CCSO releases stats from Memorial Day boating safety enforcement
Still photo from CCSO boating video.
Citrus County, Florida - During Memorial Day weekend, Saturday, May 27, through Monday, May 29, 2023, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office (CCSO) Marine Unit worked with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on local waterways in a boating safety enforcement initiative.
Florida is currently the state that leads the nation, not only in the number of registered vessels, but also in the number of boating accidents. In 2021, Florida had 1,013,211 registered vessels, with 751 accidents and 61 deaths, compared to other states, like Georgia, which had 6,323 registered vessels, with 91 accidents and 17 deaths.
It's imperative to follow safe boating habits, not just because it's the law, but to keep you and your family safe while out on the water. Don't become another number in these statistics; taking simple precautions can easily prevent an accident or save your life.
In 2021, the United States had a total of 4,439 boating accidents, with Florida encompassing nearly 17% of that number.
The CCSO Marine Unit is consistently patrolling local waters, that include the Gulf of Mexico or one of our many magnificent rivers or lakes, and Memorial Day weekend is no exception. Over this three-day period, the CSSO issued 329 written warnings and citations, an increase of 8% from last year, when 304 written warnings or citations were issued. Officials also reported a slight rise in boating under the influence (BUI) arrests, with 7 BUI arrests this year, compared to 5 last year.
"Our Marine Unit patrols our Citrus County waterways with safety at the forefront, especially during popular boating holidays," said Citrus County Sheriff Mike Prendergast. "Although our marine deputies do everything possible to keep our waterways safe, they need your assistance in following boating laws. These laws are put in place for a reason, and it's not to ruin your fun - it's to save your life. I hope these numbers remind you of the significance of following the law while boating; it's still possible to have a great day out on the water while keeping safety in mind."
About the Citrus County Sheriff's Office's Marine Unit
The Marine Unit enforces marine laws and ordinances in order to maintain safe recreational boating throughout the 192 square miles of waterways in Citrus County. Marine deputies provide high-visibility patrol in waterways while promoting boating education and safety to the residents and tourists that visit Citrus County. Aside from routine patrol duties for manatee zones and safety violations, the Marine Unit is also tasked with responding to boaters in distress and searching for missing boaters. The Marine Unit actively works with the U.S. Coast Guard and other State and Federal agencies in the area to enforce these safe boating operations.
See a video here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2155526251308135&ref=sharing.