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.
Patrol, Protect, Preserve
NORTHWEST REGION
BAY COUNTY
Lieutenant Keen and Officer Palmer responded to the Bailey Bridge regarding a person who had jumped off the bridge and was refusing to get into a rescue boat from the local fire department. After Lieutenant Keen and Officer Palmer arrived, the subject agreed to get into the FWC vessel, but changed his mind once alongside the patrol vessel. The officers and two members of the fire department then grabbed and lifted the subject onto the vessel where he was secured and turned over to a local police officer waiting at a nearby boat ramp.
Officers Palmer and Price were working pompano fishers along Bay County’s beaches when they checked a parasail/jet ski rental business in Mexico Beach. The officers had warned the business the previous year concerning liability insurance. The business did not have the required insurance and was cited for the violation.
Investigator Lee and Officer Lipford responded to a capsized vessel just off a sand bar west of the Mexico Beach Canal and a large monofilament gill net was found washed up nearby. The vessel was towed to a nearby boat ramp where the officers determined the vessel’s engine was stolen. The registered owner was called, but only his fiancé was available to speak to the officers. She said the motor was purchased from Craigslist and they had a bill of sale. The boat, motor, trailer and net were seized pending further investigation.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officer Hutchinson and Investigator Brown were patrolling the Escambia River Wildlife Management Area when they observed three kayakers paddling in a lake along the river. They made contact with the kayakers and discovered that none of them had PFDs and one of them had been fishing without a license. A records check revealed an outstanding warrant on one of the kayakers. After placing him in custody, the officers found the subject to be in possession of marijuana. He was charged for possession of cannabis and transported to the Escambia County Jail on the warrant.
Officers and investigators responded to a single vessel accident where the vessel struck the pilings of the eastbound span of the I-10 Bridge and immediately sank. The operator spent the next 12 hours atop the cobia tower before another fisherman spotted the man and called 911. The man was taken by air-ambulance to Sacred Heart Hospital and immediately taken into surgery. The man is in critical condition. Investigator Hughes is conducting the investigation.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officers Pifer and Corbin were conducting routine water patrol when they observed a vessel under the Marler Bridge in Destin displaying a dive flag. As the officers approached the vessel, a diver surfaced and was in possession of a spear gun and several fish. Shortly after, another diver surfaced and was in possession of a spear gun and several fish. Officer Corbin instructed the divers to board their vessel and to place all fish inside the vessel for inspection. While conducting their inspection, the officers determined that one of the divers had thrown his fish back into the water because he thought a couple may have been too small. Both divers were cited for spearfishing within 100 yards of a bridge where fishing is legally permitted and one was cited for interfering with an FWC officer. Later in the week while conducting boating safety and fisheries inspection in the Destin Pass, they stopped a vessel returning from the Gulf. Their fisheries inspection revealed one undersized greater amberjack onboard the vessel. The captain of the vessel was cited for the violation.
Officers Molnar, Pifer and Corbin responded to a complaint regarding a sailboat that drifted into a private dock. Upon the officers’ arrival, the owner of the vessel was on scene along with another individual. A records check on one of the subjects revealed an active arrest warrant out of Alabama for larceny. The subject was arrested and booked into the Okaloosa County Jail.
Over the last week, Officers Pifer, Corbin and Molnar have individually investigated four separate cases and cited an individual in each case for failure to transfer vessel title within 30 days of change in ownership.
Lieutenant Suggs and Officer Maltais responded to a boating accident in Destin involving three personal watercraft and a pontoon boat. All the vessels involved were rentals. An investigation into the livery revealed multiple violations. After consulting with the State Attorney’s Office, Officer Maltais issued a total of seven misdemeanor charges to the livery. The charges were for not verifying boating safety certification compliance with the operators, insufficient demonstration and safety briefing, and insufficient boating safety certification for livery staff.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
The Fin Cat crew was on patrol in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico south of Pensacola. The crew initiated a boarding on a recreational vessel with three persons onboard who were actively fishing. Prior to boarding, the subjects were asked if they “had any luck.” One of them responded that they just got there. He was then asked if they had any fish onboard. He reiterated that they just got there and only had bait. During their inspection, the boarding team discovered eight undersized red snapper, a red snapper fillet, and six undersized greater amberjack, the largest measuring 24 inches in length. All three subjects were issued federal citations.
