Ticket today by Orwood

[careyj1]

Hi, I am hoping by posting this it will save another family from a ticket. I took the family bass fishing today and launched out of Orwood. On the way in around 2:00pm we were about 200 yards from the docks and my 7 year ago daughter asked if she could take off her lifevest, we said yes and the Sheriff's boat came by and yelled how old is she, we said 7 and they followed up to Orwoods dock and gave us a ticket for her not having her lifevest on. I thought in a 5 mph zone kids didn't need the lifevest. I was wrong. I have no problems with the ticket, or the law, however I now must show up in Municpal court which will reqiure me to miss work. I think its a shame that I can not pay the fine and move on, but having to miss work to go to court over this seems excessive. Does anyone know any way to get out of the Delta Court?

Also, I have launched out of Orwood twice and both times I have seen police officers in the parking lot. Are there always officers at Orwood, are there any issues I should be worried about with my family?

It's my fault about the not having the lifevest on by the docks, I was also told if I was using my trolling motor, my kids because they are under 12 would always need to be wearing a lifevest.

Thanks for any help so I don't miss work. Jamie

[Fish Trap]

Not sure how to help you with the court, but thanks for the post. I had my 8 year old daughter read it and now she knows I am not joking when I tell here to put it on.

[Scott Robertson]

bummer for you and your family but nice to know the rules. Thanks for the post. Scott

[Mike]

I don't think you will have to go to court, but be prepared to pay around $300-$400 for the fine. I got a ticket in Discovery Bay for pulling my 9yo boy in the 5mph zone. We were going 5mph but I didn't have a flag person in the boat. I thought is was kind of chicken Chit. The fine was around $300.

[hippie]

yeah you can file all by mail and ask what your being charged for by the district attorney. they have i think 60 days to respond if they don't case dismissed.

[meagain]

okay now i'll bite!
thought it was under 16 you have to wear a jacket? at all times?

[hippie]

yeah but a ticket is unlawfull, its a way for the government to take your money. learn the law you can get out of almost any ticket. im sure some cops will get on here and protest, but theres loop holes. you can get out of the ticket you got, its easier to just pay the fine. thats what the government wants you to believe. do some research on it over the net i bet you will come up with how to get out of it.

[some guy]

yeah but a ticket is unlawfull, its a way for the government to take your money. learn the law you can get out of almost any ticket. im sure some cops will get on here and protest, but theres loop holes. you can get out of the ticket you got, its easier to just pay the fine. thats what the government wants you to believe. do some research on it over the net i bet you will come up with how to get out of it.

Amen.

[PeteD]

Heres where it reads the violation.

Under state law, it is an infraction, punishable by a fine of up to $250, to
operate a vessel that is 26 feet or less in length unless every child 11 years of
age or younger on board is wearing a Type I, II, III, or V Coast Guard-approved
life jacket. The law does not apply to:
■ the operator of a sailboat on which every child under age 12 is restrained
by a harness tethered to the sailboat, OR
■ the operator of a vessel on which every child under age 12 is in an
enclosed cabin.

This is from the book issued from California department of waterways.

PeteD

[L Dub]

Also, I have launched out of Orwood twice and both times I have seen police officers in the parking lot. Are there always officers at Orwood, are there any issues I should be worried about with my family?

Cops are always there because of the high amount of drunken boaters that launch out of there. Over summer on the weekends I would always see them arresting somebody in the late afternoon/ evening times.

[calfisher71]

Allthough I see the post with the Rules I do believe it is 16 years and under at all times! My kid a girl had to use the poty. We had a kids porta poty on board. She took the vest off to go poty.

They boarded my boat, were rude,checked everything from vests to fire extingushiers and more.

They did not write me a ticket since they saw me put it right back on her. She couldnt poop with a strap around her butt. And the porta poty allows us to export the remains once on land for those smart people!

They are concernd with safety and that makes sense, but a warning would have been fine for you!