NYCkayaker 5 boro and the USCG

[Erik Baard]

In many ways I agree. I was spared having to make that decision because
the event co-sponsors, MWA and the Department of Parks and Recreation
wanted to go this route. 

That said, even kayakers who support (advocate!) for CG engagement have
told me back channel that they are shocked and dismayed that the demands
being placed on us by the CG is undermining their case and confidence.

Erik

> I'd like to make one comment on all the USCG crazy rules.
> 
> 4 or 5 years ago when the first large circumnavigation event was being
> planned I argued long and hard, but unsuccessfully, with the organizer NOT
> to ask for a CG permit.
> 
> My reasoning was that we should be free to run these kind of events
> without asking permission to exercise our right to paddle. It is a
> dangerous precedent to have to ask for permission, since once you ask they
> can say no, or they can put silly unreasonable limits on you.
> 
> I learned this lesson long ago at the Downtown Boathouse when planning our
> annual race the Harrison St. Regatta. We don't ask for permission, we run
> the event safely, and we have up to 75 boats on the water at once and it
> all goes just fine.
> 
> Now you are seeing some silly unreasonable limits being imposed, and in
> the case of motorized escorts you have expensive barriers being put in
> your way.
> 
> What is next? requirement for a permit for every trip over some arbitrary
> number of kayakers? Soon we will end up like the poor bicyclists in
> critical mass where the police decide a limit of the number of people on
> bikes to constitute a parade. Then when you apply for a permit they say
> no, then if you run the event anyway you are breaking the law and they
> arrest you. A fun event like critical mass has turned into a civil rights
> battle and a pissing contest between the bikers and the cops.
> 
> If you run a tour correctly, and don't block commercial traffic, or
> require a shutdown of the waterways you shouldn't need a permit, and you
> shouldn't ask for one, in my opinion.
> 
> ---------------
> Tim Gamble
> 917-721-8851
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Erik Baard

LIC Community Boathouse
http://www.licboathouse.org

Nature Calendar
http://www.naturecalendar.com

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