Buffalo, NY – Erie County Sheriff Timothy B. Howard reports the Marine Unit has officially ended its marine patrols for 2015.  The patrol season started May 15 and ended November 15.  During the winter months, the Sheriff Office’s two vessels will receive some needed maintenance and repair work over the winter months.

The Marine Unit logged over 3,400 man hours patrolling Erie County waterways during the 2015 boating season. During their patrols the unit: conducted and issued:

• Conducted 25 Search and Rescue missions
• Issued 165 summonses for Navigation Law violations
• Made 4 BWI arrests
• Investigated 14 water vessel accidents
• Issued 76 warnings to boaters and operators

The Marine Unit reports the most common infractions cited by Deputies were unregistered vessels, reckless boating, and insufficient or no visual distress equipment on board.

In addition to maritime patrols, the Marine Unit conducted numerous border security patrols.  These specialized patrols were funded through homeland security grants and often times were conducted in conjunction with other law enforcement marine units.

Members of the Marine Unit will transfer back into patrol districts and the Snowmobile Unit.