FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Reports: July 12-18

July 12, 2024 through July 18, 2024 This report represents some events the FWC handled over specified weeks;  however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. View this as a web page. View previous editions.

CASES Escambia County During the annual Pensacola Beach Blue Angels Air Show July 10-13, FWC officers worked with local law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard conducting heightened patrols to help keep the waters safe for the many boaters enjoying the event. FWC officers removed 14 impaired vessel operators from the water for boating under the influence, protecting them, their passengers and the public from potential tragedy. Gulf County Officer Butts and Lieutenant Guy were conducting resource inspections at the Mexico Beach boat ramp and discovered a recreational vessel with two out-of-season red grouper. Officer Butts handled the violation accordingly. Officers M. and H. Webb were on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico off Cape San Blas. They stopped a vessel with a few people and fishing equipment to conduct a resource inspection. The inspection revealed the captain was in possession of an undersized red grouper out of season. The officers cited the captain for the possessing out-of-season violation and warned him for undersized red grouper. Officers M. and H. Webb were on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico off Cape San Blas. They stopped a vessel returning with seven people and fishing equipment to conduct a resource inspection. The inspection revealed the captain was in possession of three red grouper out of season. A citation was issued for possession out of season. Officers M. and H. Webb were on patrol in St. Joe Bay and stopped a vessel with a few people and fishing equipment to conduct a resource inspection. The inspection revealed the captain possessed four gray triggerfish out of season and undersized. A citation was issued for the violations.  Officers M. and H. Webb were on patrol in the Gulf of Mexico off Cape San Blas and stopped a vessel returning with six people and fishing equipment to conduct a resource inspection. The inspection revealed the captain possessed a red grouper out of season. A citation was issued for possession out of season. Officer Butts and Lieutenant Guy were on patrol at Mexico Beach boat ramp conducting resource inspections when a recreational vessel was discovered to have one out-of-season red grouper. Officer Butts handled the violation accordingly.  Officer Lipford was conducting a resource inspection at a popular fishing spot. During the inspection violations pertaining to flounder and saltwater fishing license were discovered. The appropriate action was taken.  Officers Scott and Gerber observed a vessel illegally moored to a navigation marker. During a subsequent resource and boating safety inspection, they found the operator was in possession of over-the-bag-limit of redfish, undersized redfish, undersized sheepshead, and no fishing license. The appropriate action was taken.  Officers Gerber, Butts, and Jarrell were on patrol conducting commercial blue crab trap inspections. Several violations were discovered with one individual’s traps. Officers watched the individual working the traps and later conducted a stop. The appropriate action was taken. SEARCH AND RESCUE Lieutenant Guy, Officer M. Webb and Officer Butts responded to a search and rescue call offshore between Cape San Blas and Indian Pass. While enroute the vessel completely sank leaving three adults and two children floating and adrift at sea. All five individuals were rescued and transported inland with no injuries reported.

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