Awhile back I was running up the Keys with a friend's boat that had just come out of the shop in Key West. Since I rarely get on board a boat without a rod, I decided I might as well run out and see if I could catch a tuna for dinner.

As I scanned the radar for birds, I picked up a blip heading in my direction at a high rate of speed. As expected, it was not very long before a Coast Guard boat pulled alongside and requested permission to board for a safety inspection. Three of the four-man crew jumped on the boat and promptly asked for my boat registration. I could see they were becoming suspicious as I tried to explain that the boat didn't actually belong to me. I have to admit, my story about it being a friend's boat and the fact that I was running way offshore all alone did sound a little fishy.

I gave them my friend's boat registration, my I.D. card, and my T.W.I.C. (transportation workers identification card). The Coast Guard/T.S.A. now requires that all licensed charter captains carry one of the ($135 dollar) I.D. cards. They swiped my T.W.I.C. and then told me to press my thumb on their scanner. Immediately, all of my personal data popped up on their screen. Satisfied that I was one of the "good guys," they quickly completed a check of the boat's safety gear and my empty fish box. They wished me luck in catching some dinner and immediately returned to their vessel to continue patrolling the waters surrounding Key West.

I had almost forgotten about this event until last week when I was fishing offshore with some friends. We mistakenly decided it might be a good idea to run out and try to find the edge of the Gulf Stream in hope of finding some early dolphin (mahi). As luck would have it, as soon as we located some warm water and a nice weed line, a menacing storm started to develop. I watched the rapidly building clouds and decided that maybe it would be better to run away bravely and turned the bow towards home. We were beating our way through building wind and waves when suddenly a Coast Guard jet came down low and started slowly circling around us. I figured they just wanted to eyeball the boat so I kept on running, trying to put the storm further behind me.

I did, however, reflexively reach down and turned the VHF radio from channel 79 (the fishing and lying channel) to channel 16. After circling the boat four or five times, the jet made a low altitude pass directly overhead approaching from our stern. I assumed being that low they had to have seen fishing rods hanging out of every rod holder on the boat, so I maintained speed and course. The next pass was even lower and this time they rocked their wings as they passed over our bow. As I backed the boat down to idle speed, I heard them hailing us on the VHF radio. The pilot requested that we provide the registration number, port of origin, destination and mission. Since the boat has a Spanish name on the side of the hulls, it was all I could do not to key the mic and respond "no comprenda, senor". However, I figured that maybe the boys in blue might not be in the mood for my crazy sense of humor! I gave them all of the data they requested and after confirming everything was correct, they very professionally wished us a nice day. I stood there on the wildly rocking boat and laughed as I watch the jet climb for altitude.

My fishing buddy looked at me and asked, "What the heck are you laughing at?" I smiled and told him this has to be the first time I was ever pulled over by a jet. As luck would have it, I just happened to spot a frigate bird circling not too far away. We powered up and headed in that direction. Within a matter of minutes of putting out the first bait, the line started screaming off the reel. I guess I actually have to thank the Coast Guard guys for "spotting" this fish for us. If they hadn't stopped us, we would probably have run right past the frigate and a nice four-foot dolphin (mahi).

A lot of people view these types of incidences as a hassle, but I can assure you that every night when I put my head on my pillow, I give thanks that our military service members are on duty 24-7, protecting our freedom. In fact, any mariner who ventures out to sea owes a debt of thanks to the women and men of the Coast Guard, who are always standing by to assist sailors in distress, no matter how bad the weather may be.

The Coast Guard is a unique multifaceted organization tasked with completing 11 separate missions: (1) Marine safety, (2) Marine environmental protection, (3) Search and Rescue, (4) Migrant interdiction, (5) Drug interdiction, (6) Security of ports/coast/waterways, (7) Living Marine resources, (8) ICE operations, (9) Law enforcement, (10) Aids to navigation, and (11) Defense readiness.

In 2008 alone, dedicated Coast Guard personnel responded to more than 24,000 search and rescue calls and saved more than 4,000 lives. They also detained nearly 5,000 undocumented migrants who were attempting to enter the Unites States illegally. In addition, Coast Guard boarding teams bravely interdicted ships at sea, preventing nearly 185 tons of illicit cocaine from entering the United States. Theses dedicated professionals also ensure that more than 40,000 aids to navigation (buoys and beacons) are properly functioning so sailors and ships can safely navigate our coasts and ports.

I was fortunate to have worked alongside the Coast Guard while stationed in GITMO. I can assure you that they always lived up to their motto of Semper Paratus -- Always Ready -- especially when asked to assist and save lives.

Capt. Pete Peterson welcomes comments and suggestions sent to petersonventures@aol.com.