Officer Lewis was on patrol in Blackwater River State Forest when he observed a man and woman camping. Officer Lewis observed the man in possession of a pistol. The couple was also in possession of alcoholic beverages which are prohibited in the area they were in. A records check revealed that the man had a domestic violence injunction against him and could not possess a firearm. The firearm was seized and the man was arrested for possession of a firearm while currently a subject of a protection order.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
This past weekend, Officers Manning and Webb participated in the first annual Lionfish Removal Festival in Pensacola. FWC sponsored the event to promote awareness of lionfish. Over the two day event, several hundred people participated. The officers handed out relevant pamphlets and answered questions.
NORTHEAST REGION
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Investigator Crews encountered a vessel at a remote boat ramp in Ormond Beach. While performing a boating safety and marine resource inspection, Crews smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage and detected signs of impairment from the operator. The operator agreed to perform field sobriety exercises. Based on the results of the exercises, the operator was arrested for boating under the influence and transported to the Volusia County Jail. He refused to provide a breath sample.
While Officer Ransom was launching his patrol vessel at a St. John’s River ramp, he encountered a vessel coming into the ramp. During a boating safety inspection, he observed visible signs of impairment from the operator. Ransom noticed several open alcohol containers in the boat and smelled a strong odor of alcoholic beverage on the operators’ breath. The operator refused to perform any field sobriety exercises. He was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and transported to the Volusia County Jail. The operator refused to provide a breath sample.
Officers McDonough, Meurlot and West responded offshore Ponce Inlet in the 40 foot patrol vessel in response to a report of a man overboard and missing from a 30 foot recreational fishing vessel 25 miles east of the inlet. United States Coast Guard personnel from Station Ponce Inlet responded in two 45 foot patrol vessels and requested support from their helicopter. The original report was that the adult male was seated at the rear of the vessel and while the vessel was underway and inbound, the other passengers realized he was no longer in the vessel and did not know when he went missing. The sea conditions were 3-5 foot waves. This was at approximately 4:30pm. All vessels searched until dark. The FWC patrol vessel and one USCG vessel escorted the fishing vessel to USCG Station Ponce. At approximately 10:30pm, the remaining USCG vessel searching heard the adult male screaming for help and was able to get him safely aboard after he had tread water without a life jacket for approximately 6 hours. FWC Investigator Eric Crews is investigating this boating accident.
BREVARD COUNTY
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Investigator Wayne along with Officers Salberg and Krynicki participated in the American Police Hall of Fame Law Enforcement Memorial Service in Titusville. This memorial service is the second largest memorial service in the United States and was attended by over 400 family survivors from across the country. The service was attended by many different law enforcement agencies and command staffs from throughout the United States and was an incredible tribute and remembrance to all of those killed in the line of duty.
Officer Boyer was on water patrol in the Indian River when he observed an individual operating a Jet Ski on plane and at a high rate of speed in a Manatee zone. When Officer Boyer conducted a vessel stop, he recognized the operator as an individual he had previously written a citation for the same offense a few weeks prior. Officer Boyer again cited the individual for violating the manatee zone. When asked to sign the citation, the operator refused. Officer Boyer informed the individual that if he did not sign the citation, the operator would be arrested. The operator refused to sign the citation and was physically arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail for refusal to sign a Uniform Boating Citation.
OSCEOLA COUNTY
Near the end of turkey season Investigator Trusley received a complaint about a bunch of house hold trash that had been dumped in Prairie Lakes Wildlife Management Area. Investigator Trusley located the trash pile and collected information that had identifying information on it, and photographed the garbage. On May 12, 2015 after researching the information and locating a current address, Investigator Trusley along with Officer Conlin made contact with the subjects and interviewed them at their residence. Their investigation revealed that the subjects had illegally dumped the garbage in the management area. Charges were direct filed with the Osceola County States Attorney’s office.
