The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission yesterday announced that there were no boating fatalities during Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29. However, FWC removed approximately 100 unsafe and impaired operators from the water.
“I credit the visibility and the hard work of our officers and partner agencies educating the public, removing impaired boaters from behind the wheel and responding quickly to accidents,” Lt. Col. Brian Smith, acting director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement, said in a statement. “Florida is considered the boating and fishing capital of the world for good reason. Operating a vessel while impaired not only puts yourself and everyone on board in danger but also everyone else around you trying to enjoy a great weekend on the water.”
According to the statement: “FWC officers were laser-focused on boating safety enforcement over the busy holiday weekend. Statewide, officers issued more than 4,000 warnings and nearly 900 citations for boating violations. They responded to more than 40 emergency calls for assistance and search and rescue.”
