Reminder for the week: Know and use aids to navigation while boating

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’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between May 27–June 2 made 3,991 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 35 citations. Officers responded to 76 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A 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 29, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered questions regarding hunting, fishing and boating, and displayed a marine patrol vessel during career day at Lake Forest Elementary School in Felton.

On June 1, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers hosted the 33rd annual Youth Fishing Tournament attended by 165 children and their families who enjoyed a great day of fishing at three different ponds throughout the state. The tournament introduces its participants to the sport of fishing and teaches conservation through the practice of “Catch & Release.” For results of the tournament, visit 33rd Youth Fishing Tournament.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

On May 30, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a report of a sailboat striking a dredge line on the Delaware River south of the Delaware Memorial Bridge. The vessel operator, John Keegan, 72, of Lebanon, N.J., was cited for one count of inattentive operation of a motor vessel and released.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Shooting Canadian geese out of season (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Over-the-limit crab pots (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (2), crab pot tampering (1), trespass to fish (2), and unlicensed fishing (2). Commercial: Conch without a license (3).

Boating & Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (2), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (4), operating a personal watercraft without required life jackets (1), failure to observe slow no wake (1), negligent operation of a motor vessel (1)*, inattentive operation of a motor vessel (1), no boating safety certificate (1), and operating a vessel without a vessel registration card in possession (1).

Public Safety: Discharge a firearm within 100 yards of a dwelling (1) and clamming in a prohibited area (1).

Other: Operating motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2)*, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2), loitering (2), driving with a suspended or revoked license (1), inattentive driving (1), and improper passing on a roadway (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 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?

Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters to take time before getting underway to learn the aids to navigation and the waterways in which you will be traveling.

Aids to navigation is a system of buoys and markers that assist boaters in determining their position on the water and identify any potential dangers and waterway obstructions. Aids to navigation can be used to plot position and course on nautical charts, and also assist in choosing the preferred and safest route when out on the water.

To learn more about aids to navigation and safe boating, sign up to take a boater’s safety course by visiting our Boating Safety link.

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

Media Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913

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