GREEN COVE SPRINGS – Boater’s Skip Day, the day hundreds play hooky from work to enjoy a day of sunshine, music, carnival atmosphere and scantily-clad party-goers, will make its annual watery pilgrimage to Mile Marker 24 on the St. Johns River on Saturday, June 7.

The event, unofficially known as a “Mardi-Gras-like” holiday, is celebrated on the first Friday of June. It ushers the beginning of summer and the boating season, and it’s become one of the largest events in Northeast Florida.

A year ago, more than 1,000 boats were moored side-by-side at Bayard Point by noon, south of the city. Since boats, water and alcohol were involved, several agencies were involved to ensure there weren’t any problems and everyone had a good time.

Agencies representing the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Clay County Fire Rescue and Emergency Management and the Putnam and St. Johns County and Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office were on the water, along with units from Green Cove Springs and St. Augustine police departments, Jacksonville Fire Rescue and the U.S. Coast Guard. Their heavy presence didn’t dull the party atmosphere.

At the scene, a rescue helicopter, river rescue boats and ambulance were at the Point.

A couple of miles north of the fun, law enforcement, including the Florida Highway Patrol, Florida Department of Law Enforcement, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and CCSO, established a command post to focus on anyone with too much to drink to drive a boat.

Boat ramps at Governors Creek, Knight’s Boat Ramp, Lake Shore Boat Ramp, Doctors Lake Boat Ramp and Williams Park will be at capacity by daybreak. The ramp at Whitey’s Fish Camp on Fleming Island is expected to be closed during the event.