Water scooter is the new ride for marine deputies

By JAMIE MALERNEE

© St. Petersburg Times, published May 26, 2000

Hernando County sheriff's officials unveiled the newest addition to their marine patrol unit Thursday, just in time for the boating and parties that come with Memorial Day weekend.

The new extra-large SUV Waverunner, which seats four and is on loan from a local watercraft dealer, is ideal for maneuvering through narrow river waterways and changing direction quickly, Sheriff Tom Mylander said. It will be put to good use, he added, when deputies are on the lookout this weekend for boating violations.

"When the weather is good, boy, they come from all over," Mylander said. "What they have to realize is that boats are as critical as automobiles, and they have to use common sense."

Deputy Roger Butts, one of three officers assigned to the marine unit, said patrols will be beefed up this weekend because of the large number of people expected on Hernando's waterways. He said deputies usually hand out twice as many citations on Memorial Day weekend as the dozen or so they write on most weekends.

The most common violations Butts sees are boaters who violate idle speed no-wake zones and people who take beer out with them.

"They get pretty creative" trying to hide it, Butts said. "The coolie cup usually gives you right away . . . and some try to pour it in water bottles. I've even found a can in a Pringles (tube). Nothing surprises me anymore."

While such tactics might be amusing, deputies don't hesitate to ticket. Butts added that the unit will also check for safety equipment. Boaters who lack required life jackets should not assume they will get off with warnings, he added.

The new Waverunner, donated by Barney's Motorcycle and Marine in Brooksville, is the fourth watercraft the Sheriff's Office marine unit uses. The others are a pontoon, an off-shore boat and a john boat. This is the second year Barney's has donated a Waverunner; the business has agreed to loan crafts to the agency for a year before replacing them with new ones.

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