Drunk Cape Cod Boater Runs Aground On Martha’s Vineyard

CHAPPAQUIDDICK ISLAND — A Cape Cod man faces charges after running his 43-foot boat aground on Martha's Vineyard.

Around 9:40 p.m. on Friday, Massachusetts State Police officials were notified by Dukes County dispatch of a large boat that had run aground on Chappaquiddick Island.

A state trooper and Edgartown police officers located the boat and approached the vessel where they found two men onboard. Those men explained that the crash was due to a "navigational error."

The operator of the boat was Riley Blizard, 32, of Cotuit. State police said the trooper "immediately recognized signs of impairment" in Blizard, and escorted both men to Chappaquiddick Road for field sobriety tests.

Based on the tests, Blizard was placed under arrest and transported to Dukes County Jail for booking. He faces charges of operating a boat under the influence of liquor and negligent operation of a boat.