This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
NORTHWEST REGION
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers assigned to the Pensacola field office conducted patrols to locate and report the status of the oil spill utilizing the 50‑foot patrol vessel, Orion, for long range offshore. Numerous vessels were also used for mid-range offshore in the Gulf of Mexico and the bay systems of Pensacola and Destin. Teams from the Northeast, North Central, Southwest, and South A Regions responded to assist with additional patrols and oil spill response efforts during the past week. K-9 Officer Sarah Manning and Officer Lenny Salberg have been instrumental in coordinating media/press ride alongs and interviews for both the long range and mid range recon patrols.
Officers George Anchors, Jeff Coggins, Kenneth Manning, and Faris Livesay responded to a call for help on the VHF radio regarding a capsized vessel with three people in the water two miles southeast of the Pensacola Pass. Upon arrival, Officer Anchors located the new 19‑foot Boston Whaler Outrage in three-to-five foot seas. The Whaler was a Vessel of Opportunity working for BP in response to the oil spill. Another Vessel of Opportunity arrived on scene and quickly retrieved the three people from the water. The U.S. Coast Guard’s 87‑foot vessel, Ibis, arrived to assist. Officer Anchors stayed with the capsized vessel until Tow Boat U.S arrived to right the vessel and tow it to the marina. Officers Kenneth Manning and Faris Livesay assisted with collecting information for the Coast Guard’s investigation of this commercial vessel accident.
Lieutenants David Adams and Chuck Russo responded to a vessel in distress on the rocks near Santa Rosa Yacht Club. The vessel had stalled and the elderly operator was having difficulty keeping his vessel away from the rocks. The officers assisted the operator in regaining control of his vessel.
Lt. Doug Berryman responded to a complaint regarding reckless vessel operation on Bayou Texar. Upon arrival, he observed a vessel, with numerous teens on board, towing a large tube. As he watched from shore, the occupants threw beer cans into the water. Several of the teens appeared to be extremely impaired. He called for assistance and Capt. Mary Sumner arrived. As the vessel docked, Lieutenant Berryman contacted the operator to conduct a safety equipment inspection and determine possible impairment. Captain Sumner maintained control of the 13 teenagers ranging between 15 and 17 years of age. The safety equipment inspection revealed insufficient life jackets on board. The boating under the influence (BUI) investigation revealed the operator was impaired. Officer David Jernigan arrived and transported the operator to the Escambia County Jail where he was offered an opportunity to provide a sample of his breath. The breath test revealed a blood alcohol level of .178 and .177. The operator was charged with BUI, insufficient life jackets, careless operation, littering, and possession of alcoholic beverages by a person under 21 years of age. Lieutenant Berryman issued citations to each of the remaining teens for littering. Captain Sumner arranged for parents to pick up the teens at the scene.
Officer David Burnsed was on water patrol in response to the oil spill, when he was approached by a citizen attempting to flag him down for assistance. Upon contact, the individual took off in a vehicle. Later in the day, Officer Burnsed observed the individual return to the scene. When Officer Burnsed made contact, he noticed signs of impairment. Field sobriety tasks confirmed the individual was impaired. A computer check revealed four outstanding warrants from Escambia County. Lt. Keith Clark arrived to assist. An Escambia County Sheriff’s deputy transported the individual to the jail where he was offered an opportunity to provide a sample of his breath. The driver refused and was charged with driving under the influence and driving with a suspended license. He was booked on the warrants.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Officer Hank Forehand was on water patrol near the St. George Island Bridge, Apalachicola Bay. At approximately 4:45 a.m. he observed an oyster boat running from Eastpoint with no running lights. Officer Forehand lost sight of the vessel and began working his way to the last location where the vessel was observed. Minutes later, the vessel was located under the St. George Island Bridge. Officer Forehand illuminated the vessel and saw an oysterman tonging oysters. After further inspection, he found the subject to have approximately one bag of oysters on the cull board. A citation was issued to the oysterman for tonging before official sunrise.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officers responded to the report of an airplane crash in the Gulf of Mexico and searched for the aircraft about two miles south of the beach off Walton County. Due to extremely rough seas, the officers had difficulty locating the exact crash site until the FWC aircraft arrived and provided air reconnaissance locating the downed aircraft. The vintage World War II AT-6 aircraft with a pilot and passenger on board out of the Destin airport was performing stunts over the Gulf at the time of the crash. Divers with the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office attempted to retrieve the victims, but failed due to extremely low visibility. The U.S. Coast Guard 87‑foot vessel maintained the crash site through the night. The following day, divers again attempted to retrieve the victims, but failed due to a combination of rough seas, dangerous weather, and the complexity of the crash. Just prior to midnight, the aircraft fuselage containing the victims’ remains was lifted from the bottom of the Gulf. Officers escorted the barge, containing the fuselage and victims, to port. The bodies were released to the Okaloosa County Medical Examiner.
Lt. Atwell Pride was on water patrol in response to the oil spill near Fort Walton Beach, when he was approached by a local resident requesting assistance with his vessel. Apparently, the vessel owner was attempting to sell his vessel, which was not currently registered, and was seeking authorization from Lieutenant Pride to operate the vessel for a “sales” ride. Lieutenant Pride conducted a computer check to confirm information on the vessel and owner. He discovered four outstanding warrants out of Okaloosa County for bad checks. Lieutenant Pride held the vessel owner until the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office arrived and then transferred custody for the warrants to be served. The vessel owner was transported to the Okaloosa County Jail and booked for the four warrants.
WALTON COUNTY
Lt. Mark Hollinhead, Officers Randall Brooks and Danny Arnette worked an enforcement detail targeting compliance with deer depredation permit rules and regulations. Lieutenant Hollinhead and Officer Brooks observed a light being displayed in a large field where no crops were present. They stopped the vehicle and conducted an inspection for firearms. A loaded rifle and shotgun were observed in the vehicle and the operator stated he was looking for deer. A depredation permit had been issued to the subject, but he failed to comply with regulations and notify FWC dispatch that he was activating the permit. The subject also violated the permit by hunting for deer on property where no crops were present. He was cited for violation of a deer depredation permit and attempting to take deer from a public road.
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