Over the last two weeks, the Division of Law Enforcement for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has had a bustling schedule. Here are the incident reports for Sebastian Inlet, Indian River Lagoon, and the St. Sebastian River.
FWC officers monitor these waterways to uphold conservation laws and guarantee public safety and strive to enlighten the community about the regulations regarding boating and the importance of observing safe practices.
Sebastian Inlet Sandbar
While on state water patrol near the Sebastian Inlet Sandbar, an FWC officer noticed a boat struggling to maneuver through the shallow region. The officer initiated a safety check and detected signs of possible impairment.
The boat’s operator did not perform well upon agreeing to participate in standardized field sobriety tests. The operator was arrested for operating a boat under the influence. His breath sample also exceeded the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.
Consequently, the individual was detained and taken to the Indian River County Jail.
Sebastian Inlet
While on patrol at the Sebastian Inlet, an FWC officer spotted a vessel carrying children. The officer halted the boat to carry out a safety inspection and noted multiple indications of impairment from the operator.
The operator consented to undertake standardized field sobriety tests and was deemed impaired. The boater was taken into custody but later declined to provide a breath sample.
The individual was incarcerated at the Indian River County Jail and charged with operating a boat under the influence with minors on board and refusing to comply with testing.
The officer ensured the children were safely returned to the care of their parents.
Main Street Boat Ramp in Sebastian
During a patrol at the Main Street Boat Ramp, an FWC officer, a certified drug recognition expert, observed a scene that caught the attention of several onlookers: an individual struggling to walk through the parking lot, even bumping into a parked car.
While performing a welfare check, the officer discerned that the individual was under the influence of a controlled substance. Following permission to search, the officer found the person in possession of a controlled substance.
The Sebastian Police Department was called in for assistance and subsequently charged the individual with possession of a controlled substance and disorderly intoxication.
Sebastian Inlet
While two FWC officers were on water patrol, they responded to a call regarding an individual keeping and filleting an undersized snook. When the officers arrived on scene, they witnessed a subject walking back to their camp holding a container of fillets.
An officer contacted the subject, who stated he had no fish. Once it was disclosed that another officer had seen him with fish fillets, the subject led the officer to where the fillets were being stored. In the container, the officer discovered an undersized snook and an undersized mutton snapper.
The subject was cited accordingly.
Christianson’s Landing Boat Ramp in Grant
While on duty at the Christianson’s Landing Boat Ramp, an FWC officer witnessed a near-collision, with one vessel almost hitting the rear of another at the dock in Grant. The officer interacted with the vessel’s operator, noticing several signs of impairment.
After administering standardized field sobriety tests, the officer concluded that the operator was under the influence. The operator was subsequently arrested and provided a breath sample that exceeded the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration.
The individual was then taken to the Brevard County Jail and charged with operating a boat under the influence.
