FWC cracks down on boating safety in Pensacola Bay ahead of Memorial Day Weekend
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG) — As boaters enjoy a day on the water, officers are keeping an eye out for their safety.
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'We'll be out on the water making sure everyone is having a safe time as well as a fun time,' Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Public Information Officer Christopher Boley said.
FWC officers took News 5's Alexa Daly out on Pensacola Bay for National Safe Boating Week.
'So what we'll look for is obviously any violations that have to do with unsafe operation of a vessel,' Boley said.
To ensure vessel safety, FWC is emphasizing the importance of having the proper safety gear on board including life jackets, a type IV throwable, a fire extinguisher and a horn or a whistle.
'Emergencies happen fast,' Boley said. 'They're chaotic; they're hectic and having all that safety equipment easily accessible and ready to use truly can save lives and will save you precious seconds during an emergency.'
FWC officials are urging boaters to maintain situational awareness on the water and take a boater safety education course.
In over half of 2024's fatal boating accidents, the vessel operator did not have formal boater education, according to the FWC.
'All these regulations truly do save lives and are all for your own safety,' Boley said.
Knowing the rules of the water can help boaters avoid getting tickets, and even more importantly, it can save lives.
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'There are things that are criminal in nature. Boating under the influence, careless and reckless operation of a vessel, or if you cause a boating accident that leads to injury due to boating under the influence, those can be criminal charges as well,' Boley said.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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