FWC Law Enforcement Report
From FWCThis report represents some events the FWC handled July 14-20 in the Northwest region. (There were no cases reported for Wakulla County.)
BAY COUNTY
• Officers T. Basford, Coker and Jarrell were on patrol in St. Andrews Bay when they observed a vessel making unusual movements while underway. They stopped the vessel to conduct a boating safety inspection. There was a child not wearing a life jacket and the operator did not have a boater safety card. During the inspection, the operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Jarrell conducted standard field sobriety tasks and determined the operator was impaired. The operator provided breath samples and the results were over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. The operator was arrested for boating under the influence and issued citations for no boater safety card and no life jacket on a child under six years of age.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
• During the Blue Angels Air Show, Officers Burkhead and Ramos conducted a safety inspection on a vessel with a large crowd on board. As Officer Burkhead asked the operator to provide required safety equipment, he noticed that the operator appeared to have a difficult time producing the requested items. In addition, the operator’s eyes were bloodshot and glassy and his movements were slow. Officer Burkhead asked the operator if he thought he was too impaired to operate a boat and the operator replied by saying maybe so. Officer Burkhead conducted standard field sobriety tasks on the operator, which he performed poorly. The operator also provided a breath sample that was over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. The subject was placed under arrest and transported to the Escambia County Jail.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
• While patrolling on St. George Island Sound, Officers Hartzog and Forbes conducted a boating safety and resource inspection on a recreational fishing vessel. During the inspection, the operator of the vessel was observed to be impaired and was asked to conduct standardized field sobriety tasks. After completing the tasks, the operator was determined to be operating a vessel while under the influence. While arresting the operator, a vessel occupant became belligerent and continued to board their patrol vessel after being instructed not to. The occupant and the operator were arrested and transported to Franklin County Jail.
OFFSHORE PATROL
• While on patrol south of Franklin County, Lieutenant Smith and Officers Hartzog and Nelson observed a recreational fishing vessel with several individuals on board fishing. The officers conducted a resource inspection and found the occupants of the vessel were in possession of out-of-season gag grouper and not in whole condition filet, and undersized red snapper, flounder, and out-of-season, undersized greater amberjack. The officers documented the violation and forwarded details of the violation to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.