Message from Palm Beach
County Sheriff Ric Bradshaw:
My deputies aren’t just busy
protecting you on land. They are also working hard to safeguard everyone on our
waterways.
The Sheriff’s Office marine
unit enforces marine laws, investigates boating accidents and other crimes, handles
underwater search and rescues, and offers boating education to the thousands of
watercraft drivers passing every year through Palm Beach County’s extensive
coastline, inland waterways, canals and lakes.
With a staff of 14 deputies
and commanders, our unit is tasked with everything from keeping illegal
immigrants and drug runners from landing on our shore to preventing boating
accidents and reducing "boating under the influence" incidents in our
parks. They are also dive and rescue experts who search underneath the water
surface for people and property in virtually any weather or water conditions.
In addition, we have four highly trained volunteer civilians, who work just as
hard in protecting and saving lives on the water.
Patrolling miles and miles of
these waterways is not easy. Over the years, the number of boats and personal
watercrafts has skyrocketed, and on certain busy weekends, many of these
waterways are congested, creating conditions for accidents and reckless behavior.
As a result, my marine deputies are constantly checking boaters for mandatory
safety equipment so they are aware of their responsibilities.
We’ve been spending a lot of
time, as of late, reducing rowdy behavior on Peanut Island, a popular hotspot
for boating off Riviera Beach. The county banned drinking alcohol there in May,
but my deputies are still keeping the peace in the waters off the island where
hundreds of boaters gather in the shallow waters on many weekends.
Since the September 11th
terrorist attacks, the marine unit has taken on a higher-priority role. It’s on
the frontlines, as my deputies work with our partners, such as the U.S. Coast
Guard, in monitoring threats coming in from the ocean. Using an advanced radar
system, they can track suspicious boats up and down our coastline. We also
patrol the Port of Palm Beach, escorting cruise and container ships to ensure
safe passage into the deeper waters of the ocean.
Again, a large part of what
the unit does is educate.
My deputies often board boats
to encourage passengers to wear personal flotation devices at all times. They
also urge boat operators to perform routine safety checks before heading out,
making sure the watercraft has the proper safety equipment on board, including
a working fire extinguisher, flares, and a horn or whistle.
They also ask boaters to check
weather reports before leaving the dock since weather, especially in tropical
South Florida, can change rapidly on the water, turning a pleasant day turning
into a dangerous situation.
I hope you all find the time
this summer to enjoy our beautiful waterways. Be safe out there.
