NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
June 9, 2008
Vol. 38, No. 268
For more information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Agents
Make Four Weekend Arrests for OUI
Over the weekend, Sussex County Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Agents on routine patrol made four separate arrests of boaters for operating under the influence. In each case, after agents detected an odor of alcohol, the boat operator was taken to Delaware State Police Troop 7 in Lewes for an intoxilyzer test and found to be over the legal limit of .08.
- On Saturday evening, June 7, Enforcement Agents observed a vessel operating without required navigation lights near Dewey Beach. After stopping the vessel, the agents administered field sobriety tests before taking the boat operator to Troop 7. Mark A. Smith, age 42, of 1998 Mitten Street, Dover, was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence and not displaying navigational lights.
- Later on Saturday evening, June 7, a U.S. Coast Guard team conducting a routine boarding stopped a man near the public boat ramp in Lewes. After the man refused field tests, Enforcement Agents took him to Troop 7. Darin McMahon, age 35, of 35 Stone Edge Road, Sellersville, Pa., was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence.
- Just after midnight Sunday, June 8, Enforcement Agents saw a vessel operating without navigational lights on Rehoboth Bay and conducted a boarding. Michael W. Fowler, age 49, of 412 Alder Avenue, Middletown, was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence and not displaying navigational lights.
- On Sunday evening, June 8, agents saw a vessel operating at greater than slow wake speed near Massey’s Landing. Richard A. Thir, age 54, of 55 Docs Place Road in Millville, was arrested and charged with operating a vessel under the influence.
All four men were issued mandatory court appearances, Smith, McMahon and Fowler on June 20 and Thir on June 27.
OUI laws are in place for good reason, noted Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of the Delaware Boating Safety Office. “As with driving a car while intoxicated, operating a boat while intoxicated impairs the operator’s good judgment and places him or her as well as passengers and other boaters at risk. Before becoming intoxicated while on the water, recreational boaters would be wise to consider the risks – including arrest, fines and possible jail time as well as causing accidents and possible injuries,” said Sgt. Rhodes.
For further information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement, at 302-542-6102 or 302-739-9913.
