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 July 28, 2018 and Sunday, July 29, 2018, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Where:
On Saturday, July 28, 2018, deputies will be on-site at the Seminole Boat Ramp located at 198 Seminole Street, Clearwater.

On Sunday, July 29, 2018, deputies will be on-site at the Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp located at 3900 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs.

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, July 28, 2018, at the Seminole Boat Ramp located at 198 Seminole Street, Clearwater, from 10:00 am until 2:00 pm.

Deputies will also be on-site on Sunday, July 29, 2018, at the Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp located at 3900 West Bay Drive, Belleair Bluffs, 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.