Partnership announced to provide loaner life jackets to boaters

DOVER – With the 2019 summer season and ideal weather ahead, many boaters will soon be heading out on the water. DNREC’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Office of Boating Safety & Education encourages boaters to practice safe boating, not just during National Safe Boating Week from May 18-24 – but throughout the year.

Delaware, which consistently has one of the lowest boating accident rates in the country, had 36 reported boating accidents and two fatalities last year. This year, there have been two reported boating accidents to date and no related fatalities in the state.

Statistics support the vital role of wearing life jackets in keeping boaters safe. In 2017, the most recent year for which statistics are available, 76 percent of all boating-related fatalities nationwide were drowning victims, with 84.5 percent of those victims not wearing life jackets, according to the U.S. Coast Guard.

To further promote boaters to wear life jackets, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police will be kicking off a Life Jacket Loaner Program in partnership with Sea Tow Foundation, starting May 20. As an alternative to ending someone’s voyage on Delaware waterways when found to not have the required life jackets, officers will have loaner life jackets in sizes from Infant to Adult XL onboard their patrol vessels for the public to borrow and return.

“We’re excited to partner with the Sea Tow Foundation to make this Life Jacket Loaner Program available to boaters in our area,” said Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Chief Drew Aydelotte. “This will help ensure that boaters of all ages have proper-fitting life jackets, which will go a long way toward keeping people safe while they’re out enjoying the beautiful waterways of Delaware.”

For more information, including Delaware’s boating safety course schedule and the online Delaware Boating Handbook, click Delaware Boating Safety, or contact Boating Safety & Education Coordinator Sgt. Brooke Mitchell at 302-739-9913 or email brooke.mitchell@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: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-382-7167, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Vol. 49, No. 125

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Reminder for the week: Wearing life jackets saves lives in boating emergencies

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 April 29-May 5 made 2,584 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters, and the general public, issuing 40 citations. Officers responded to 63 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 April 30, 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 the Operation Game Theft trailer during the annual Delaware Army National Guard Earth Day Expo at the Joseph R. “Beau” Biden III National Guard/Reserve Center in New Castle.

• On May 4, 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 the Operation Game Theft trailer during the annual White Clay Creek Fest at White Clay Creek State Park near Newark.

• On May 4, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers provided security at the Grain H2O Orange Crush 5K held on the Michael N. Castle Trail on the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Delaware City.

• On May 5, 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 the Operation Game Theft trailer during the Tri-State Bird Rescue Open House in Newark.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

• On May 3, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Steven Robertson, 59, of New Castle, for one count each of driving under the influence and driving with a suspended or revoked license on the C&D Canal Conservation Area. Robertson was processed at Troop 9 in Odessa, where he was issued a summons for a mandatory appearance and released.

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

Fisheries Conservation: No Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (5), unlicensed fishing (4)*, and possession of undersized striped bass (1).

Boating & Boating Safety: No boating safety certificate (1)* and no boat registration card in possession (1)*.

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana – civil (8)*, passing a stopped school bus (1), and driving under the influence (1)*.

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (13)*, littering on a state wildlife area (1)*, driving with a suspended or revoked license (3), and operating a motor vehicle without proof of insurance (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 http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds spring boaters and anglers of the importance of carrying and wearing life jackets when boating on our waterways. In Delaware, life jackets are the law – and the law requires that owners/operators of recreational vessels carry one readily accessible life jacket for each person on board, and that children age 12 and younger wear a life jacket while a vessel is underway on Delaware waters. Life jackets are also required to be worn by all operators and passengers of personal watercraft, commonly known as jet skis.

Accidents on the water can happen much too fast to reach for and put on a stowed life jacket. Many lives have been saved by boaters who did the responsible thing and wore a life jacket. Browse real-life accounts of boaters who have been “Saved by the Jacket” here.

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including access to the online Delaware Boating Handbook, please click Delaware Boating Safety, or contact the Office of Boating Safety & Education at 302-739-9915.

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

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.

