Who:
Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office
Patrol Operations Bureau
Special Operations Division
- Marine Unit

What:  
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit will be conducting free boat safety inspections this weekend at two Pinellas County boat ramps.

When:
Marine deputies will be conducting the safety equipment check on Saturday May 19, 2018 and Sunday, May 20, 2018, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Where:
On Saturday, May 19, 2018, deputies will be on-site at Pinellas War Veterans Memorial Park Boat Ramp located at 9600 Bay Pines Boulevard, St. Petersburg.

On Sunday, May 20th, 2018, deputies will be on-site at Pinellas County Fort Desoto Park Boat Ramp located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde.

Why/How:
The Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit will be conducting free boat safety inspections this weekend at two Pinellas County boat ramps. Deputies will be checking for required vessel safety equipment.  

Deputies will be on-site on Saturday May 19, 2018 at the Pinellas War Veterans Memorial Park Boat Ramp located at 9600 Bay Pines Boulevard, St. Petersburg, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Deputies will also be on-site on Sunday, May 20, 2018, at the Pinellas County Fort Desoto Park Boat Ramp located at 3500 Pinellas Bayway South, Tierra Verde, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Deputies will mainly be checking for:

-Correct number of life jackets - there needs to be a Personal Flotation Device for each passenger on board and it must be size appropriate  

-Throw cushions

-Flares

-Fire extinguisher

*Exact items checked for are dependent on vessel size and to where they are travelling*

Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) website for a list of other mandatory items based on what type of boat you have.

Boats that are in full compliance will receive a sticker from a Marine Unit deputy, showing that the vessel was in full compliance for future reference. If it is determined that the vessel is not in compliance, deputies will educate the boat operator of the missing equipment.   

For additional information please contact the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit at 727-582-6200.