For a safer Memorial Day holiday weekend, don’t drink and boat on Delaware waterways

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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between May 15-21 made 2,244 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 187 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks, issuing 86 citations. Officers responded to 72 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community
• On May 19, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers hosted a press event to kick off the 2017 National Safe Boating Week, at the Lewes Boat Ramp. The event was attended by members of the USCG, USCG Auxiliary, DNREC’s Deputy Secretary Kara Coats, State Senator Ernie Lopez and State Representative Harvey Kenton.
Previous news release: DNREC kicks off National Safe Boating Week May 20-26 in Lewes

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:
• On May 15, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a water rescue for a person injured in a sailboat accident, near Augustine Beach. The accident is under investigation.

• On May 17, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Jason Watson, 39, of Ellendale for twenty-eight counts of failure to properly display commercial crab pot license number on floats on the Delaware Bay, near Cedar Creek. Watson was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 where he transferred his case to the Court of Common Pleas. He was released on $1,400 unsecured bond.

• On May 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Delroy Gooden, 41, of Frederica for disregarding a police officer signal, reckless driving, aggressive driving, three counts of failure when moving right, left or turning to signal continuously, following a motor vehicle too closely, failed to remain within a single lane and three counts of improper lane change as a result of a pursuit on Route 1, near Route 9 exit in Dover. Gooden was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7 where he transferred his case to the Court of Common Pleas. He was released on a $1,400 unsecured bond.

• On May 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited two individuals for one count each of possession of undersized blue crabs from Roy’s Creek of the Big Assawoman Bay. Arthur E. Sieber, 54, and Ronald T. Cagle, 73, both of Selbyville were fined a total of $214, including court costs and released.

• On May 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers began investigating a boating incident that occurred at Swan Keys off of Little Assawoman Bay, near Selbyville that resulted in a fatality. The accident is under investigation.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (8)*, possession of undersized striped bass (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (13), crab pot tampering (1), and over the limit crab pots (1). Commercial: Failure to properly display commercial crab pot license number on floats (28).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), no ramp certificate (1), no boating safety certificate (1), and allow use of a non-compliant vessel (1).

Public Safety Charges: Disregarding a police officer signal (1), reckless driving (1), aggressive driving (1), failure when moving right, left or turning to signal continuously (3), following a motor vehicle too closely (1), failed to remain within a single lane (1), improper lane change (3), driving with a suspended or revoked license (1)*, failure to reinstate license (1)*, operating a motor vehicle without insurance (1)*, possession of drug paraphernalia (1), and park in a no stopping, standing, parking zone (2).

Other: Unlawful to discharge firearm other than to lawfully hunt (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6)*, unlawful to deface or damage land feature (1), littering on a wildlife area (1), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2)*, and possession of marijuana (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

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.

Are you AWARE?
During Memorial Day holiday weekend, Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters that drinking and boating don’t mix – and that boat operators with blood alcohol levels of .08 or higher risk facing charges for operating under the influence (OUI), as well as putting themselves, their passengers and other boaters in Delaware waters at risk.

“Just like driving a road vehicle, operating a boat with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher is in violation of Delaware and federal laws,” said Lt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, noting that marine patrols are increased over the holiday weekend to ensure safe boating and public safety. “Boat operators found at or above the legal limit will find their voyage terminated, will be arrested and may have their vessel impounded. Boat operators under the influence also can face fines and potential jail time.”

According to national statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol use is a leading contributing factor to fatal boating accidents. Nationally in 2015, 306 accidents involved alcohol use and resulted in 122 deaths and 258 injuries.

“Drinking while boating is a choice. The best way to minimize the risk of an accident is to make the wiser choice – don’t drink and boat,” said Lt. McDerby. “Environmental stressors aboard a boat – such as constant motion, heat, sun glare and dehydration – all enhance the effects of any amount of alcohol. Because of this, we strongly recommend that boat operators not consume alcohol, and we encourage having a non-drinking designated boat operator.”

Other tips for recreational boaters to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend include:
• Exercise patience and courtesy at crowded boat ramps and docks.
• Observe all “Slow No Wake” areas.
• Maintain a lookout for and keep a safe distance from other vessels.
• Avoid traveling at unsafe speeds.
• Keep your speed down and use extra caution in congested areas.
• Make sure children 12 and younger are wearing life jackets while underway as required by law.
• Wear your life jacket and encourage all your passengers 13 and older to wear them also.
• Check navigation lights and make sure to turn them on when operating at night.
• Carry your Boating Education Card and all required safety equipment appropriate for your size vessel.
• Canoes, kayaks and paddle boards are considered vessels, and passengers are required to have a life jacket on board and carry a whistle or other sound-producing device. If out after sunset, a flashlight is also required.

For access to the online Delaware Boating Handbook and other safe boating information, please click Delaware Boating Safety, or contact Delaware Boating Safety Coordinator Lt. John McDerby at 302-739-9913 or email john.mcderby@delaware.gov.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, www.facebook.com/pages/Delaware-Fish-Wildlife-Natural-Resources-Police.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Media contact: Lt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386.

-30-

Print