“On January 28, Ms. Fishel notified plaintiff’s attorney that after consultation with Customs lawyers, “we are returning [the exempt property] to your client without requiring that your client sign a Hold Harmless Agreement.” In conversations initiated by plaintiff’s attorney whereby plaintiff threatened to challenge the constitutionality of Customs requiring a hold harmless agreement before releasing exempt property, both Ms. Fishel, on January 28, and Ms. Stilwell, on February 5, told plaintiff’s attorney the Portland Custom’s office “would continue its policy of requesting that owners sign a hold harmless agreement as a condition of return of their exempt property.””

Of course he should not attempt to clear customs in that district ever again!

Here in Europe they board boats all the time to do “fiscal” inspections. I fly the US flag and am considered a particularly juicy target (inspected 5 times, including 3 special searches for me by French, Spanish, and Irish customs). But I have some Brit friends who are also “controlled” on the UK-flagged vessel, especially in Spain. You have to carry a full dossier of paper around with you all the time to avoid any “interesting discussions” about your tax status. It has gotten to the point that we are now moving from France, because of all the hassel.

Administration arrogance reaches a new height.

Looks like this is another government operation that requires severe pruning.

Well, at least the owner is getting his boat back, and I suspect he’ll agree to the terms of the CPB and call it a lesson learned. Not fair, but I wouldn’t need the aggravation to stand up on a principle that’s going to cost me a lot more money with not much potential upside. I’d love the owner to sue the CPB, heck, I’d even donate a small amount to his legal fund, and see how the CPB fare in court. The continuing problem there is even if the owner wins, the settlement comes from taxpayer dollars. The CPB individuals responsible wouldn’t get more than a slap on the wrist – if that.

I don’t know where you’re from, but it’s easy to forget what goes on in other countries. The real jackbooted thugs there would simply take your boat. If you squaked too loud, you’d be welcome to tell your story from Davey Jones locker.