From FWC

This report represents some events the FWC handled March 8-14 in the Northwest Region. (No cases were reported in Wakulla County)

FRANKLIN COUNTY

  • Officers Hartzog and T. Nelson observed a recreational vessel with two individuals on board leaving from the bank of the East River with gear consistent with wild hog hunting. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource and boating safety inspection. During the inspection the officers observed the vessel displayed registration indicating it was a homemade vessel, but a contradicting hull identification number was attached to the stern along with a manufacturer’s decal on the side. Through further investigation, it was determined the vessel was recently purchased and the previous owner forged a vessel builder’s statement and committed title fraud. The violations were cited accordingly.
  • Officers Hartzog and Forbes observed a recreational vessel on the Carrabelle River with two individuals who were fishing. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource and boating safety inspection. During the inspection, the officers observed the individuals to be in possession of undersized red drum and one of the individuals to be over his daily bag limit. The violations were cited accordingly.
  • Officers Hartzog and Forbes were conducting a night water patrol on Apalachicola Bay and observed a commercial vessel with one individual on board who was flounder gigging. The officers stopped the vessel to conduct a resource and boating safety inspection. The individual was identified as a commercial angler with extensive history of resource violations. During the inspection, the subject was observed to be in possession of multiple undersized flounder. The violations were cited accordingly.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

  • Officer Bower located a sailboat that appeared to be a derelict vessel. It tilted to its side and had washed ashore and was grounded. The vessel did not have a 360 white navigation light displayed. The owner was issued a notification of rights package and a notice to appear citation for storing a derelict vessel upon waters of the state and a warning for vessel breaking anchor and a warning for no navigational lights present.
  • Officers Bown and Waters conducted a resource inspection on a subject fishing with a rod and reel. The subject stated he had a valid fishing license but did not have it in his possession. Upon investigation, the officers confirmed he did not have a fishing license and had an active warrant. The officers placed the subject under arrest for his warrant and he was transported to the Santa Rosa County Jail. The subject was cited appropriately.

In the North Central Region:

TAYLOR COUNTY

  • Officers Rowe and Edwards and Lt. Loyed responded to an airboat accident at Keaton Beach. The operator of the airboat hit a stump and made impact with a palm tree causing four occupants to be ejected from the boat. Two subjects were transported to a local hospital. The operator received a citation for the navigation violation.