Friday, November 6, 2009
|
Smith Island - The Coast Guard conducted a law enforcement boarding of a passenger vessel transporting five schoolchildren from Crisfield, to Smith Island, Maryland, Wednesday, detaining the operator of the 60-foot passenger vessel until Maryland Natural Resources Police officers arrived .
During the boarding, the operator of the 60-foot passenger vessel tested positive for use of alcohol and was detained by the Coast Guard until a Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) Officer could arrive.
Once on scene, the NRP Officer arrested the individual and transported the children home.
The Coast Guard has temporarily suspended the license of the operator and will initiate administrative proceedings against the operator.
The Natural Resources Police charged the operator, Alan Wade Tyler, 49-years-old from Smith Island, Maryland with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by any drug or combination of drugs and alcohol and negligent operation of a vessel.
"We take violations affecting passengers, especially children, very seriously," said Cmdr. Kelly M. Post, the Chief of Prevention at Sector Baltimore. "I have initiated a detailed investigation and will take the appropriate measures to prevent and deter violations like this in the future."
"The United States Coast Guard and the Maryland Natural Resources Police regard the safety of Maryland citizens seriously, especially when it comes to the safety of our children, and we will work together aggressively to make our waterways safe" said Colonel George F. Johnson IV, Superintendent of the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
###
The Maryland Natural Resources Police remind all citizens and visitors that attention to boating safety saves lives, and is of paramount importance when enjoying Maryland's waterways.While it is recommended that everyone on board wear a personal floatation device while a vessel is underway, a child under 7 years of age must wear a life jacket while underway in a vessel that is less than 21 feet in length. In addition, children under 4 years of age and/or less than 50 pounds must have a life jacket equipped with a grab strap, inflatable headrest and crotch strap. The NRP also recommends filing a float plan with a friend or relative. The plan should include the vessel's destination, how long it will remain at the destination, and what time it's expected to return. This information will assist rescue units if the vessel does not return. The Maryland Natural Resources Police emergency number is 800-628-9944.
.
Note: If you choose to use an acronym, please refer to Maryland Natural Resources Police as "NRP". Thank you.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov
During the boarding, the operator of the 60-foot passenger vessel tested positive for use of alcohol and was detained by the Coast Guard until a Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) Officer could arrive.
Once on scene, the NRP Officer arrested the individual and transported the children home.
The Coast Guard has temporarily suspended the license of the operator and will initiate administrative proceedings against the operator.
The Natural Resources Police charged the operator, Alan Wade Tyler, 49-years-old from Smith Island, Maryland with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol, operating a vessel while impaired by any drug or combination of drugs and alcohol and negligent operation of a vessel.
"We take violations affecting passengers, especially children, very seriously," said Cmdr. Kelly M. Post, the Chief of Prevention at Sector Baltimore. "I have initiated a detailed investigation and will take the appropriate measures to prevent and deter violations like this in the future."
"The United States Coast Guard and the Maryland Natural Resources Police regard the safety of Maryland citizens seriously, especially when it comes to the safety of our children, and we will work together aggressively to make our waterways safe" said Colonel George F. Johnson IV, Superintendent of the Maryland Natural Resources Police.
###
The Maryland Natural Resources Police remind all citizens and visitors that attention to boating safety saves lives, and is of paramount importance when enjoying Maryland's waterways.While it is recommended that everyone on board wear a personal floatation device while a vessel is underway, a child under 7 years of age must wear a life jacket while underway in a vessel that is less than 21 feet in length. In addition, children under 4 years of age and/or less than 50 pounds must have a life jacket equipped with a grab strap, inflatable headrest and crotch strap. The NRP also recommends filing a float plan with a friend or relative. The plan should include the vessel's destination, how long it will remain at the destination, and what time it's expected to return. This information will assist rescue units if the vessel does not return. The Maryland Natural Resources Police emergency number is 800-628-9944.
.
Note: If you choose to use an acronym, please refer to Maryland Natural Resources Police as "NRP". Thank you.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 12 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov
Contact:
Sgt. Art Windemuth (410) 260-8003 (410) 713-8449 (cell) or awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us
Sgt. Art Windemuth (410) 260-8003 (410) 713-8449 (cell) or awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us
THE OUTDOOR WIRE DIGITAL NETWORK >
FISHING WIRE :
SHOOTING WIRE :
TACTICAL WIRE :
DEALER WIRE :
WOMEN'S OUTDOOR WIRE
© Copyright 2012 The Outdoor Wire. All Rights Reserved.