Coast Guard 33-Foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement file photo by PA2 Adam Eggers.
MIAMI — A Coast Guard Station Fort Lauderdale 33-foot Special Purpose Craft—Law Enforcement boatcrew terminated the voyage of a 26-foot pleasure craft with seven passengers aboard in the vicinity of Dania Beach where the operator was boating under the influence, Saturday.
A Station Fort Lauderdale crew arrived on scene with the 26-foot vessel after observing the vessel operating erratically and conducted a sobriety test on the operator.
“The Coast Guard reminds boaters of the dangers of boating under the influence. In addition to decreasing the operator’s ability to make sound judgments, the consumption of alcohol also negatively affects the ability of passengers to respond in the case of an emergency on the water,” said Petty Officer 1st Class Justin Newman, Coast Guard Sector Miami command center watchstander. “In addition to designating a sober boater, boaters are encouraged to always wear their life jackets, file a float plan with a friend or family member, have fire extinguishers on board and carry a working VHF-FM radio and Electronic Position Indicating Radio Beacon.”
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation agents arrested the vessel operator after positive results for operating under the influence and safely transferred the vessel to the 15th Street Boat Ramp by commercial salvage.
