard ships have planks and rope swings nowadays? I think they use a dinghy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [July 22, 2013, 10:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/7 "2013-07-22T22:11:24Z")
I wonder if they used the same wind ? ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 6:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/8 "2013-07-23T06:39:58Z")
Coast Guard cutters don’t carry grappling hooks on heaving lines to, um, restrain boats that don’t want to stop. On the 210’ MEC I briefly served on, we could fire a burst of .50 cal across the bow. The GMC (Gunner’s Mate Chief) always wanted to follow that up with a burst of .50 into the bridge. The Warrant Gunner preferred firing a burst from the dual 20 mms into the engine room. If there’s a disparity in sizes of the vessels, we’d have to use a life boat to transport the boarding party to the vessel needed an inspection. And you can’t do that unless the cutter is stopped to lower the life boat (or zodiac). So unless force is authorized, you can end up in a low speed chase. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/9 "2013-07-23T13:24:25Z")
How long has it been since the Coast Guard had 9 pounders & chain shot? That’s what you need to stop a sailing vessel. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/10 "2013-07-23T13:30:18Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > How long has it been since the Coast Guard had 9 pounders & chain shot? That’s what you need to stop a sailing vessel. Hmmm, it _was_ a sail boat they were after. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/11 "2013-07-23T15:18:12Z")
The cutter in the photograph, if it was armed, looked like it would only have small arms. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/12 "2013-07-23T15:43:24Z")
I’m guessing alcohol was involved. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Tom\_Tildrum](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/e95f7d/32.png) [@Tom\_Tildrum](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tom_Tildrum)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/13 "2013-07-23T16:52:59Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > The cutter in the photograph, if it was armed, looked like it would only have small arms. That never stopped a tyrannosaurus. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 6:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/14 "2013-07-23T18:30:40Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > That never stopped a tyrannosaurus. No, but it slowed them a great deal. All you had to do was force them into 3rd and long. They couldn’t catch a pas to save their life. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 6:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/15 "2013-07-23T18:31:54Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Coast Guard cutters don’t carry grappling hooks on heaving lines to, um, restrain boats that don’t want to stop. On the 210’ MEC I briefly served on, we could fire a burst of .50 cal across the bow. The GMC (Gunner’s Mate Chief) always wanted to follow that up with a burst of .50 into the bridge. The Warrant Gunner preferred firing a burst from the dual 20 mms into the engine room. Wow…I mean that’s kind of cool. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 6:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/16 "2013-07-23T18:34:05Z")
> [@Tom\_Tildrum](#): > > That never stopped a tyrannosaurus. It surely stopped them from masturbating. That’s probably why they were so cranky. ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/17 "2013-07-23T18:38:09Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > It surely stopped them from masturbating. That’s probably why they were so cranky. The length of their arms took care of that. Maybe that’s why they were always pissed off. ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/18 "2013-07-23T18:53:13Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Coast Guard cutters don’t carry grappling hooks on heaving lines to, um, restrain boats that don’t want to stop. On the 210’ MEC I briefly served on, we could fire a burst of .50 cal across the bow. The GMC (Gunner’s Mate Chief) always wanted to follow that up with a burst of .50 into the bridge. The Warrant Gunner preferred firing a burst from the dual 20 mms into the engine room. [Quote=Anaamika] Wow…I mean that’s kind of cool. [/quote] Since I was the only member of the crew who had a CIB (due to prior military service) I was assigned to the Law Enforcement Boarding Party and was the de facto Tactical Lead. Which meant I was the first person to board the suspect vessel (as in poke my head above the gunwale and hope it doesn’t get shot off) and was The Man until the CPO or LtJG or Ens boarded. That being the situation, I was all in favor of a non-mistakable message to the suspects that “We are very serious and in no mood for any crap!” ---
**Author:** ![carnivorousplant](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnivorousplant/32/3563_2.png) [@carnivorousplant](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnivorousplant)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 7:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/19 "2013-07-23T19:02:04Z")
> [@Ranger\_Jeff](#): > > Which meant I was the first person to board the suspect vessel (as in poke my head above the gunwale and hope it doesn’t get shot off) Not, “stick the barrel over the gunwale”? ---
**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\ **Post date:** [July 23, 2013, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246/20 "2013-07-23T22:43:02Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > I’m guessing alcohol was involved. 😛 I’m guessing **drugs** were involved, in the secret compartments under the decks. [Like these. But with fewer Wookies.](http://images3.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20130311221231/starwars/images/d/dd/Falcon_smuggling_compartment.png) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/coast-guard-seeks-reason-for-sailboat-chase/664246.md?page=2)