Scenes from Floatchella 2018. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
A combination of local, county, state and federal law enforcement will man a water-based command post at the Floats and Boats party (formerly known as Floatchella) at Tices Shoal this weekend.
Thousands of boats are expected to travel to the shoal, located on the bay side of Island Beach State Park, for the event, in which boaters decorate floats and tubes and stay on the water for the day. In the past, there have been concerns that too many boats are occupying a relatively small area on the water. This year’s Floats and Boats celebration will last two days: July 27 and 28.
“The New Jersey State Police Special Operations Section will be working with local, county and federal partners on a command post set up in the water,” the state police announced.
In a statement, NJSP reminded boaters that all vessel operators are responsible for their wake up to 200 feet in all directions. The wake is the trail of disturbed water left behind by a passing vessel. Vessels must be equipped with an approved Personal Floatation Device (PFD) for everyone on board, and all children 12 and under must be wearing one when the boat is in motion or at anchor.
Scenes from Floatchella 2018. (Photo: Daniel Nee)
Personal watercraft (Jet-Ski) operators must maintain idle speeds within 100 feet of shoreline, swimmers, and other vessels, the statement said, and use of the vessels are prohibited before sunrise and after sunset.
“Boating While Intoxicated (BWI) is strictly enforced,” the announcement said. “Operating a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or allowing another to do so is prohibited.”
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