Marine Patrol Lends Child-Size Life Jackets To Captains

TAMPA, FL – According to the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit, most boat captains their deputies come across have more than enough life jackets on their boats for the number of people they are carrying.

However, this changes when a guest unexpectedly brings a child aboard the boat. If the captain launches the boat without the appropriate life jacket to fit that child, the captain would be in violation of Florida State Statute. The law also requires all children younger than 6 must actively wear a life jacket on a boat less than 26 feet in length.

To help captains stay in compliance, the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office launched Operation Safe Bay. Along with the financial support of Port Tampa Bay and West Marine Pro, 100 life jackets will be stocked at three different boat ramps around Hillsborough County.

The first deployment of life jackets will take place during the Boating Safety Summit, scheduled for Saturday, May 20 at 9 a.m. at the Salty Sol Fleishman – Gandy Boulevard Public Boat Ramp. The South Tampa boat ramp is located at 5108 Gandy Blvd.

Later in the week, additional life jackets will be stocked at Simmons Park Boat Ramp, 2401 19th Ave. NW in Ruskin, and Williams Park Boat Ramp, 9425 U.S. Highway 41 S. in Riverview.

Boaters will be expected to use the honor system and will be allowed to borrow life jackets to ensure the safety of each child on their craft. Once the boater returns to the ramp, the boater can return the vest for the next user.

The life jackets will be available in two sizes: 50 pounds and lighter and 50 to 19 pounds.

Residents interested in donating life jackets to Operation Safe Bay can contact the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit at (813) 242-5591. The Marine Unit will redistribute any donated life jackets as needed to the public boat ramps.

Image courtesy of Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office