NORTH CENTRAL REGION
CITRUS COUNTY
FWC Citrus County Officers/Fincat crew were conducting offshore patrols in Citrus County when the patrol vessel approached a vessel at anchor and they observed the occupants throwing two fish overboard. The fish were recovered and found to be two undersized red grouper. The occupants received a citation for possession/harvest of red grouper under 20 inches.
During the boarding of a vessel with divers in the water, the Fincat crew discovered that a snook had been harvested during the closed season. One of the spear fishermen stated he speared the snook not knowing if it was legal or not. After the snook was placed on the vessel there was a discussion concerning the legality of the harvest. The vessel occupants decided to keep the snook after the discussion ended.
Citrus County officers received a complaint from dispatch concerning underage drinking taking place at a local water hangout. Two boat crews responded and apprehended two boys, a 14 and 17 year old. The boys first lied about the large amount of beer and liquor on the vessel but later acknowledged that the boat was theirs as well as the alcohol. The two brothers were detained and later released to their guardians. The case will be forwarded to the Juvenile Court in Citrus County.
COLUMBIA COUNTY
Officer Carey responded to a reported theft at the north entrance to Ichetucknee State Park. Upon arrival it was learned that two backpacks containing IPads, IPods, other electronic gear and assorted clothes were stolen from park guests. After a short time, Columbia County deputies located a suspect matching a description of a person riding a bicycle near the park guests. Columbia County deputies obtained a statement from the suspect, who, after waiving Miranda warnings, admitted to the thefts. The suspect showed the deputies where he disposed of the stolen items. Due to the high cost of the items, the suspect was arrested by Officer Carey and charged with grand theft. He was then transported to the Columbia County Jail for processing. All of the stolen items were returned to the rightful owners.
DUVAL COUNTY
Officers Sweat and Allgood were on patrol at Pope Duval Fish Management Area (FMA) in Duval County when at approximately 8:00 p.m., they observed a vehicle pass their location at a high rate of speed and noticed that the driver was not wearing a seatbelt. A few minutes later, the same vehicle passed them again at a high rate of speed and the driver was still not wearing a seatbelt. Officer Sweat conducted a traffic stop on the vehicle on the main road off the FMA. As he approached, Officer Sweat smelled a very strong odor of an alcoholic beverage radiating from the driver’s area. He noticed his eyes were bloodshot and he had slurred speech. Officer Sweat requested the driver to exit his vehicle and noticed that the driver was using the door to steady himself. A quick records check of the driver revealed that he has numerous violations for driving on suspended licenses and he did not have a current driver’s license. Officer Sweat read the driver his Miranda Rights and he agreed to participate in the field sobriety tasks. During the field sobriety tasks, Officer Sweat noted that the driver had accumulated enough clues for him to be determined as intoxicated. Officer Sweat handcuffed the driver, frisked him and requested a transport. A Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office deputy arrived and transported the driver to the Duval County Jail. At the jail, the driver was again frisked and inside the toe of his boot were found a bag of cannabis two pipes and Oxycodone. The driver was charged with multiple violations to include DUI, possession of cannabis and paraphernalia, possession of a controlled substance without a prescription, driving on a suspended license and not wearing a seatbelt.
GILCHRIST COUNTY
Officers Wiggins and Allen were on water patrol on the Suwannee River when at approximately 5:00 p.m., the officers observed a vessel operating erratically. A boating safety inspection resulted in the officers noticing signs of impairment with the operator. Further investigations resulted in the operator being arrested and booked into jail for BUI.
NASSAU COUNTY
Environmental Investigator Holleman was notified of large pile of shingles and other roofing materials illegally dumped on property owned by a timber company in Nassau County. Soon thereafter, several other similar large piles of roofing debris were found in different locations in Nassau County. Investigators Holleman and Terrones determined that the piles were generated by a local roofing company whose owners blamed the illegal dumping on a disgruntled ex-employee. The suspect was located at the Duval County Jail where he was in custody on unrelated charges. He was interviewed and confessed to four different dumping (litter) violations. Arrest warrants were obtained for the suspect and others are pending.
Investigator Terrones arrested the owner of a flooring company for dumping without permission, flooring material, carpet and glue buckets in a roll off dumpster. The dumpster owner has incurred hundreds of dollars in expenses to empty the dumpster of materials not generated by him.
