Wayne Huizenga's Son Found Passed Out At Helm

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Weeks after the death of Wayne Huizenga, the South Florida billionaire's son was found passed out behind the helm of his 30 foot Jupiter floating along the New River Canal. Robert Ray Goldsby Huizenga was arrested for operating the craft under the influence and failing to submit to a boating under the influence test. His father built a business and sports empire like few others, having once owned the Miami Dolphins, Florida Panthers, Miami Marlins, Waste Management, Inc., Blockbuster Entertainment and AutoNation, Inc.

The 56-year-old had a "strong odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from him while speaking, slurred speech and a red flushed face" when he was found by Fort Lauderdale police on Wednesday night. Court documents said Huizenga had consumed three glasses of wine over a period of three to four hours with friends at the Boathouse at The Riverside. The business is located at 620 SE 4th Street.

The Broward Sheriff's office said that Huizenga had three prior DUI convictions — two in 2006 and one in 1998. He had two prior suspensions for refusing to submit to breath, urine or blood tests in 1997 and 2003. In addition, he had a 2009 conviction for boating under the influence. Police obtained a warrant to perform a blood test on Huizenga but the results were not immediately available.

When he stood up, police said Huizenga was "swaying back and forth and was very unsteady." They also said that his answers to questions were not consistent with the questions being asked.

Boathouse manager Jim Horns told police that Huizenga did not appear to be "super drunk" but that he didn't think Huizenga should be operating his 2015 boat. He called 9-1-1 to prevent Huizenga from leaving, but "no one showed and the man boarded his boat and stated something like you can't keep me from leaving. This is my boat. The subject then untied his boat and then sat down in the driver's seat," according to court documents.

Horns said he tried several times to convince Huizenga not to leave in his boat, which had been docked at the establishment. The manager said he offered to call Huizenga a taxi or let him sober up at the bar with water.

Court documents also said that the keys were found in the ignition of the boat and that the engines had been lowered into the water but were not running when police found Huizenga shortly before midnight Wednesday. He was arrested early Thursday morning.

His 80 year-0ld billionaire father passed away on March 22 in his home on the New River surrounded by family after a decades-long battle with cancer. He was the first person in the United States responsible for six companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange and to have founded three Fortune 500 companies.

Huizenga was the only person on the boat.

His father also brought Major League Baseball to South Florida in 1993 and served as chairman of the then Florida Marlins through 1998. He brought the National Hockey League to South Florida as founding owner of the Panthers for the team's first eight years, including a trip to the Stanley Cup finals during the 1995-96 season. He also added the Miami Dolphins to his sports empire.

Most Americans know the elder Huizenga for his business acumen, becoming the first person in the country to be responsible for six companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange and to have founded three Fortune 500 companies.

He also founded Boca Resorts, Inc. and co-founded Extended Stay America.

Photo courtesy Broward Sheriff's Office