My buddy was stopped during lobster mini season for a boat inspection they demanded his "Diver License" (No Not drivers) what they wanted was his C card.
Lets be clear there is no such thing as a "Divers License" there is no requirement to have a C card. It is an industry certification and not a requirement to dive. Commercial dive boats require it because their insurance companies told them they had to check it.
They also harrassed the divers down saying they needed a flag, NO the boat has the flag the diver had a bouy so they could keep track of him.
Next they threatened to arrest him, too bad I said it would have made a great law suit. FMP are a bunch of over zelous cops on boats that don't seem to know the law and make stuff up.
Don't be intimidated by the Florida Marine Patrol know you diver rights and laws. They are just looking for an excuse to write tickets.
OH please, the bs on this is like stink on flys... that said........were you there? If not take whole thing with a grain of salt.
Con, there have been any number of complaints about LE being a tad bit overzealous in their "enforcement" down the keys.. we have Monroe County, and FWC.
Your buddy is not telling you the whole story... first they probalby did NOT ask for a 'diving' license.. they were checking his FISHING license.. to do the mini season he needs a fishing licence..
Lobster Sport Mini-Season Florida Keys FAQs
We have a real problem with drinking and boating. During mini season, they have to work all day, check lobster size, fishing licenses, deal with drunk fools who a ton of lip. please, your buddy probably had NO license, got chewed on by the cops, who may or may have not taken his bugs. Which may or may not have been legal.
The threatened to arrest him? bwahahaha.. really? That right there tells me his story is suspect. He probably started arguing with him.. to shut him up they probably asked if he wanted to visit "stock island".
Last yr when I did mini season, they were trying to check everyone for bug size, and license.. not diving but fishing license.. your friend is trying to get your sympathy.
It is also a possibility that they did ask to see his C card, depending on his equipment... or his behavior. Could have been that the officer was a diver and concerned that your buddy was not certified and did not know what he was doing. IF the LEO did ask... be happy... perhaps he was genuinely concerned for your buddy's well being.
If you want to hear bad cop stories I have a few and some of them involve water cops... I also have as many stories of great cops.. so its apples and oranges. Most of the time if you are cool they will be too, there are always a few cowboys in every barrel ya know.
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If they were threatening to write a ticket over not showing a C-Card I would have let them. I would have produced a Driver's license and quietly taken the ticket...then gone to court so a judge could explain to this cop that he stepped in it.
Some cops are a-holes, some are great people but all are capable of making a mistake and it wouldn't be the first time a cop tried to enforce a law that didn't exist. The best place to fight that is in a court where a judge will usually follow the law.
ah.... maybe the judge will or not.. its Monroe County. They do things a tad bit differently down here as the Conchs are only to happy to tell you..