[tevake]

Here is a view from a private boat opperator and long time live aboard, and small commercial boat opperator.

About 20 / 25 years ago when the role of the C G changed from protect and perserve vessels and Mariners. To more of save lives and enforce laws, against drug and people trafficking. Their interaction with civilian boaters also changed significantly.

They will now stand by as a vessel in trouble gets deeper into trouble to the point that the boaters are in dire peril. Then step in to save the well being of the people aboard.

Not getting involved to assist or save the vessel at the point that it is possible to do so.
Liability issues they say.

Also "safety boardings". are now conducted by boarding parties of usually at least three members, all armed, one usually carrying an AR style rifle in hand. These are routinely done at sea in conditions that don't lend themselves to easyly coming alongside for the boarding and removal of their personal. The resulting damage to the civilian vessel is your problem.

A lot like the change in the dynamic between our citizens and LEO, since protect and serve went away. A similar change in the boating public and the C G has resulted from their changing role.

Clearly there are good reasons for C G and Law enforcement to take steps to protect themselves. But these steps don't lend themselves to comfortable interactions with normal law abiding folks as a rule.

Cheers Richard