It’s National Safe Boating Week and Sheriff Rick Staly is reminding Flagler County to keep our waterways safe for all. It comes just in time for the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office (FCSO) to welcome an additional Marine Patrol Deputy to the Marine/Beach Unit. Deputy Jeremy Chambers will be joining Master Deputy Jeff Turner on our waters.

Deputy Jeremy Chambers is set to complete his marine training soon which will enable the Marine/Beach Unit to patrol our beaches, intracoastal waterways and canals 7 days a week in order to promote boater safety and deter Boating Under the Influence (BUI).

“National Safe Boating Week is a great reminder for Flagler County captains to put away their drinks and slow down while enjoying our waters,” Sheriff Rick Staly said. “It’s easy to forget how easily a fun day in the sun can turn into tragedy, especially while under the influences of alcohol and drugs. The addition of Deputy Chambers will help strengthen our waterway crime prevention, so criminals won’t have the time or place to hide in our beaches and canals.”

In May of 2018, Sheriff Staly re-launched a full-time Marine Unit in Captain Grady Prather Jr.’s honor, complete with land and water vehicles to patrol Flagler County’s 85-miles of water and 18-miles of ocean shoreline. Captain Grady Prather was a 33-year veteran of the FCSO who led the Marine Unit. The Sheriff’s Office District 1 – Hammock office is named in memory of Captain Prather, whose son currently serves as a Deputy Sheriff with FCSO.