Investigator Holleman arrested the owner of a “Pickup Junk” business for disposing of waste materials in the same dumpster. Both suspects agreed to remove their materials from the roll off dumpster and properly dispose of it.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Several officers attended the annual Columbia County Public Safety Memorial Service held at the First Baptist Church in Lake City. Approximately 200 people attended the service which honored the memory of the fallen heroes in Columbia County.
Officer McGrath participated in the annual Kiwanis “Kids Day” held at the Rodeo grounds in Columbia County this past weekend. Officer McGrath brought his truck and boat, distributed boating safety handouts and answered general questions from the children. There were an estimated 1,000 people who attended the event throughout the day.
SOUTHWEST REGION
LEE COUNTY
Officers Thompson and Morrow were dispatched to the area of the Matanzas Pass Bridge to investigate the report of a boating accident involving a commercial fishing vessel. It was reported by US Coast Guard, who witnessed the incident; a 67 foot shrimp boat had struck the bridge with its starboard outrigger as the vessel was attempting to pass beneath through the fender system. There were no injuries reported and very minor damage to the vessel. The investigation is currently ongoing pending the outcome of an inspection of the bridge by DOT.
Officer Price put together a two-region detail targeting panther zone enforcement in Lee and Collier Counties. Several officers participated in the detail and worked panther enforcement near areas where there have been a couple of panther deaths due to vehicle accidents lately. During the detail, the officers stopped several vehicles that were traveling in excess of 20 miles per hour or more over the posted 45 mile per hour limit. One vehicle was stopped early in the detail and a warning was issued for exceeding the speed limit. The operator was educated on the panther zone and the reason for the reduced speed limits in the area. A few hours later, the same vehicle was stopped traveling in the opposite direction going over 20 miles per hour over the limit. There was also one mandatory court date issued for traveling more than 30 miles per hour over the limit.
Officers Thompson and Morrow were dispatched out into the Gulf of Mexico to assist the US Coast Guard with the report of a vessel taking on water, approximately 12 miles off shore from Redfish Pass. The vessel was quickly located finding all four passengers safely on board. The investigation revealed that seaweed had blocked open the scupper valves located on the back of the boat allowing water to enter into the bilge. The bilge pump eventually became clogged and could not keep up with pumping the water out and the boat was beginning to sink. The problem was corrected and for precautionary measures, the FWC officers followed the vessel back to a dock where it was secured.
Officers Fogle and Morrow were dispatched to the Caloosahatchee River near the Mid-Point Bridge to investigate the report of a vessel taking on water. It was reported that there were ten persons on board, two of which were children. The incident occurred during a severe thunder storm that was passing through the area. Lee County Sheriff’s Marine Unit was first on scene, followed by the US Coast Guard and FWC. FWC assisted the Coast Guard with dewatering the vessel, which was later towed into the Everest boat ramp by the Coast Guard. No injuries were reported and no damage to the vessel.
LEE COUNTY COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Officers Fogle and Morrow assisted with an outreach event over the weekend presented by the US Coast Guard, at the Fort Myers Beach station. The event was an open house providing the general public an opportunity to tour the station and meet with marine officers who answered questions regarding boating and fishing. In addition, the officers handed out educational materials on boating safety and fishing regulations. Also present were members from the Lee County Marine Task Force.
Officer Greg Stanley conducted a public speaking at St. Michael’s School in Fort Myers to thirty-seven 1st graders. Officer Stanley brought in an alligator, ball python, and bearded dragon with a discussion on native versus not native species. Other topics included the Eddie Eagle gun safety program and a lesson on learning to identify and measure fish. The outreach event was a huge success and the children loved it!
Officer Stuart Spoede participated in a local Charlotte County fishing radio show this past Friday. Officer Spoede performed a 15 minute radio segment speaking about boating safety and relevant tips to stay safe for the upcoming holiday weekend.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Officers Freemon and Smith were patrolling Alafia River in Hillsborough County. They were utilizing an unmarked vessel and they were in plain clothes. The officers were working a very heavily populated area of the river that is commonly known as an area where alcohol consumption normally occurs. They observed a female drinking on a vessel. A few hours later they observed that same female drinking again while she was operating a vessel and violating the restricted speed zone. The officers stopped the vessel for the speed zone violation and to conduct a vessel safety inspection. During the safety inspection, the Officers detected signs of impairment. Field sobriety tasks were administered and the subject was arrested for boating under the influence. The female was booked into Orient Road Jail without incident.
