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Boater safety update from 4th of July weekend

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The Lee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit has wrapped up a three-day education and enforcement effort intended to promote safety on the waters. Over 50 safety inspections were conducted and violators of boating laws issued citations and warnings. The areas targeted over the 4th of July weekend included:

n Franklin Locks

n Caloosahatchee River Bridges

n San Carlos Bay / Sanibel Causeway Islands

n Fort Myers Beach

n Estero Bay

n Bonita Beach

n Imperial River

n Pine Island Sound

Eight citations and 40 warnings were issued to operators of everything from personal watercraft to a wide array of boats. Sheriff’s Marine Unit members offer their acknowledgment and appreciation to the hundreds of boating enthusiasts who were operating safely and complying with the law.

The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit is dedicated to promoting boating safety and enforcing the law on local waterways everyday. Vessel owners and operators are reminded to routinely conduct their own safety inspections to include checking navigation / anchor lights, fire extinguishers and assuring the proper number of USCG approved lifejackets before disembarking. It’s hoped by publicizing operations, such as this weekend’s, boaters stay alert and adhere to the laws governing our waterways.

Other agencies participating over the weekend: United States Coast Guard, Sanibel, Cape Coral and Fort Myers Police Departments, as well as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.