FWC Law Enforcement Report

May 23, 2019

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekly period ending May 9 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officer Long responded to a single vessel accident that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico near the Alabama line. The vessel was found beached with the operator being the only occupant on board. The vessel sustained major damage to the engines and other electrical equipment due to water intrusion after being beached. The operator admitted consuming several alcoholic drinks which caused him to fall asleep. While Officer Long spoke to him, he noticed several signs of impairment. The operator agreed to perform field sobriety exercises, which confirmed he was impaired. Officer Long placed the operator under arrest and transported him to the Escambia County Jail for booking. The operator agreed to give a breath sample which showed his breath alcohol level was .253 G/210L blood alcohol content, which is over three times the legal limit. The operator was also found at fault with the accident and was cited for a navigation rule violation.

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

Officer Hoomes responded to assist a Santa Rosa County deputy who was investigating a suspicious person in Navarre who was in possession of an undersized redfish. Officer Hoomes arrived and determined the redfish was less than 18 inches in total length. The subject had cut the fish up and was using the redfish for bait. The subject was issued a citation for possession of an undersized redfish and issued warnings for failure to land a redfish in whole condition and no saltwater fishing license.

FEDERAL WATERS

While on patrol in the offshore patrol vessel “Vigilance,” Officers P. Rockwell and Matechik boarded a recreational vessel approximately 15 miles south of Pensacola. While approaching the vessel to conduct a fisheries inspection, the vessel operator saw the officers’ approach and quickly attempted to leave the area at a high rate of speed. The Vigilance quickly caught up to the vessel and stopped it. During the fisheries inspection, the officers found the occupants in possession of several undersized gray triggerfish. The violations were addressed, and appropriate action was taken.

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.

NorthEscambia.com photo.

Comments

4 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report”

  1. Whisperjet on May 24th, 2019 6:40 am

    ..just glad he did not hurt any safe boaters..and if you have any brain matter , you don’t never go out in a boat without plenty of drinking water…and a little common sence..

  2. Esc co leo on May 23rd, 2019 2:13 pm

    @ jus saying

    No different than getting a DUI after a car crash.

  3. Lars on May 23rd, 2019 12:25 pm

    @just sayin, he got arrested because he admitted drinking while boating and crashing it on the beach. If he had said he had no idea how the boat got there and there were no witnesses, he probably could have walked away.

  4. just sayin on May 23rd, 2019 9:45 am

    How can you get arrested for dui with a boat broke down on the beach? Don’t you have to be able to operate the boat in order to be boating under the influence. Besides the booze was drank in a survival situation to stay hydrated. Not the same as water but if that’s all he had. And I would have not had not one drink prior to breaking down.