If The DNR Checks Your Recreational Bushel.

[reds]

What do they use to determine you have no more then a bushel?

Do they use a wooden bushel basket? Do you have the crabs in a bushel basket, an orange basket or other?

If you keep crabs in other then a wooden basket, have they taken them out of the container to measure the amount and size?

[Dreampixels]

Using a wooden basket my checks have been visual - I was using a cooler and was asked to seen them - I showed them and was asked how many are in there? I had a crappie counter I kept the count on - I told them 44 - they responded well you will soon be finished - I said yea I figure at those size crabs 55 or 60 would be a bushel - he looked at me and said - I think I would stop at 50.

so needless to say - 50 was my bushel.

[crabman1969]

Using a wooden basket my checks have been visual - I was using a cooler and was asked to seen them - I showed them and was asked how many are in there? I had a crappie counter I kept the count on - I told them 44 - they responded well you will soon be finished - I said yea I figure at those size crabs 55 or 60 would be a bushel - he looked at me and said - I think I would stop at 50.

so needless to say - 50 was my bushel.

50 in a bushel?  Were you following me too DP?

[Mr. Ray III]

Not to get off topic but I'd like to see a full rounded basket with only 48-50 crabs in it. 

[crewstation]

50 in a bushel?  Were you following me too DP?

Gotta give you credit, crabman.  Evey now and then, funny!

[Dreampixels]

Not to get off topic but I'd like to see a full rounded basket with only 48-50 crabs in it. 

I didn't give a rat ares - I saw the shot over the bow -good enuff for me - they had the badge and pen - which we all know the pen is mighter then the sword.

[Dreampixels]

50 in a bushel?  Were you following me too DP?

Too far North for your advice Grabman - where I was - as slow as you move - you would have grown moss on your north side.........

Keep your shorts straight - havin a litte fun......

[Crabbyd]

What do they use to determine you have no more then a bushel?

Do they use a wooden bushel basket? Do you have the crabs in a bushel basket, an orange basket or other?

If you keep crabs in other then a wooden basket, have they taken them out of the container to measure the amount and size?

Reds

Down my way, if they arent in a wooden basket, the DNR has a SS container that is a measured bushel and they will check you with their container.  Watched it happen at Benedict about a year ago and needless to say the 2 guys from Pa spent a long time with the man.  Once they were done checking their crabs and finding a few females and smalls mixed in their 2+ bushels, they then went for the boat and licenses.  They only had one license between the two of them.  The one DNR officer told me it cost them over $500 by the time they were done.  The guys on the Pax dont play if they find one infraction, they keep digging.  Fortunately, when I see them coming, I have all my licenses in hand and my safety gear in sight and have never had anything more than a few minutes of talk but I have seen them spend a ton of time on other boats.  I'm not sure if its a law or not but I was told the other week that if you have a self inflating vest onboard, it is mandatory to have it on if they see it even if you have other vests onboard.  I havent been boarded yet since I heard this to even ask.

[jack1747]

The inflatables only count as a pfd if it's being worn....  So.... If 2 people on board, 1 normal pdf and 1 inflatable, somebody best be wearing the inflatable. 

[Crabbyd]

The inflatables only count as a pfd if it's being worn....  So.... If 2 people on board, 1 normal pdf and 1 inflatable, somebody best be wearing the inflatable. 

Thanks Jack.  I have 2 inflatable and 4 Type 1 vests on my boat at all times.  I was told the guy got a $50 fine for not wearing the inflatable while on the boat and he had other vests also and it was only him on the boat.

[crabtracker]

just use a wooden bushel basket, it saves a lot of trouble and time.had a visit from the DNR on the Pax on Sun, he checked our licenses and safety equipment,asked to see our catch, handed him the basket, he took a quick look at the crab,never even touched one,handed me the basket back, he said yall have a nice day and off he went. five minutes and back on the line. saw him go to the guys beside us, another 5 min and he was on his way again,third boat he was there about 30 min,guess he found something,when he moved on they pulled their line and left. i usually get checked about once a year,seems like they recognize us after awhile, after the first check he usually just gets close enough to see who it is then waves and goes on his way.

[reds]

Thanks Jack.  I have 2 inflatable and 4 Type 1 vests on my boat at all times.  I was told the guy got a $50 fine for not wearing the inflatable while on the boat and he had other vests also and it was only him on the boat.

I keep 2 inflatables on the big boat.

Jacks right. They only count as a PFD if you wear them. But with more PFD's then you need, aboard, it's not mandatory that you wear it.

If the guy didn't go to court, he was foolish.

Anyway on a commercial vessel, I wonder if an inflatable is even legal without the Solas reflective tape.

[Crabbyd]

I keep 2 inflatables on the big boat.

Jacks right. They only count as a PFD if you wear them. But with more PFD's then you need, aboard, it's not mandatory that you wear it.

If the guy didn't go to court, he was foolish.

Anyway on a commercial vessel, I wonder if an inflatable is even legal without the Solas reflective tape.

I'm not sure.  Other than the inflatable, all my PFD's have the reflective tape on them along with my vessel number and last name.  I wear the inflatable because it is comfortable when alone.

[Mikie]

That's the only reason I got an inflatable. If I'm by myself, I put it on. I'm not worried about it being legal - I'm worried about being alive! I've got more then enough required PFD's to meet the legal requirements.

[genecrabman]

I keep 2 inflatables on the big boat.

Jacks right. They only count as a PFD if you wear them. But with more PFD's then you need, aboard, it's not mandatory that you wear it.

If the guy didn't go to court, he was foolish.

Anyway on a commercial vessel, I wonder if an inflatable is even legal without the Solas reflective tape.

Name of Vessel if Documented or State Vessel Numbers must be on the PFD's too.............

[jack1747]

That's the only reason I got an inflatable. If I'm by myself, I put it on. I'm not worried about it being legal - I'm worried about being alive! I've got more then enough required PFD's to meet the legal requirements.

[cutemchuck]

I got checked on the pax on saturday. He was pretty nice, just wanted to see if we had vests and safety equipment. Checked one crab and said you boys be safe and went on his way to the next line.

[tugcapt]

Name of Vessel if Documented or State Vessel Numbers must be on the PFD's too.............

That's how ours are. All PFD's have name of vessel and because we are over 42', anything less than type I is marked "WORK VEST", including our inflatables.  Because we work near coastal, we also have solas tape and lights on the type I, but not required inland.  Also, we can't keep the type I PFD's with the work vests, they have to be stored separate.