(Ocean City, MD) – In an effort to increase boating safety and with the last official weekend of summer on the horizon, the Maryland State Police Aviation Command and the Maryland Natural Resources Police are teaming up to reduce the chances for injury or death on waterways in the Ocean City area.
This enforcement initiative, which begins Labor Day Weekend, will place an emphasis on the safe operation of boats and personal watercraft. Violations of speed limits, reckless operation, alcohol use, and required safety equipment continue to be ongoing areas of concern.
"Maryland has experienced 18 fatal boating accidents that resulted in 20 deaths this year,” Maryland Natural Resources Police Sergeant Art Windemuth said. “In a normal year, there are 12 boating deaths throughout the state. The goal of this enforcement effort is to reduce boating accidents on the waterways through the safe operations of vessels."
Specially-trained officers from the Natural Resources Police will fly in Maryland State Police helicopters or airplanes to conduct boating enforcement efforts from the air. Fourteen Natural Resource Police Officers have been trained by the Aviation Command to work alongside flight crews. The training focused on safety, crew resource management, water egress and emergency procedures.
At the beginning of summer, the State Police Aviation Command implemented deployment initiatives to Ocean City, which have aided in this new enforcement initiative. In addition, members of the Ocean City Beach Patrol have been trained in the insertion of rescue swimmers by helicopter if needed in an emergency.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the lead agency in the enforcement of boating laws and regulations designed for the safety of the boating public while on Maryland waterways. The Maryland State Police Aviation Command is committed to assist the Maryland Natural Resources Police in the performance of their mission. The large volume of boating and persons in and on the water makes Ocean City the obvious choice for implementing this initiative.
The inherent hazards while boating are not always readily apparent until after a tragedy occurs. Both agencies seek the cooperation of all boaters, in adherence to laws and safe operating principles, to ensure the safety of all Maryland citizens while they enjoy the day in the sun and on the water.
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
3 comments:
C'mon. This week we have an all-out cop effort to rake in MILLIONS in fines in the latest "campaign" to "educate" the citizens. Now we will have the Natural Resources cops stopping and boarding boats who have not given ANY indication of ANY criminal activity to CHECK to see IF they are committing a crime? Backed up by aerial forces? WHAT?! AERIAL FORCE?? Another cop effort to intimidate and harrass innocent --- INNOCENT! -- people, just to see IF they can find some crime. The rivers, lakes, and oceans belong TO THE PEOPLE. To be used FREELY. If a crime is committed, then prosecute. BUT -- don't look for POSSIBLE crime. I resent taking my family out on a body of water, only to have some goons with guns and badges interrupting me to board my boat and give me an "inspection" and hold me hostage until I "comply". After finding NO CRIME, they "thank me" for my "cooperation". Nazi checkpoints on our roads and on our waters. WHEN did AMERICANS become so complacent about being SEARCHED for POSSIBLE crime? When did INNOCENT people start thinking it was okay for armed agents of the Gestapo to check them to see IF --IF! -- they were doing something wrong?? Helicopters? are they gonig to start equipping them with .50 cal's? And SWAT teams ready to rappel down on a rowboat that doesn't "comply with orders to allow a boarding?
The real crimes are on land so why don't they leave the predominately white boaters alone so they can fish? Or are cops to afraid to fight real crime?
what a joke, a total waste of resources. While I do stay away from oc during the tourist season because of the number of idiots on the water. first off most of those fatalities have occured in the bay not oc!
secondly how about a boating license for everyone, to many fools with more money than brains.
thirdly has anyone ran the cost benefit of what it takes to run a program like this? flight time, aircraft maintanence costs, fuel costs, diverting of resources, etc?
Another reason Maryland is going broke and your taxes and fees will need to be raised.
If the boaters are that stupid well lets just call it survival of the fittest. Maybe it would be better if they are that stupid that some of them weren't around to pollute the gene pool!
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