Bel Air Man Charged with Boating Under the Influence

FENWICK ISLAND, DE — A Bel Air man was charged with operating a boat under the influence after a crash, according to Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police.

Jeffrey S. Collier, 54, of Bel Air, was rescued after clinging to his capsized boat for two hours Sunday morning west of Fenwick Island, police reported.

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At 11:15 p.m. on Saturday, authorities received a 911 call and sent a helicopter, rescue boat and the fire company to the area of Cape Windsor, where Collier's 28-foot cabin cruiser got into an accident and capsized.

Collier was brought to shore by the rescue boat and cited for operating a boat under the influence (OUI), negligent operation of a vessel and failure to maintain a proper lookout, according to police. He was later released.

Delaware authorities remind boaters that it is a violation of state and federal law to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 or higher. Those who violate this law may have their boats impounded, can be fined and have the potential for jail time.

Collier's boat was brought ashore on Sunday morning by a commercial salvage company. The Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police is investigating the crash.

Patch File Photo.