Agree Florida is a completely different world than the PNW.
Understand and agree with you with regards to USCG. But the situation is different for LEOs. My meaning here is Sheriffs and State Police. They must prove probable cause to board, as with any home.
I totally agree, FL is a different world because of drugs and people smuggling.
I have yet to be pulled over by the USCG but, .....
I can understand the 'show of force', it is for their protection and safety. I can tolerate that.
LEO, okay, so they maybe they dont have an obvious 'cause'. You tell them NO and you might be detained until they can wake up a judge. They might also pass along your less than desirable attitude and you get inspected frequently until your attitude improves.
My suggestion, unless you are in a dangerous part of the river, relax, let them go about their business and it will all be over quickly. IF you are in a busy channel or perhaps an unsafe part of the river.... ask if you can move the boat to a safer area.... If they want, they can provide someone to move the boat too.
In FL, GA plates and DL..... I got pulled over, in my car, yea, the young officer was correct. I some how managed to break about 6 moving violations in less than 50 ft, at less than 5mph. He detained me for about 30 mins, ran a radio check, came back "just a little old man", had a non-resident with me, never asked for her id. After 30 mins, he came back, gave me a verbal warning, I was "yes sir, no sir, sorry sir". I could see the frustration on his face. All the laws I broke, if I had to go to court, I might as well have taken a taxi because I would not be driving back to the boat..... "leave your license at the desk where you pay the fines."
Dont argue, be remorseful, respectful etc.....
Although I have a concealed weapons permit, I was not armed. Had I been armed, that would be my first sentence out of my mouth and I would surrender my fire arm.... without question if asked/told. I never have a round in the chamber.
The LEOs are more upset/afraid of an armed citizen than the USCG, I dont know why. BUT, this is south FL, a different world. Too many cops have been shot.
I just live with it. SHRUG. I can take so much.... Between the dashboard cams, body cams, voice recorders, police radios, helicopters and the possibility of additional LEO showing up to tear gas me and or taser me, pull me through the window..... appearing on the 6 o'clock news...... I think I will just sit there or stand next to the car.... and wait quietly. If necessary, I think I can cry on command too.
NEVER argue with LEO, never argue with the USCG. They have more guns than me AND they have the courts and jails. I am still too pretty to go to jail even for 12 hours. Ya'll do what you want, behave as you want, go right ahead, piss of the LEO officer and or the USCG.....
Remember, at the end of the day, we all want to go home to the family or in my case, to the boat.