Is that really a true story ? Sounds crazy. Is this even the USA any more ?
They can stop you for anything. They stopped that same son of mine when he was out without me and checked for a fire extinguisher and made sure there were enough life preservers for the people on the boat and a throwable floaty you have to have on your boat that you can throw to someone who is struggling in the water. They don't need probable cause to stop and check you.