A man was arrested last week after having passed out on a watercraft in Fort Lauderdale, according to local authorities. The arrest report indicated that a Fire Rescue captain was sent to South Andrews Avenue and spotted an unconscious party aboard a 30-foot boat making its way down the New River Canal.
According to the captain, the 56-year-old man had passed out while at the boat’s helm. The keys were found in the ignition and the engines were in the water but not on. The written report about the incident also stated that the man smelled strongly of alcohol, slurred his words, had a flushed complexion and was unsteady on his feet.
Upon questioning by police personnel, the manager of the Boathouse at Riverside stated that a someone resembling the man in question had been at his bar earlier in the day, drinking for several hours. Though the manager and a security staffer had attempted to prevent the man from getting back aboard his boat, they were unsuccessful. They contacted 911, but authorities did not appear.
The boater ultimately failed sobriety testing in the field, was arrested and charged with boating under the influence as well as refusing blood alcohol testing. It was later revealed that the man has three prior convictions for DUI, one conviction for refusing chemical testing and one conviction of BUI.
As any Fort Lauderdale criminal defense attorney will attest, charges of this nature are very serious and it is essential to obtain experienced legal representation as soon as possible after charges have been issued. Kenneth Hassett stands ready to thoroughly review the facts of your case and identify weaknesses in the prosecution’s evidence and arguments.
A BUI arrest is invariably an intimidating occurrence that brings feelings of fear and uncertainty to the forefront for the accused. If you are facing allegations of boating under the influence, contact Fort Lauderdale BUI defense attorney Kenneth Hassett at 954-791-3939.
