That below is the “face” of marine law enforcement in SoFlo, and they WILL be out on the waters, saturating Biscayne Bay like white (or yellow, this is SoFlo after all) on rice, both today and tonight as folks head out to celebrate Independence Day on their boats.
Marine law enforcement agencies from all local municipalities, the County, the State and even the Feds (in the form of the USCG) will be strictly enforcing BUI laws, a newly enacted “rafting” ordinance and a “slow-speed zone” (which is pictured below and which was extends from Black Point Marina (on the south end) to the Julia Tuttle / 195 causeway (on the north end)) in an aggressive effort to decrease both the risk and incidents of boating accidents.
The “slow speed zone” limits captains to a maximum of 15 knots while operating their vessels in the proscribed area, and law enforcement is quite “seriously” about this.
“Slow speed zone” violations in this area are punishable by up to a $1,000.00 fine. Per U.S.C.G. Commanding Officer Michael Cortese: “Our objective with this speed restriction area is to minimize any accidents for folks trying to get to and from the heaviest congested marinas, folks trying to get from the high-density recreation areas, and to keep people safe as they leave the various fireworks festivities in the area throughout the evening.”
Independence Day is reportedly the busiest recreational boating day of the year, making it the most probably for accidents to occur.
Statistically speaking Miami-Dade County led the State of Florida in boating accidents last year (with 79 incidents which killed 10, injured 47 and causing $2.2 million in property damage, and with the deadliest crash – a three (3) boat accident which claimed four (4) lives – occurring on, yup, July 4th, 2014).
The new “rafting ordinance” permits no more than five (5) boats to tether together in a designated rafting area. Further, rafting groups (again, lawfully consisting of up to no more than five (5) boats) must be at least thirty feet (30′) from any other rafting group, and the outside boats (those on either side of the boat) are not permitted to set an anchor line.
Apart from this there will be (as there always is) “zero tolerance” for BUI offenders.
Memo to Captains (and to those who think that they are captains and who, sadly, will act as if they are captains but have absolutely no business whatsoever serving in that capacity – YES, YOU DO EXIST… I have been boating here in the 305 for nearly half a century and unfortunately I know you all to freaking well…): Marine cops will be everywhere today and tonight (again like white – or yellow – on rice); yet there will be exponentially more UNTRAINED, UNQUALIFIED, IDIOTIC, IMPAIRED, INTOXICATED (and untold combinations thereof) alleged boat captains on our waterways tonight. You can only control what you do, so please, pretty please, be responsible, be sober and be alert, lest you should meet these folks…
When what you want to be doing is enjoying this spectacular sight…
When it comes to the subject of BOATING and driving, the best advice that you are ever going to hear is: “Don’t do it! BE your own DC (Designated Captain) and you wont get a BUI”.
Be smart: Don’t drink and BOAT, but, if you do, just say “NO{thing}”, don’t blow (in FL your 2nd subsequent refusal is a crime) and call me stat at 305-381-8686, 305-798-2220 or 1-888-SHARK-8-1.
Michael A. Haber, P.A.: Providing creative, effective and zealous criminal defense litigation services primarily in SoFlo since 1991.
At Michael A. Haber, P.A. “Its all about reasonable doubt”!
Michael A. Haber, Esq. is prepared to speak with you about your case!
Cell: 305-798-2220; Office: 305-381-8686; Toll Free: 1-888-SHARK-8-1
LIKE www.facebook.com/haberpa ~ FOLLOW http://habercriminallaw.blogspot.com ~ SUBSCRIBE https://www.youtube.com/c/michaelhaberlaw ~ SEE www.criminallaw.miami ~ CALL 1-888-SHARK-8-1
THIS BLOG POST (AS ARE ALL OF HABERPA BLOG POSTS) IS A PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENT WHICH IS PRIMARILY DESIGNED, BY WAY OF REAL WORLD EXAMPLE, TO ASSIST THE GENERAL PUBLIC IN AVOIDING CONDUCT WHICH COULD FORESEEABLY RESULT IN ARREST AND PROSECUTION!
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