As the California Highway Patrol kept a close eye on the roads over the Memorial Day weekend, San Bernardino County deputies took to the water, making 15 arrests for intoxicated boating on the Colorado River, Big Bear Lake and Lake Arrowhead, authorities said.
Nine patrol boats, an off-highway vehicle team, a dive team and a helicopter from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department joined in the effort, which began Friday, May 22, and continued through Monday, May 25, according to the agency. The operation was headed by the Sheriff’s Sheriff’s Marine Enforcement Unit.
“Most of the operation was focused on the waterways with resorts, launch ramps and marinas along the river and lakes,” sheriff’s officials said in a written statement.
Deputies stopped 145 boaters over the weekend period, ultimately arresting 15 for boating while intoxicated, officials said. An additional person was arrested for land-based DUI.
Another 84 boaters received tickets, while hundreds of others got “verbal warnings,” according to the statement.
Deputies also investigated a collision between a boat and a beached vessel that left a 3-year-old girl with major injuries at the Park Moabi Channel of the Colorado River in Needles on Saturday, May 23. BUI was not initially suspected to be a factor, authorities said.
Officials reminded California boaters to obtain California Boater Cards, which are required by law, before hitting the water. The cards can be obtained by taking an online test at californiaboatercard.com.
The legal blood-alcohol level for adult, non-commercial boaters in California is the same as driving a car at .08%.
“The Colorado River Station Marine Enforcement Unit is, as always, dedicated to providing a safe boating atmosphere for the public and reminds everyone to wear their life jackets and to boat sober,” the statement said.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: 15 arrested in SoCal for boating under influence over holiday weekend
Reporting by Brian Day, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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