PASCO COUNTY
Officers Ahlers, Lehman, Martin, Investigators Rosas, Tsongranis and Lieutenant Parisoe responded to a boating accident that occurred on East Lake in Land O Lakes. This accident involved a personal watercraft (PWC) that was pulling a tube. The tube struck a dock causing serious injury to one of the occupants. The investigation continues, and is being conducted by Investigator Tsongranis.
Officer Beckman responded to a boating accident that occurred on Lake Padgett in Land O Lakes. This accident involved one vessel that overturned after striking another vessel’s wake. The vessel sustained severe damage and the operator was injured. This investigation is being completed by Officer Beckman.
SOUTH REGION A
BROWARD COUNTY
Officer Brock was on patrol in Lighthouse Point when he stopped a vessel for a boating safety inspection. With information gathered, he issued the operator of the vessel a citation for operation of a vessel in violation of .02 BUI and under 21 years of age. The vessel was driven away by an individual that had not consumed any alcoholic beverages.
Officer Vacin was on patrol in John Lloyd State Park when he observed smoke coming from a dumpster in one of the parking lots. The fire in the dumpster quickly ignited to a larger flame. Officer Vacin quickly used his fire extinguisher to extinguish the fire and stop the threat to vehicles in the area.
Investigator Corteguera responded to a market in southern Broward in response to a complaint of live turtles in conditions causing death. Officers Coke and Albert responded as well. Pursuant to a quality control inspection the market was issued several criminal citations which included: no valid Class III wildlife license, temporary caging not allowing movement of animals and maintaining wildlife in an unsafe condition. Two dead soft-shell turtles were seized as evidence
Officer Vacin was on patrol at the 15th Street boat ramp in Ft. Lauderdale. He observed a vessel that had just returned from fishing at the dock. He conducted a marine fisheries inspection. With information gathered from the inspection, one individual was given a criminal notice to appear for possession of undersized mutton snapper and possession of undersized grey triggerfish. A dead mutton snapper and 12 dead triggerfish were seized as evidence.
HENDRY COUNTY
Officer McLendon responded to a complaint of an alligator in the driveway of an RV/Mobile Home Park in southern Hendry County. Upon the officer’s arrival, numerous residents and their children were gathered dangerously close to a 10.5 foot alligator. The residents were taking pictures and video of the alligator while it would raise its’ back and bellow in an aggressive manner directed towards the surrounding crowd. A secure perimeter was established around the alligator and the residents were informed by the officer of the dangers associated with the situation. Due to the large size of the alligator, the assistance of a state licensed trapper and their equipment were required. Upon the trapper’s arrival, Officer McLendon and the licensed trapper were able to safely remove the 10.5 foot alligator from the residential neighborhood without any injury or damage.
Officer Taylor was on water patrol in Hendry County on the Caloosahatchee River. Officer Taylor was conducting a boating safety inspection on a vessel when he began to smell the odor of marijuana emanating from it. Officer Taylor asked the subject onboard about the smell and the subject subsequently produced a bag of marijuana from the console area. Officer Taylor then arrested the subject for possession of marijuana and booked them into the Hendry County Jail.
