Full Notification

DATE/TIME: September 1, 2021

INCIDENT: Labor Day Marine Enforcement Operation 2021

LOCATION: Colorado River Station

SUSPECT(S): N/A

VICTIM(S): N/A


SUMMARY: The Colorado River Station will be conducting its Labor Day Marine Enforcement Operation beginning Friday, September 3, 2021 and ending on Monday, September 6, 2021. Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department will be involved in “enhanced patrol activities” on the waterways of the Colorado River and will be deployed from the Nevada State line to the Riverside County line. Deputies will patrol on land, water, and air.  This allows for faster response times to emergencies. Deputies will be monitoring the waterways for individuals operating watercraft under the influence and operating watercraft in a reckless manner. Persons stopped and found to be operating watercraft under the influence of alcohol and or drugs will be arrested and booked into jail.

Other violations commonly seen by marine patrol deputies are transom/bow riding and blue light violations.  With the increasing popularity of wake boarding, wake surfing, and tubing, deputies are noticing an increase of people on boats who are transom riding.  All persons on board a boat while underway (not moored or at anchor) shall be within the confines of the vessel.   This helps decrease the risk of falling overboard and/or being struck by a propeller.  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.  This helps ensure the safety of all persons aboard during the stop as well as reduces the chances of boat damage.

Deputies will be conducting carriage equipment inspections of all boats stopped for violations. These carriage requirements include; a type IV throwable PFD readily available, enough PFD’s readily accessible for every person on board the vessel,  a serviceable fire extinguisher, and a sounding device on board. The San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department encourages all persons to wear personal floatation devices while engaging in water activities. Statistics show that wearing personal floatation devices helps save lives.
 
All California boat operators ages 16-40 years old are required to have in their possession a California Boater Education Card issued by the CA Division of Boating and Waterways.  This age increases to 45 years in 2022.  For information on how to obtain a card, visit the California Boater Card link at: http://californiaboatercard.com/.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is dedicated to providing a safe boating atmosphere for the public.  We urge everyone to boat sober and to wear a life jacket. For more information regarding safe boating practices, visit the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways website at: www.dbw.ca.gov.

For press releases, news, and information follow the Colorado River Station on Twitter at: @CORiverStation, Facebook @SBCSDColoradoRiverStation and/or Instagram @SBCSDColoradoRiverStation.

Refer: Sergeant Jeffrey Cross

Station: Colorado River Station/Marine Enforcement Unit

Phone No. (760) 326-9200

Case No. N/A

SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department