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Coast Guard arrests a man trying to run a giant hamster wheel across the ocean

8 points by ohjeez 3y ago

_chu1 3y ago
"I'm sorry, I thought this was America"
notRobot 3y ago
It might be a dumb thing to do, but my understanding is that this person was alone and not risking anyone else's safety. If that's the case, it doesn't make sense to me how someone can be arrested for this. Logically speaking, if we want to retain freedom as a construct, shouldn't people be allowed to do what they want to do as long as they're not hurting anyone else?
gumby 3y ago
Finally an article that explains the grounds for his arrest: failure to register his vessel (and his "vessel" is unregisterable under the rules). OK, so far, legit. But seriously, there should be an opt out for a device that's not a boat, the way offfroad vehicles that can't be on a road typically don't need to be registered. Or, though you can't offer it for sail, you can make your own hang glider. Etc.
- NoZebra120vClip 3y ago
  It may have also had something to do with his belligerent non-compliance, brandishing knives, and suicide/bomb threats, what do you say?
  - gumby 3y ago
    I mean why should they even approach him unless there is some crime to be suspected of, like smuggling or trying to sneak in. The knife thing (doesn't sound smart in an inflatable vessel) is after the fact of their arrival.
    - NoZebra120vClip 3y ago
      Well, if you're in the CG, and you spot a homemade vessel that's clearly not seaworthy, and it appears to be headed to parts unknown, do you (1) let the guy get himself into a shitload of trouble to where he hits emergency beacon, and deploy a full-blown open ocean S&R? or (2) approach homeboy close to shore so you can stop him and short-circuit the whole tragedy? I know which one involves less paperwork. In fact, since this isn't the first time that homeboy has pulled this stunt, dollars to donuts says that the CG knows him on sight.
      - gumby 3y ago
        I guess you're right: if this clown vanishes, or worse washes ashore drowned, there will be cries of "Why didn't someone do something???"

8 points by ohjeez 3y ago

"I'm sorry, I thought this was America"

It might be a dumb thing to do, but my understanding is that this person was alone and not risking anyone else's safety. If that's the case, it doesn't make sense to me how someone can be arrested for this. Logically speaking, if we want to retain freedom as a construct, shouldn't people be allowed to do what they want to do as long as they're not hurting anyone else?

gumby 3y ago

Finally an article that explains the grounds for his arrest: failure to register his vessel (and his "vessel" is unregisterable under the rules). OK, so far, legit. But seriously, there should be an opt out for a device that's not a boat, the way offfroad vehicles that can't be on a road typically don't need to be registered. Or, though you can't offer it for sail, you can make your own hang glider. Etc.

NoZebra120vClip 3y ago
It may have also had something to do with his belligerent non-compliance, brandishing knives, and suicide/bomb threats, what do you say?
- gumby 3y ago
  I mean why should they even approach him unless there is some crime to be suspected of, like smuggling or trying to sneak in. The knife thing (doesn't sound smart in an inflatable vessel) is after the fact of their arrival.
  - NoZebra120vClip 3y ago
    Well, if you're in the CG, and you spot a homemade vessel that's clearly not seaworthy, and it appears to be headed to parts unknown, do you (1) let the guy get himself into a shitload of trouble to where he hits emergency beacon, and deploy a full-blown open ocean S&R? or (2) approach homeboy close to shore so you can stop him and short-circuit the whole tragedy? I know which one involves less paperwork. In fact, since this isn't the first time that homeboy has pulled this stunt, dollars to donuts says that the CG knows him on sight.
    - gumby 3y ago
      I guess you're right: if this clown vanishes, or worse washes ashore drowned, there will be cries of "Why didn't someone do something???"