Sure THEY can, but I'm not allowing the OBI to again.bilgerat57 wrote:Actually, nobody really knows for a fact that the serial numbers were recorded. Chances are pretty good that they were, but nobodys knows for sure. The USCG is allowed to board any vessel, any time for a safety inspection while that vessel is inside the territorial waters of the USA. That's part of what they do. I don't know how the law is worded that allows them to do this, but they can and do. A 'safety' inspection can be just a cursory look around the boat to be sure everyone has a lifejacket, or it can be a complete nightmare where they have the boat all but disassembled. It really doesn't pay to annoy them too much......
I mean just because they had shirts on that say "Official Bikini Inspector ....and badges that said that too...
Fool me once shame on you ...
(kidding)
<Pirate with fake badge emoticon smiley deal>