Boating accidents and unauthorized operation of paddle boats: NorthEscambia.com

The Florida FWC Law Enforcement Agency recently reported the following activities:

Escambia County

Officer Hahr and Lieutenant Lambert responded to a boating accident where a vessel collided with a much larger vessel while attempting to pull away. The operator of the smaller vessel was asked to stop and give information, but continued to move away from the scene. After several hours, officers located the boat owner. The owner was charged with violating navigation rules and leaving the scene of an accident causing property damage.

Officer Hahr and Lieutenant Lambert responded to a request from Pensacola Airport Police regarding a boat that had entered the security zone in Bayou Grande. One of their officers spoke to the boat operator and ordered him to exit the boat, but the suspect argued with him. Officer Hahr accused the boat operator of entering a military security zone.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officers Bower and Brown conducted an inspection at a rental business that rented paddle boats from a trailer. There were no safety information or required signage posted for renters or the public at the rental business. When officers conducted the inspection, it was also discovered that the business did not have a valid FWC-issued rental permit. The manager received a citation for the violations.

Officers Brown and Bower were on patrol when they observed a vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico with fishing gear. Officers conducted a vessel stop and discovered two undersized amberjacks. Two of the vessel’s occupants admitted to spearing and keeping the undersized amberjacks and were cited accordingly.

This report represents some events that the FWC addressed during the period. It does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by the FWC.

Photo by NorthEscambia.com.