ST. JOHNS RIVER, Fla. – Boater Skip Day unofficially kicked off the summer season across Northeast Florida, and this year marked a decrease in arrests, meaning more room for fun in the sun.
As thousands of boaters took to the St. Johns River for a day off from work and some fun on the water, law enforcement officers were on alert.
According to the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, there were 21 arrests connected to the event last year.
This year, across all agencies, it was down to eight arrests. That number included boating under the influence and one person arrested for battery on a law enforcement officer.
The event brings a crowd of people. That’s what makes Boater Skip Day the spectacle on the St. Johns River.
But it also means an increased law enforcement presence.
“We’re out there to make sure everybody is having a good time,” Deputy Brooks Morrell with the Clay County Sheriff’s Office. “Some people when they’re not responsible and they’re not safe, it gets some consequences.”
So, with music playing and friends and family in the water, first responders patrolled the waters.
Dozens of vessels from several state and local agencies, including the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Fire Rescue and Florida Fish and Wildlife, surveyed the crowd for signs of need.
The St. Johns County Air Unit even shared a video on Facebook from the sky of the large crowd and law enforcement operations.
“There’s a general thing in law enforcement, better to have a show of force than a use of force,” Tyler Barru,s, said. “And the same thing applies here.”
Barrus is the lead instructor at the Freedom Boat Club which helps get dozens of boats on the water for days like this.
But he also used to work in the Coast Guard and a Marine Unit in New York, where he helped in search and rescue operations and law enforcement.
He said that as the summer goes on, it’s important to stay safe on the water. He said to make sure you don’t drink and drive, and that everyone has a life vest.
“It’s really important to keep an eye out and watch out for the other guy,” Barrus said.
Adding that even if you are following the rules, others may not, and that can put you in danger if you are not paying close attention.
