Florida

Key Biscayne Police Add New Patrol Boat

Memorial Day Weekend boaters have extra protection in Key Biscayne this weekend thanks to a brand new, 26-foot marine patrol boat.

Those familiar with the waters in the area know the potential dangers in boating, especially when the crowds swell as they are expected to this weekend.

Last Memorial Day weekend, a woman was killed near Elliot Key when her boat collided with another.

Chief Charles Press of the Key Biscayne Police Department knows first hand the tragedy of boating accidents. His daughter was nearly killed when she was run over by a boat propeller several years ago.

Since the accident, Chief Press has pushed for tougher safety laws and better resources for his department, like the new boat which can go places and respond to emergencies quicker than the department's current boat.

"That happened to my daughter in our own waters," he says. "And not being able to protect and do the job that we're meant to do, it was - it tore me apart."

Press says the new boat can quickly maneuver in and out of large crowds in the shallow waters surrounding Key Biscayne.

Also increasing safety is a new rafting ordinance which prevents more than five boats from being rafted together.

This weekend marks the first Memorial Day celebration with this new law in order.

The boat was paid for with police seizure funds, and was of no cost to Florida taxpayers.

Two new officers have also been hired by the department to staff the patrol boat.

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