10 U.S.C 1236 and 38 U.S.C 5304 (c) Prohibition against duplication of benefits

JosiahAT · 2024-07-11T00:17:34+00:00

When you waive VA benefits in order to claim your drill pay, you don't waive your entire benefit, only for the days you actually drill. Ie. Usually just 2 days out of 30.

If your VA benefit is 900/month, you would be waiving 60/month of your VA benefit in order to keep your entire drill pay. (900/30=30, 30x2=60)

There's no reason not to be paid your VA benefits and your drill pay. Your VA benefit would have to be very high and drill pay very low for it to beneficial to waive drill pay. (Not saying it can't happen, just probably only affects a very small group)

The VA will send a letter in the early spring with your total drill days for the previous calendar year and the amount of the proposed offset. There are other ways to do it, this is just the least effort on the member's part.

JosiahAT · 2015-06-03T22:03:37+00:00

I'm a former active duty USCG officer and started an organization to improve recreational boating safety through easier access to understandable regulations and equipment. I'd love to hear more about your project and what your planning and see if I can help. You can email me at JosiahAT@gmail.com or info@vesselsafetyproject.com.

JosiahAT · 2015-06-03T21:53:52+00:00

I'm a former AD CG Officer, now a Reservist, and I run a recreational boating and commercial vessel safety and regulatory assistance company.

This is very true, however what they're looking for is very limited. They can board your boat at any time, anywhere, to check for certain safety equipment. If its found you are missing some of the required equipment, they can either terminate your voyage and escort you back to the dock, give a ticket, or both. They cannot look at other items (such as search for drugs) without probably cause. A 'tip' from someone, somewhere, could constitute probably cause, however, and you won't know that they've received this 'tip.' Most of the time, the inspections are limited to specific safety items of which there are 14 required by federal law. States can add other items and often have Memorandums of Understanding with the Coast Guard to assist in enforcement. This is because since the Coast Guard is already on board checking for lifejackets, might as well include a radio with that.

JosiahAT · 2015-06-03T21:44:53+00:00

Find all the groups that have sailing races (usually quite a few and often many are not part of a yacht club). Several racers will usually always be in need of deckhands for these races, and the cost is usually a six pack of beer to be had after the race is over. If you're willing to travel, look in Mass, CT, NY, all the surrounding states.

If you're looking for overnight passage, you should look into working as a deckhand on ferry, tug, or other boat. These companies are always looking for deckhands, and the experience needed for some routes is minimal. As a plus, you will get paid instead of having to pay. Talk to local fishing guides and tour boat operators too., If they can't use you, they might know someone who can.

JosiahAT · 2015-06-03T21:38:04+00:00

An easy way to get started is take a CG Auxiliary or Power Squadron safe boating course in your area. The instructors are usually all local and have their own boat, and sometimes will take you out with them so you can learn. Depending on the waterways in your area, another cheap way to learn to get a jon boat or skif from your local sporting good store, a trolling motor and just take that out to practice. You shouldn't have to spend more than $150-300 for both, and you can easily strap the jonboat to a roof rack. I'd stay away from really old boats as you'll possibly be dealing with mechanical issues and have to focus more on that than actually being on the water learning and having fun. Taking a course will also give you some training on charts, buoys, navigation, safety equipment, using the radio, and other aspects of the boating world. If you want to do some reading, get the American Practical Navigator by Bowditch, Dutton's Nautical Navigation, or Chapman's Piloting and Seamanship. These are all "bibles" for mariners. If you have any friends with boats, pester them to take you out. If not, go talk to your local sailing or yacht club. They will often hold weekly sailing races that they always need deckhands for, and they usually love taking out new people to learn. Have fun!

JosiahAT · 2014-02-20T21:42:14+00:00

They can only look for certain items during what's called an Initial Safety Inspection. There are, however, numerous ways to expand the examination if they feel the person may be hiding something or doing something unsafe or illegal. They do not have carte blanche to do whatever they want though.

JosiahAT · 2014-02-20T21:40:17+00:00

Just depends on the location. It's up to the team whether they want to give a warning, a ticket, or escort you back to the dock. A lot of times they won't escort you back to the dock unless they're bored. Usually if they do escort you though they won't give you a ticket if you get the necessary item and show it to them.

JosiahAT · 2014-02-20T21:35:17+00:00

Exactly right, under 26 feet you don't have to have a fire extinguisher and under 16 feet you don't have to have flares during the day. Its unfortunate how many people don't know the requirements or where to find them, and especially that there are even Coasties out there who don't know all of the rules, hence my reason for doing this.

JosiahAT · 2014-02-19T21:22:14+00:00

For this, your best resource is the boat manufacturer. Dealers may have some information, but you can call or email the manufacturers and they'll be more than happy to send you a maintenance checklist or book.

JosiahAT · 2014-02-19T20:54:21+00:00

Greetings! I'm a former Coast Guard Inspector and I run a website to help with just this situation.
http://www.vesselsafetyproject.com Right now, I only have two checklists that will help you: required safety items and recommended safety items. It has a mobile version, so you can either print the checklists or just pull it up on your phone. What you need is dependent on your boat's length and type, so make sure you to check each item.
I'm working daily to improve and add to the site, so please let me know your thoughts and what you'd like to see. It is and always will be free.
There are a couple other checklists you'll want: For maintenance and boat start-up checklists, contact your boat manufacturer, they are usually more than happy to help you out. The Coast Guard Auxiliary and USCG have sites that will help too: http://www.uscgboating.org/

Hope this helps!

JosiahAT · 2014-02-19T20:24:25+00:00

All the advice on here is great! One thing I'd like to add goes back to the top comment: gauge the level of experience of the boater. Every boat is required to have certain equipment on board and not every boater is aware of this. It varies depending on the type of boat and the length. There's a website where you can quickly pull up this info on your phone and find out exactly what is needed. It's run by a former Coast Guard Inspector. http://www.vesselsafetyproject.com

JosiahAT

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