GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The mix of nearly 1,000 people, hundreds of boats, lots of alcohol , a river and a party atmosphere wa s the perfect recipe for …
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GREEN COVE SPRINGS – The mix of nearly 1,000 people, hundreds of boats, lots of alcohol, a river and a party atmosphere was the perfect recipe for trouble, but once again Boater Skip Day passed by on Friday, June 5, with very few problems.
Members of the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and Fire Rescue and Emergency Management were joined by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Jacksonville, Volusia, Putnam, Flagler, Nassau and St. Johns County sheriff’s offices, the Florida Highway Patrol, the Green Cove Springs Police Department, the St. Augustine Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard —all working to keep everyone safe.
The gathering at mile marker 23 at Bayard Point on the St. Johns River was so large it included a live disc jockey and music.
On the shoreline, deputies, rescue and emergency management responders were ready for any situation.
They used binoculars and drones to watch the crowds. They rode jet skis and boats to ride among the massive gathering of boats, floats and people wading in the waist-deep water.
According to the sheriff’s office, they responded to one disturbance, one fight, one impaired boater, one drunk person, one boating crash, three unoccupied boats and they assisted Fish and Wildlife Conservation with one ride assist.
CCSO didn’t report any arrests. Four partygoers were also transported to the hospital for treatment.
The Putnam County Sheriff’s Office said two of its Marine Patrol boats collided when they approached the city dock in Palatka Friday afternoon.
While one boat suffered damage and one deputy sustained a cut, a second deputy was uninjured, according to Sheriff H.D. “Gator” DeLoach.
“At this early stage I can only say I am grateful that none of our deputies were seriously injured, and no one in the community was hurt," DeLoach said.
