Show w t I 1 a 4 LEWIS V. V NORD Boaters Expensive Lesson LessonA A California boatman is paying paying paying pay pay- ing a heavy fine for tor violating federal boating laws because he chose to ignore Coast Guard len leniency ency ON JULY 17 the U. U S. S District District District Dis Dis- Court in Sacramento imposed the maximum penalty of on the boat owner who refused to pay a reduced C fine ne of 25 for violating four provisions of federal boating laws The sportsmans sportsman's boat was boarded in Buckley Cove near Stockton last August by Coast CoastGuard CoastGuard CoastGuard Guard Petty Officer making routine safety checks of boats in the area The boarding officer found four violations which had a total maximum penalty of ABOUT A month later as routine procedure the Coast CoastGuard CoastGuard CoastGuard Guard advised the boatman of the possible total C fine ne and asked asked asked ask ask- ed that he explain his viola viola- The Coast Guard ordinarily ordinarily ordinarily or or- imposes a minimal fine if the boater gives a satisfactory explanation for his violations and provides assurance assurance assurance as as- that the discrepancy has been corrected The Coast CoastGuard's CoastGuard's CoastGuard's Guards Guard's intent is not to collect collect col col- col lect revenue b but t to keep Watercraft Water Water- vater- vater craft and waterways safe for boaters In this case the fine was 25 because it was the boaters boater's second offense The boatman neither paid the fine nor replied to repeated reminders He was then warned warned warn warn- ed that he was subject to court action if he continued to ignore the fine Finally seven months after the initial Coast Guard action the matter matter matter mat mat- ter was turned over to the U.S. U.S. U U. S. S Attorneys Attorney's office on April 29 THE DISTRICT Court required required required re re- re- re the boater to pay the maximum penalty of Ironically the fine Cine was ordered order order- ed to be paid in 14 monthly installments of 25 each |