On Monday, June 24, 2024, I was on vessel patrol in the Intracoastal Waterway near Harbor Branch in St. Lucie County, Florida, alongside another officer from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). While patrolling, we observed a vessel traveling on plane through a posted manatee zone, which is a restricted speed area. The vessel made a wide turn and appeared to deliberately move toward the western shoreline, seemingly attempting to avoid our marked patrol vessel. As we followed, I observed a male subject standing behind the center console with a female in front of him. His arms were wrapped around her as if guiding the controls. A short time later, the male subject moved toward the rear of the boat and appeared to secure items inside a cooler on the deck. We then overtook the vessel and activated our emergency lights and siren. It took several seconds for the operator to acknowledge and respond. Upon initial contact, the female was at the helm. When we attempted to engage with her as the vessel operator, the male subject immediately interjected and stated that he had been operating the vessel, and that the female had only taken over moments prior. He claimed he had been directing the vessel’s navigation the entire time. For context, Florida State Statute 327.02(27) defines "operation of a vessel" as: “Being in charge of, in command of, or in actual physical control of a vessel upon the waters of this state, or exercising control over or having responsibility for a vessel's navigation or steering, regardless of whether the vessel is wayward, aground, or at anchor.” Based on these observations and statements, I determined there was probable cause to believe the male subject was the true operator of the vessel while impaired, constituting Boating Under the Influence (BUI). Charges: Boating Under the Influence (BUI) – Operating a vessel while normal faculties impaired --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Disclaimer: The description has been rewritten in the first person solely for theatrical and narrative purposes based on the original police narrative. All videos and case documents were obtained pursuant to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act, N.J.S.A. 47:1A-1 et seq. (P.L. 2001, c. 404). Defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty. This channel is made strictly for educational and news gathering purposes. Not affiliated with any law enforcement agency.

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