Reminder for the week: Have a safe holiday weekend on Delaware waterways

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between June 18-24 made 3,198 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 37 citations. Officers responded to 52 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 June 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, Sgt. Chillas and K-9 River visited the Harrington Police Department’s Youth Academy and gave a K-9 demonstration.
• On June 22, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions with a Brandywine Creek State Park summer camp. The campers were then taken on a police boat ride in the C&D Canal.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Action

Incident of note:

• On June 20, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested an individual for one count each of leaving the scene of a property collision accident, fail to drive at speed appropriate for conditions, failure to have required insurance, operating a motor vehicle off of an established roadway on a state wildlife area, and three counts of possession of undersized blue crab. The arrest followed an investigation into a vehicle accident that occurred June 13, in the Assawoman Wildlife Area near Frankford. The individual was arraigned at the Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown and released on $450 unsecured bond and $200 secured bond pending a future court date.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (3), trespass to fish (1), possession of undersized blue crab (3), over the limit recreational crab pots (1), possession of tautog during a closed season (1), and possession of undersized summer flounder (2).

Boating and Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (4), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), operating a personal watercraft without a life jacket (1), no throwable life preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (1), unregistered vessel (2), and failure to report a boating accident within 24 hours (1).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana (1), leaving the scene of a property collision accident (1), failure to drive at speed appropriate for conditions (1), and failure to have required insurance (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (9)*, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2), and destruction of state property (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?
With many boaters heading out on the water for the long 4th of July holiday weekend, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters that drinking and boating don’t mix – and that boat operators found to have blood alcohol levels of .08 or higher will face charges for operating a vessel under the influence as well as putting themselves, their passengers and other boaters at risk.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers will also be out on the water, increasing their presence for Operation Dry Water, an annual nationwide enforcement and education campaign aimed at preventing alcohol and drug-related boating accidents and fatalities. For more information on Operation Dry Water visit, this press release.

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 other vessels and keep a safe distance away.
• Avoid traveling at unsafe speeds, including congested areas.
• Make sure children 12 and younger are wearing life jackets while underway as required by law.
• Check navigation lights and make sure to turn them on when operating at night.

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, please visit Delaware Boating Safety.

To report boating violations please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24-hour dispatch line at: 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

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

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

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