In a coordinated statewide effort, the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division made multiple arrests over the Memorial Day weekend. A total of 13 boaters were taken into custody from May 24 to May 26 for operating vessels while impaired.
The operation spread across various waterways, had enforcement agents working to ensure public safety on the water. According to the LDWF release, violations occurred on a range of rivers and lakes from Caney Creek Reservoir in Jackson Parish to Bayou Little Caillou in Terrebonne Parish. The LDWF emphasizes its priority to actively enforce boating safety laws, seemingly to protect those who are looking to merely enjoy their time on these public waterways.
The first day's arrests included individuals from a swath of Louisiana parishes. Ryan Feirn, Hartwell Tiffee, Bentli Guidry, Steven Evans, Christian Ingram, Brandt Dauthier, and Ross W. Davis were among those reported to have been arrested for DWI offenses in different locations.
Continuing the agency's effort, Justin L. Graham and Joseph Howard were detained on May 25, followed by Garrett Ryder, Alley Nelton, Elijah Dixon, and Lleyton Leblanc on May 26. The LDWF's statement underscores the consequences of such offenses, detailing that anyone cited for a DWI on the water, will invariably face the loss of both driver's license and boating privileges for the duration a judge in the case specifies. Additionally, it was pointed out that DWI offenses are cumulative, irrespective of whether they occur on water or road.
In Louisiana, the standards for a DWI include any individual "operating a moving vessel or vehicle while impaired," as mentioned in the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries website. Sanctions for a first offense can be severe, with penalties ranging from a fine of $300 to $1000, and possibly extending to jail time of up to six months.
