GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Perhaps the threat of showers and thunderstorms kept the faint of heart on land during Boater Skip Day, but nearly 1,000 still slapped on sunscreen, tucked their favorite libation into a cozy and enjoyed the day during the annual event at Mile Marker 24 on the St. Johns River at Bayard Point.

To be on the ready, deputies and officers from Clay County Sheriff’s, Fire Rescue and Emergency Management, the Green Cove Springs Police Department, Putnam, St. Johns, Volusia, Jacksonville and Nassau counties sheriff’s offices were on the ready, as well as representatives from the St. Augustine Police department and the Florida State Guard.

Three men from St. Augustine were arrested and charged with fighting and disturbing the peace. Austin James Nadeau, 28, was charged with two counts of battery on a law enforcement officer, firefighter or EMT, battery with bodily harm, battery and disorderly intoxication. Israel Joseph Zelasko, 20, was charged with disorderly conduct by fighting (affray) and resisting law enforcement with violence and Caleb Scott Allen, 23, was charged with resisting arrest after a fight broke out in the water at Mile Marker 24 at Bayard Point as the annual event was winding down. Deputies responded to break up the melee.

There were at least four calls for medical assistance, according to CCFR and information posted on PulsePoint.

For the most part, inclement weather held off. A few spotty showers moved through the area around noon, but nothing many revelers feared.