MARTIN COUNTY
Officers Willems and Aswall were on water patrol when they were waved down by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel to assist in a vessel stop with a known felon onboard. Once alongside Officer Willems observed fishing gear on the stopped vessel and proceeded with a fisheries inspection. Upon inspecting the vessel’s cooler a lane snapper, mutton snapper, and two sheepshead were found; all of which were undersized. The operator admitted to catching all of the fish. Officer Willems issued the operator a criminal notice to appear for the undersized fish, and a warning for not having his registration onboard.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICING
Reserve Officer Stermen attended the 34th Annual Meeting of the Florida Agricultural Crimes Investigative Unit in Sarasota and taught a two hour block of instruction on Alligator Handling. The class included a demonstration of capture techniques using a live six foot alligator. There were fifty-four Deputy Sheriff's and FWC Law Enforcement Members in attendance. The Deputies in this organization can usually be found handling crimes which occur in the rural areas of their Counties and are very likely to encounter alligators in their work environment.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
Officer Nasworth was on foot patrol in the area of the Lake Harbor structure. Officer Nasworth observed a subject actively fishing with rod and reel on the bank. Officer Nasworth made contact with the subject to conduct a freshwater fisheries inspection and discovered the subject to be in possession of four black crappie less than 10 inches and three black bass less than 18 inches. Officer Nasworth provided the subject with a citation for the violations along with a court date. Officer Nasworth seized the fish and placed them into evidence at the Fisheating Creek compound.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLCING
Officer McLendon participated in a public outreach event at a local school in recognition of National Police Appreciation Week. Issues involving public safety and the safest way to react in those situations were discussed with the students. Also addressed, were the possible dangers associated with wildlife and the types of animals that require additional caution like alligators and the numerous species of snakes which inhabit the state. Officer McLendon demonstrated how to safely capture an animal with the help of a catch pole, and informed the children about the various pieces of equipment situated throughout his FWC patrol vehicle and how they helped in his daily tasks. He also explained the important role FWC officers play in both public safety and the preservation of Florida’s natural resources
ST. LUCIE COUNTY
Officers James Payne and Jon Fretwell were called directly by the Ft. Pierce Police Department reference a swimmer in distress in the ICW in Ft. Pierce. The officers quickly got on a vessel and responded to the area just south of the Fort Pierce South Bridge. When they arrived they observed a vessel a drift outside the channel with no one on board. After a brief search a person was located in the channel swimming. As the officers pulled near the swimmer, the person stated he couldn’t swim anymore due to fatigue. Officer Fretwell threw a life ring to the swimmer and pulled him aboard the patrol vessel. It was later determined that the vessel had pulled anchor and started to drift away from a small island that a family was on. The swimmer decided to swim out to retrieve the vessel. The swimmer could not catch up to the drifting vessel due to existing current and wind conditions and became exhausted.
Officer Fretwell responded to a subject in distress floating in the water and a nearby unmanned canoe in the ICW. Upon his arrival, he observed a Good Samaritan assisting an individual in the water. The wind and sea conditions were not favorable for small craft operations. The man in the water was retrieved from the water by the Good Samaritan. The subject’s vessel was partially submerged. Officer Fretwell then retrieved the individual from the Good Samaritan and assisted the subject in moving his vessel to a nearby spoil island, where it was bailed out and refloated. The individual was then taken to a nearby boat ramp, with the canoe in tow, to remove his vessel.
SOUTH REGION B
COLLIER COUNTY
Officers Despair, Harris, Miller and Reith and Lieutenant Shea attended a Boating Safety Week event held at Rose Marina in Marco Island aboard the Offshore Patrol Vessel, CT Randall. The event was organized to promote the wearing of personal floatation devices (life jackets). Also, Officer White participated by being in our new 850 Impact patrol boat. Over 90 people were in attendance and were all wearing life jackets to try and break a record for the greatest number of people wearing life jackets at the same time. Officers also answered questions from the public.
Investigator Van Trees coordinated an operational detail focusing on boating safety on airboat tour companies. Investigator Van Trees hand delivered boating safety literature to the managers at all airboat tour companies approximately 1 month prior to the inspections and followed up with FWC Officers conducting random boating safety inspections. In all, the detail was a great success as a higher level of compliance was observed at the completion of the detail.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
Officers Pino and Pasta responded to a call where a concerned citizen was reporting that a heron was being kept in a cage without the access to food or water. When the officers arrived they contacted the homeowner who directed them to the cage where the bird was located. The bird was identified as a yellow-crown night heron, a highly protected migratory bird. The homeowner explained that they rescued the bird from a nearby tree after noticing that the bird was unable to fly and appeared to have an injured wing. The officers determined that there was no malice in the homeowner’s decision to capture the bird thus she was issued a verbal warning for being in possession of the bird. The bird was subsequently taken to the Museum of Science where it will be rehabilitated.
