Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Blotter: Jan. 11-17
Division of Fish and Wildlife | Date Posted: Friday, January 22, 2016
Division of Fish and Wildlife | Date Posted: Friday, January 22, 2016
Reminder for the week: Proper gear, precautions help protect winter boaters from cold weather hazards
DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Jan. 11-17 made 1,756 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 21 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 24 complaints and issued 16 citations. This week, with an expanded Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continuing to be deployed as a deterrent, no citations were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.
Items of note:
On Jan. 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Michael L. Obrien, 32, of Seaford, for one count each of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and hunting with a firearm during archery deer season on Nanticoke Wildlife Area. Obrien was video-arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach and released on $5,000 unsecured bond pending a preliminary hearing in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.
Citations issued this week by offense category included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:
Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4), hunting deer with a firearm during archery season (2), possession of unlawfully taken game (4), no federal duck stamp (2), and hunting migratory waterfowl before legal shooting hours (2).
Boating and Boating Safety: No boating safety certificate (1).
Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (1).
Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind the boating public to take precautions for winter weather and cold water, which puts those who hunt, fish or cruise our waterways at risk from hypothermia if they fall overboard.
“For those hardy outdoor enthusiasts who boat, fish and hunt in the winter, staying safe in the event of a boating mishap is all about choosing and using the right gear,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Falling overboard or getting excessively chilled or wet on deck can put you at risk for hypothermia, so dress and outfit yourself appropriately.”
Immersion in cold water can lead very quickly to hypothermia, in which the body instinctively protects its core by shutting down blood flow to limbs first. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends wearing layers for protection and warmth, including gloves and a hat. Recommended gear also includes three types of protective clothing to reduce risk: flotation coats, which double as life jackets but may not protect against hypothermia if the wearer falls into cold water; immersion or survival suits, which can increase survival time in cold water; or a dry suit to keep water out and, with thermal layers beneath, keep warmth in.
Other recommended safety items include:
Boat operators should also plan to spend a little extra time on vessel preparations and maintenance to help prevent breakdowns on the water, including checking fuel levels before heading out. “An equipment failure that would be a minor inconvenience in warmer weather could be life-threatening this time of year,” Sgt. McDerby said.
Sgt. McDerby also added these tips:
“Filing a float plan is always a good idea, because unforeseen circumstances can hit boaters in any season at any time, including a storm, engine problems, swamping and injuries or other health issues,” Sgt. McDerby said. “With your plans in a friend or family member’s hands, they can call for help if you’re overdue and tell searchers where to begin looking for you, saving precious time.”
For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including an easy-to-use float plan form, please visit Delaware Boating Safety on the Division of Fish & Wildlife website.
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.
Media Contacts: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902
Vol. 46, No. 17
Related Topics: F&W Enforcement, health and safety, law enforcement
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
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Division of Fish and Wildlife | Date Posted: Friday, January 22, 2016
Reminder for the week: Proper gear, precautions help protect winter boaters from cold weather hazards
DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Jan. 11-17 made 1,756 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 21 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 24 complaints and issued 16 citations. This week, with an expanded Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continuing to be deployed as a deterrent, no citations were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.
Items of note:
On Jan. 13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Michael L. Obrien, 32, of Seaford, for one count each of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and hunting with a firearm during archery deer season on Nanticoke Wildlife Area. Obrien was video-arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 2 in Rehoboth Beach and released on $5,000 unsecured bond pending a preliminary hearing in the Sussex County Court of Common Pleas.
Citations issued this week by offense category included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:
Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (4), hunting deer with a firearm during archery season (2), possession of unlawfully taken game (4), no federal duck stamp (2), and hunting migratory waterfowl before legal shooting hours (2).
Boating and Boating Safety: No boating safety certificate (1).
Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (1).
Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind the boating public to take precautions for winter weather and cold water, which puts those who hunt, fish or cruise our waterways at risk from hypothermia if they fall overboard.
“For those hardy outdoor enthusiasts who boat, fish and hunt in the winter, staying safe in the event of a boating mishap is all about choosing and using the right gear,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Falling overboard or getting excessively chilled or wet on deck can put you at risk for hypothermia, so dress and outfit yourself appropriately.”
Immersion in cold water can lead very quickly to hypothermia, in which the body instinctively protects its core by shutting down blood flow to limbs first. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends wearing layers for protection and warmth, including gloves and a hat. Recommended gear also includes three types of protective clothing to reduce risk: flotation coats, which double as life jackets but may not protect against hypothermia if the wearer falls into cold water; immersion or survival suits, which can increase survival time in cold water; or a dry suit to keep water out and, with thermal layers beneath, keep warmth in.
Other recommended safety items include:
Boat operators should also plan to spend a little extra time on vessel preparations and maintenance to help prevent breakdowns on the water, including checking fuel levels before heading out. “An equipment failure that would be a minor inconvenience in warmer weather could be life-threatening this time of year,” Sgt. McDerby said.
Sgt. McDerby also added these tips:
“Filing a float plan is always a good idea, because unforeseen circumstances can hit boaters in any season at any time, including a storm, engine problems, swamping and injuries or other health issues,” Sgt. McDerby said. “With your plans in a friend or family member’s hands, they can call for help if you’re overdue and tell searchers where to begin looking for you, saving precious time.”
For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including an easy-to-use float plan form, please visit Delaware Boating Safety on the Division of Fish & Wildlife website.
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.
Media Contacts: Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902
Vol. 46, No. 17
Related Topics: F&W Enforcement, health and safety, law enforcement
Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.
Here you can subscribe to future news updates.