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Reminder for the week: Retaining striped bass during spawning season unlawful in specified Delaware waters

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 April 15-21 made 2,569 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 23 citations. Officers responded to 55 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 Actions
Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:
Wildlife Conservation: License forgery or misrepresentation (1), trespass to hunt (2), unlicensed hunting (1), and wild turkey violation – illegal take of beardless bird (1).
Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (2), over-the-limit crab pots (1), possession of undersized white perch (1), possession of undersized largemouth bass (1), no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (4), and trespassing to fish (1).
Boating & Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1) and operating a motor vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2).
Public Safety: Possession of drug paraphernalia (2).
Other: Littering (1), damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*, and operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (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 http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers that during Delaware’s striped bass spawning season, which began April 1 and continues through midnight on May 31, it is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C&D Canal, or the C&D Canal or its tributaries. Anglers are required to practice catch and release fishing during this season with no harvest allowed in these areas.

In addition, regulations require anglers fishing with natural bait on any striped bass spawning ground during the closed spawning season to use a non-offset circle hook. The Division of Fish & Wildlife recommends that circle hooks always be used when fishing natural baits because of their proven ability to reduce hook-and-release mortality for striped bass and other fish species. The circle hook’s design usually results in fish being hooked in the mouth, simplifying hook removal and reducing injury to the released fish.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, click on 2019 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and from license agents throughout the state.

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.

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Reminder for the week: Persons prohibited from possessing deadly weapons

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 Oct. 8-14 made 1,682 contacts with hunters, anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing five citations. Officers responded to 87 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 Oct. 13, 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 the Operation Game Theft trailer during an event at Cabela’s near Christiana.
• On Oct. 14, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions at a Hunter Education Class in the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Facility.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On Oct. 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers investigated a minor property damage vessel accident involving a sailboat striking the Reedy Point Jetty in the Delaware River near Port Penn.
• On Oct. 12-13, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers responded to a report of an overdue kite surfer in the Delaware River near Augustine Beach. A search with multiple agencies did not find the individual. However, the next morning a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer responding to a suspicious person report at the Augustine Wildlife Area determined the individual to be the overdue kite surfer.

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

Public Safety: Possession of a firearm by a person prohibited (1), possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (2)*, and public intoxication (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (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 de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?

Delaware law prohibits persons with certain prior convictions, including felonies, from owning or possessing any type of deadly weapon. Deadly weapons include all firearms and ammunition, as well as any type of bow – compound, recurve or crossbow. Penalties for violations range from probation and fines to jail sentences.

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

Reminder for the week: Sign up to take Delaware’s new, interactive boating safety course

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 July 16-22 made 2,989 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 32 citations. Officers responded to 63 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 July 17-21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers held their Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Advanced Youth Academy at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Building near New Castle. Eleven kids, ages 12-15, participated and received their turkey hunter education course certificates.
• On July 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers provided a K-9 demonstration with K-9 Rosco for campers at Camp Barnes near Frankford.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Action

Incident of note:

• On July 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Samual R. Ellers Sr., 63, of Harrington, with one count each of: operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area, damaging state property on a wildlife area, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area, and dumping on a state wildlife area at the Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area near Felton. Ellers was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7, where his case was transferred to the Court of Common Pleas and was released on his own recognizance.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: No F.I.N. (6), possession of undersized blue crab (2), crab pot tampering (1), use of crab pots without required turtle excluder (1), and possession of undersized summer flounder (4).

Boating and Boating Safety: Failure to observe slow no wake (1), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), negligent operation of a vessel (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), and no boating safety certificate (1).

Public Safety: Possession of drug paraphernalia (1) and target shooting on a state forest (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2)*, damaging state property on a wildlife area (1), and dumping on a state wildlife area (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 de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?

Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Office of Boating Safety & Education has made Delaware the “first state” to approve and launch a new, interactive boating safety course. For years, Delaware has been offering online courses in addition to the instructor-led classes, but the technology upgrade brings a variety of educational methods to the online course with a more interactive and gamified approach. The Office of Boating Safety & Education hopes that the gamified, interactive course will appeal to a large portion of students, and will further aid in the retention of the key safety information.

The interactive boating safety course was developed in partnership with Kalkomey. More information, and to sign-up for the interactive boating safety course, is available on the Boating Safety web page.

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