BUI Enforcement to protect manatees from Crystal River to Venice over Memorial Day Weekend

Operation Safe Passage

Florida BUI Enforcement and Boating Safety for Memorial Day Weekend

May 29, 2010 through June 1, 2010

From Crystal River to Venice

From May 29th through June 1st, a multi-agency safety initiative involving several law enforcement agencies will be participating in Operation Safe Passage which starts in Crystal River in Citris County, through Pasco County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, Manatee County, and Sarasota County ending in Venice, Florida.

Boating under Influence BUI and manatees

The stated objective of the task force includes enforce the regulations protecting manatees in some of the most popular waterways along the west coast of central Florida.

The following federal, state and local law enforcement agencies will participate in enforcement detail:

  1. the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS);
  2. the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC);
  3. the U.S. Coast Guard Stations (USCG) for Yankeetown and Cortez;
  4. Venice Police Department; and
  5. Manatee County Sheriff’s Office;
  6. Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office; and
  7. Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Offices Marine Patrol.

Law enforcement officers will assisting boaters, issuing boating citations, performing boating under the influence (BUI) investigations of impaired drivers, assisting vessel stops, issuing alcohol-related citations and making arrests and, finally, issuing manatee zone citations and warnings.

Additionally, law enforcement officers participants in this enforcement detail with conduct strict enforcement of the manatee zones. Federal fines range from $125 to $25,000 and/or 6 months imprisonment under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). The fines increase for each subsequent violation of any state or federal manatee zone throughout the state. Law enforcement officers will also strictly enforce boating safety and fishing regulations.

Click here to read more about federal regulations pursuant to the Endangered Species Act and manatee protection maps.

Click here to read more about State manatee regulations and protection zone maps.

If you receive a citation or are arrested for in local, state or federal law during Operation Safe Passage, contact a criminal defense attorney at the Sammis Law Firm, P.A., to learn more about how you can protect your rights and fight the allegations. Call 813-250-0500 to speak directly with an attorney.

2 comments

  1. This is great news to hear because our water life needs to be protected and after this oil spill still spilling huge amounts of oil into the Gulf this is a must.

  2. today is sad Mother’s day 2011 WATCHED in horor as boats speed by in ‘NO WAKE’ zone as MANATEE’S swam! Marker #27 to the swing-bridge marker #32! WHAT THE HELL I trie calling you & get a recording? WHO Enforces this mess as blood was in the water turning it gray. Don’t ever remember being so sick & not being able to do anything to help! HONE HOOF -Tampa a TITAN just went at high speeds w/no regard to signs or Manatee’s

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