FWC busts boaters under the influence
Friday, May 14, 2010
Media contact: Gabriella B. Ferraro, 772-215-9459
It's that time of year when boaters are hitting the
water in large numbers. They're sharing the water with
officers of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC). And the FWC is serious about busting boaters under the
influence of alcohol and drugs.
Since the beginning of the month, FWC officers have
made three boating under the influence (BUI) arrests in Palm Beach
County alone. In addition, alcohol may have been a contributing
factor in a deadly boating accident that occurred last weekend.
In one of the BUI cases, two boats collided in the
Loxahatchee River, injuring two people, including a mother holding
her toddler son. In another BUI case, a 4-year-old child was
onboard a boat but not wearing a personal floatation device, which
is a violation of Florida law.
FWC officers recently completed special training to
help them identify boaters operating vessels under the influence of
alcohol or drugs.
"With Memorial Day and Fourth of July weekends
around the corner, our waterways will be crowded with boaters,"
said FWC Major Jeff Hubert. "Our officers are making sure that all
boaters have a safe day on the water."
Persons with Disabilities