Marine Patrol

[Kamper]

Originally Posted by Misty Blue

...
Page 27 of the NH boaters guide states that the Marine Patrol Officers have the right to pull over a vessel at any time for an inspection. (I do not have the specific language right here) No probable cause?
... Any thoughts?

Misty Blue

The NH Supreme court struck that rule down a few years ago. There was a bit of chatter here about the NHMP trying other techniques to build up probable cause for a stop but I don't know what they're doing now. A crooked wake may be enough for a DUI stop.

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Kamper

The NH Supreme court struck that rule down a few years ago. There was a bit of chatter here about the NHMP trying other techniques to build up probable cause for a stop but I don't know what they're doing now. A crooked wake may be enough for a DUI stop.

It's not "probable cause" any longer, but "articulable suspicion"; meaning, the officer has to cite a good reason for the stop. Without supportive evidence, "He looked like he was BWI" may not be enough for "articulable suspicion".

Either "littering", or "having insufficient observers" while towing skiers or tubers could be examples for a good reason for a NHMP stop.

[Kamper]

krose enuff