DATE: May 20th, 2020
MEMORIAL DAY MARINE ENFORCEMENT OPERATIONS
The Colorado River Station will be conducting Memorial Day Marine Enforcement Patrol Operations Friday, May 22nd through Monday, May 25th. Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department will be involved in enhanced patrol activities near and on the waterways of the Colorado River, patrolling by land, water, and air. Deputies will be deployed from the Nevada State line to the Riverside County line and will be monitoring the waterways for operators operating watercraft under the influence and operating watercraft in a reckless manner. Persons stopped operating watercraft under the influence of alcohol and or drugs will be arrested and booked into jail. Deputies will also be closely watching for children under the age of 13 without personal floatation devices (PFD’s) while aboard vessels. The law requires all persons under the age of 13 while onboard a vessel wear a personal floatation device. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department encourages all persons to wear personal floatation devices while on the waterways, as it is a proven fact personal floatation devices save lives. Other violations commonly seen by marine patrol deputies are transom/bow riding and blue light violations. All persons on board a boat while underway (not moored or at anchor) shall be within the confinements of the vessel, so the risk of falling overboard or being struck by a propeller is greatly reduced. The blue light law requires all vessels approaching a law enforcement vessel with activated blue lights to come off plane and pass at a no-wake speed so not to endanger the deputies during the stop and to reduce the chance of damaging boats.
All California boat operators 16-35yrs old are required to have in their possession a California Boater Education Card issued by the CA Division of Boating and Waterways. For information on obtaining a card go to http://californiaboatercard.com/.
The Colorado River Station Marine Enforcement Unit is, as always, dedicated to providing a safe boating atmosphere for the public and reminds everyone to wear their life vests and to boat sober. For press releases, news and information, follow the Colorado River Station on Twitter at: @CORiverStation
Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, The Colorado River Station’s Marine Enforcement Unit will be seeking voluntary compliance with safe distancing and asks all visitors to the area to adhere to CDC recommendations.
Refer: Travis Vessells, Corporal
Colorado River Station Marine Enforcement Unit
Phone No: (760)326-9200
JOHN McMAHON, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department
