FWC officers in Tampa receive additional equipment to help with boating under the influence investigations 

For immediate release:  June 20, 2019
Media contact: Melody Kilborn 863-648-3852 

Suggested Tweet: Officers with @MyFWC receive additional equipment in the SW Region to assist with BUI investigations https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/24c7482 #BoatSober #NeverBUI #SafeBoating 

FWC officers in Tampa receive additional equipment to help with boating under the influence investigations 

Boating under the influence is never a good idea. It puts the safety of you and your passengers in jeopardy as well as anyone else trying to enjoy the water that day.

Earlier this month, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers in the Southwest Region received a breath alcohol tester, an Intoxilyzer 8000, to help them with their boating safety efforts.

“This instrument will be a valuable asset to our area and expedite the process of BUI arrests,” said Capt. Bill Holcomb, area law enforcement supervisor. “We certainly appreciate the opportunity to provide our officers, who work hard every day to make our area a safer place to boat, with additional equipment to help keep boaters under the influence of alcohol off of the water.”

On June 7, FWC’s Boating and Waterways staff presented to local prosecutors in Tampa on boating under the influence laws and investigations. During this visit, the Intoxilyzer was brought to the Tampa area.

The valuable instrument will provide officers an increased capacity to efficiently document vessel operators who are under arrest for boating under the influence of alcohol.

In the FWC’s Southwest Region, there were 38 total boating accidents in 2018 that were alcohol or drug involved, with seven of those total accidents being fatal. During the same year, the FWC’s Southwest Region officers made 159 boating under the influence arrests.

“Alcohol- and drug-related boating accidents are preventable,” said Capt. Tom Shipp, of the FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section. “We want everyone to have a great time and stay safe on the water. Carelessly choosing to operate a boat while impaired is a decision that can result in a tragic ending to an otherwise wonderful day on the water.”

The FWC urges boaters to designate a sober operator before leaving the boat ramp. FWC officers and partner agencies will be on the lookout for impaired operators and boating under the influence can lead to arrest. Not only is it illegal, but it is dangerous to you, your passengers and other boaters.

For more information about boating safety, visit MyFWC.com/boating. 

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