Free Boat Inspections Provided By Sarasota Agencies

SARASOTA, FL – For many, Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of the summer season. And several agencies in the Sarasota area are looking to make sure summer gets off to a safe start for boaters.

The Sarasota Police Department and the Civilian Volunteer Marine Patrol will partner with the U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 84 and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission for an Interagency Boating Safety Inspection Day on Saturday, May 27 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The event will take place at Centennial Park, also known as the 10th Street Boat Ramp, 1059 N. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota.

Many boats – even in Florida – have seen little use over the winter and may not be prepared for a maiden voyage for the season, according to the Sarasota Police Department. Many times, boaters may find themselves without the necessary emergency equipment in their haste to get out on the water during the holiday weekend.

“According to the U.S. Coast Guard, each year hundreds of lives are lost, thousands are injured and millions of dollars in property damage happens because of preventable recreational boating accidents on our waterways,” said Stg. Bruce King of the Sarasota Police Department. “The Sarasota Police Department wants to make sure everyone has a safe boating season.”

Video and image via Sarasota Police Department YouTube channel