The third nighttime inspection since August in the boating community near the Historic Bridge Street Pier on Sarasota Bay resulted in four citations for anchor lights.
On Nov. 23, Bradenton Beach Police Department Officer Eric Hill and an auxiliary officer patrolled the anchorage area between 9 p.m. and 1 a.m., according to BBPD Detective Sgt. Lenard Diaz.
The city boundary includes 500 feet of waterway.
Checking for such items as outdated flares, improper registration and anchor lights, the officers wrote citations to four boaters for missing or inoperable anchor lights. The fine is $73.
“When you drive a dinghy you have to have a light on the front and the back, plus an anchor light,” Diaz said.
“It’s basic boating 101—the biggest thing is to be seen,” he added.
The inspections are expected to continue on a regular basis and will remain unannounced.