An officer was on water patrol at dusk and had just stopped one vessel for careless operation when he spotted an unoccupied personal watercraft in the distance. The officer immediately terminated his vessel stop and proceeded cautiously over to the PWC while looking for any signs of an operator. After a cursory search did not reveal anybody, he calculated the current tidal conditions (outgoing) and concentrated his search efforts east of the PWC. Shortly thereafter, the officer spotted the operator floating in his life jacket frantically waving his arms, approximately a quarter mile away from the PWC. He was able to pull the PWC operator safely aboard the patrol vessel. The operator was very much out of breath but otherwise uninjured. Coincidentally, the PWC operator had the exact first/last name as the officer. He stated to the officer that he had become disoriented while trying to find Matheson Hammock marina as dusk set in and while underway, a wave had knocked him from the PWC. Water current and wind conditions prevented the operator from swimming back to his PWC and then fatigue quickly set in. The officer returned the operator back to the PWC and then escorted him safely to the marina.
MONROE COUNTY
Officer Hein was on water patrol near Long Key when he stopped a vessel after watching the occupants dive for some time. The occupants had been collecting marine life and did not have a working constant circulating live well or aeration/oxygenation system on board. The operator of the vessel did not have any identification on the vessel and continuously gave Officer Hein incorrect information regarding his true identity. Officer Hein arrested the individual for the marine criminal violation. Officer McKay arrived on scene by land with a Rapid ID Fingerprint Reader to assist in the identification of the operator. Officer McKay was able to utilize the Rapid ID to positively identify the operator who had an outstanding warrant out of Monroe County. The operator was charged, in addition to the warrant, with giving a false name and not having a constant circulating live well or aeration/oxygenation system on board the vessel while collecting or transporting ornamental fish and/or marine organisms and was transported to the Marathon Detention Facility.
Officers Fell and Robb observed two subjects actively fishing under North Pine Channel Bridge in the Lower Keys and conducted a marine fisheries inspection. One of the subjects claimed he had a valid fishing license, but not in his possession. The officers conducted a records check through the FWC’s dispatch center, which revealed the subject in question did not have a fishing license. It was learned that the subject had an active warrant out of Escambia County. The subject was arrested. He also received a citation for not having a valid saltwater shoreline fishing license.
Officers Mattson and Trueblood were on water patrol in the upper Keys when they saw a vessel with an individual hanging both legs over the bow as the vessel was moving. They stopped the vessel and conducted a safety inspection as well as a fisheries inspection which resulted in the officers finding 3 undersized dolphin. The captain of the vessel was cited accordingly.
Officers Trueblood and Mattson were on patrol and stopped a vessel with a subject bow riding on the front. The vessel was a rental boat out of Islamorada. A boating safety inspection revealed that the fire extinguisher was empty. The officers, along with the rental boat returned to the rental company where the man who rented out the vessel was cited for renting out a vessel with deficient safety equipment.
Officers Adams and Piekenbrock conducted a boating safety and marine fisheries inspection on a recreational vessel in Key West Harbor. During their inspection, they saw multiple fishing poles on board the vessel. The officers asked the captain of the vessel if they had any fish on board at which point the captain showed the officers their catch which included several dolphin and 2 snowy grouper. The captain and passenger were within their legal limit of 1 snowy grouper per person per day. Before completing their inspection, the officers searched a cooler under the center console seat and discovered another snowy grouper. The captain of the vessel was issued a citation for being over the daily bag limit of snowy grouper.
Officers Adams and Piekenbrock were patrolling the Key West harbor at night when they saw a dingy operating without running lights. A records check of the operator revealed that he had an open warrant for a marijuana charge out of Monroe County. Also, the operator demonstrated signs of impairment prompting the officers to perform field sobriety tests. The operator failed the tests and as such was arrested for boating under the influence. During the subsequent search the officers discovered the operator was in possession of marijuana. The subject was transported to the Stock Island Jail for processing.
Officer Dion concluded a lengthy investigation into the abandonment of 4 vessels in the waters off of Key West. As a direct result of the investigation one subject was arrested after allowing the vessels in question to fall into disrepair.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: FWC Division of Law Enforcement weekly report