Latest news with #ChristopherBoley
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
May 17-23: National Safe Boating Week
National Safe Boating Week is May 17-23, and it's making waves along Bay County's coast, as officials remind boaters to gear up for safety before heading out on the water. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials invited the News Herald on May 13 for a ride-along patrol to showcase boating best practices and scenic views of the coastline. The voyage started at the Panama City Marina, cruised by Sandy Point and St. Andrews State Park, and turned around near Captain Anderson's Marina. Christopher Boley, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's public information officer, said not only is the week about gearing up all the necessary safety equipment, but it's also to read the U.S. Coast Guard's navigational rules. "Even if you were born before 1988, that's when you're required to have a boater safety ID card," Boley said from Panama City's Marina. "If you've never had any sort of formal, boating training, please find a course. They're free online." Boley added that last year, over half of the fatality boating accidents that occurred, it was found the operators had no sort of formal voter education. Required safety gear: Life jackets for everyone on board; Sound producing device (i.e. horn or whistle); Fire extinguisher; Visual distress signal (i.e. flare); Throwable device (i.e. life ring, seat cushion) "Life jackets truly do save lives, and so does all that safety equipment," Boley said. "So, it's important that everyone on board knows where all that safety gear is. Because in emergencies, whether it's due to weather, a boating accident, anything like that, seconds matter." With the summer boating surge just around the corner, National Safe Boating Week serves as a reminder to wear it, pack it, check it, and read about it. For more information about boater requirements and safety, go to This article originally appeared on The News Herald: From shoreline to dock, summer boaters should review state and national rules
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Yahoo
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. Missing puppy found dead in Loxley; victim of animal cruelty '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. FBI provides update on Mobile, Baldwin County immigration enforcement efforts '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.
