During water patrols, the primary goal of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers is to ensure boater safety. As the Labor Day weekend signifies the informal conclusion of summer, Floridians and tourists typically savor their last moments on the water before the onset of autumn.
This year, the celebrated boating weekend occurred shortly after a significant hurricane, Hurricane Idalia, hit Florida. Although numerous FWC officers were dispatched to aid in the most affected areas, other officers diligently monitored the waters for careless or inebriated vessel drivers and other severe boating infractions.
From September 2nd to 4th, FWC officers escorted almost 20 intoxicated boat operators off Florida’s waters, issued over 380 citations, and provided safety advice and warnings to more than 2,800 boaters. Impressively, there were no reported fatalities from boating incidents over the holiday period.
The FWC urges all boaters to enjoy time with friends and family but do so safely and don’t forget to designate a sober operator before departing from the dock.
For insights on boating safety, head to MyFWC.com/Boating, click on “Boater Education”, and then choose “Boating Safety.”
If you witness hazardous boating behavior, you can anonymously report it by texting 847411 (Tip411) and starting your message with “FWC”, followed by the location and details of the violation. Alternatively, you can call 888-404-FWCC (3922). For convenience, there’s also the “FWC Wildlife Alert” app available for both iPhone and Android devices.
