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Law enforcement officers out in force
for “White Trash Bash”
May 21, 2007
Contact: Capt. Donald Duval (850) 697-3764
If the past is any indication, a near-record
number of boaters are expected to participate in the event
that’s become known as the “White Trash Bash” at Dog Island
Memorial Day weekend.
An estimated 500 boats with 700-900 occupants
are likely to make the 7-mile run Sunday, May 27 from the
Franklin County mainland, across Apalachee Bay, to a cove at Dog
Island. The boaters, from North Florida and South Georgia, go to
celebrate the weekend by cooking out, swimming and partying.
“We want people to enjoy themselves but do it
safely,” said Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
(FWC) Capt. Donald Duval. “That means without excessive alcohol
or any drugs.”
Duval, who heads up the FWC’s Carrabelle field
office and oversees law enforcement operations in the six
easternmost Panhandle counties, said 14 boaters were arrested
during the event last year for boating under the influence
(BUI), one for DUI, and a number were charged with drug
offenses.
This year, the same coalition of law enforcement
agencies will be out working the water again. The group includes
the FWC, Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, Florida Highway
Patrol, U.S. Coast Guard and Division of Alcoholic Beverages and
Tobacco.
“The sheriff’s office is even making a van and a
driver available so they can quickly transfer suspects to jail,
and officers can get back out on the water,” Duval said.
First-time BUI offenders can expect to pay fines
of up to $500.
If a boat operator under the influence is
involved in a boating accident involving death or serious
injury, he can be charged with a felony and face possible prison
time.
The Memorial Day weekend is one of the busiest
boating weekends of the year. It comes at a time when Florida is
already reeling from 32 confirmed boating fatalities since Jan.
1, marking this as potentially one of the deadliest boating
years on record.
FWC officials say the number and severity of
boating accidents could be reduced if boaters would adhere to
the following tips:
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Every occupant in a vessel should wear a
life jacket. Most people who die in boating accidents die
from drowning.
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File a float plan. That’s as simple as
telling someone where you are going and when you expect to
return.
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The operator should always avoid the use of
alcohol and drugs.
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Make sure your vessel is seaworthy and has
the required safety equipment, including flares, life
jackets, VHF or marine radio and fire extinguisher, if
required.
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Pay attention. Many boating accidents occur
due to inattentiveness of the operator.
For more information about safe boating in
Florida, go to
MyFWC.com/boating.
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