FWC Law Enforcement Report

August 23, 2015

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending August 20 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Cushing was dispatched to a search and rescue late Saturday night in Perdido Bay.  It was reported that two inexperienced adults (Father and Son) launched a 17’ Hobie Cat from a vacant lot on the north side of Perdido Bay around 1700 and had not returned.  Officer Cushing drove his patrol boat approximately twenty miles to get to the area.  Within seconds of his patrol boat settling in the water Officer Cushing could hear persons yelling for help.  Officer Cushing moved toward the voices and found both subjects in good condition sitting on top of the capsized vessel in the middle of Perdido Bay, approximately 200 yards from where he began his search.

Officer Cushing was working in Bayou Texar in the early hours of Sunday morning.  He conducted a marine fisheries inspection at Bayou Texar Boat Ramp of a vessel returning from a fishing a trip.  When asked if the subject had any fish he stated that he had some “trout” and “red fish”.  Officer Cushing asked him how many he had and he stated that he had yesterdays and todays bag limit.  The subject was in possession of five red fish and one speckled trout.  He was issued a citation for being over the bag limit.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Barnard wrapped up an investigation regarding a boat that was dumped in the Yellow River.  The boat turned up just down river from a primitive boat launch near Log Lake Landing.  The registration numbers were removed, but Officer Barnard was able to determine them from the adhesive.  He located the last registered owner just a few miles away.  The owner had the trailer in his yard, but claimed that he gave the boat to a scrapper.  The man could not provide any valid contact information for the man, and witness accounts did not match his story.  The man removed the boat from the river, but claimed that the scrap man he gave the boat to must have dumped it.  However, all of the motor and stern drive, along with various other pieces of aluminum and stainless steel were still attached to the boat.  Officer Barnard obtained a warrant and the man was booked on the charge of littering.

This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.

Comments

2 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report”

  1. Scott on August 25th, 2015 10:25 am

    With state Red Snapper season coming soon is their any effort into keeping the commercial fishing fleet off the recreational inshore wreck and reefs, the commercial fleet cleans out these spots to save gas and time “why spend money on gas and waste time when they can catch their limit within 9 miles….

  2. barbara agerton on August 24th, 2015 2:31 pm

    After reading this I am impressed , officers face all kinds of different scenarios,with danger, I love them for keeping us safe, Wild Life safe and making the Law work, Thanks Officers.