Patrols will keep close watch on water scooters

Police beef up river patrols because of complaints about personal watercraft using the boat ramp near Lowry Park.

By RON MATUS, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published August 30, 2002

Personal watercraft users, beware.

The police might be on your rooster tail.

In response to the hubbub over personal watercraft using the boat ramp near Lowry Park, the Tampa Police Department this month beefed up its presence on the Hillsborough River.

"We've been trying to be a little more visible," said Sgt. Alan Draffin, who oversees TPD's marine unit. "There aren't that many Jet Skis, but there are a few that like to speed around."

In the spring, Tampa officials lifted the ban on launching personal watercraft from the boat ramp, saying it was a fairness issue. Riverside residents objected, and more than 150 people signed petitions.

A leading critic said last week that more patrols are welcome, but still not enough.

Only a ban "stops a significant amount of traffic on the upper part of the river," said attorney Guy Labalme, who has lived alongside the river for nearly three decades.

Labalme said he sent the city attorney's office legal briefs that he contends will shore up a renewed ban. He and other critics say water scooters will cause more accidents and erode more river bank.

But city attorney James Palermo said the city had no choice.

Florida law prevents local governments from discriminating against personal watercraft, which are considered motor vessels just like small boats, he said.

"You can't say 'You can't launch a personal watercraft from Lowry Park, but you can launch a motor boat,' " he said.

He said enforcement is a different issue.

"You can empathize with (opponents)," he said. "I don't think a personal watercraft can idle."

Draffin said TPD boats routinely patrol that section of river to enforce the no-wake zone that extends 3.3 miles upstream from the ramp and 0.6 miles downstream. Violators face a $58 fine.

But now they'll be coming more often -- including Saturdays and Sundays -- and staying longer.

"What we agreed to do . . . is get up there as much as possible," he said.

Draffin said TPD policy is "pretty much zero tolerance," and it will apply to both personal watercraft and boats.

Since longer patrols began three weeks ago, Draffin said TPD has found few personal watercraft and handed out no citations.

"I think they're observing us and behaving," he said.

-- Ron Matus can be reached at 226-3405 or matus@sptimes.com.

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