Boater Charged with DUI after Striking Other Boats

The U.S. Coast Guard and local police arrested a 46-year-old Jamestown man for operating his vessel while intoxicated in local waters early Thursday morning.

A 45-foot Response Boat Medium crew from Station Castle Hill in Newport launched to search for the powerboat Zero PSI after the boat allegedly left Jamestown Harbor in erratic fashion, striking several other boats along the way.

The crew located the boat near the Pell Bridge at around 12:44 a.m.; Jamestown Police contacted Castle Hill watchstanders a short time earlier requesting assistance in locating the powerboat.

The vessel was taken in tow and the operator, David Howe of Jamestown, was taken to shore.

On land, Howe was transferred to Jamestown Police after he failed a field sobriety test, the Coast Guard said.

Jamestown police issued Howe a recreational boating under the influence citation.

“Boating while intoxicated is not only illegal, but it’s inexcusably dangerous,” said Petty Officer 2nd Class Timothy Mirandi, the Coast Guard boarding officer on scene. “In situations like these, we leverage our port partners and do everything in our power to quickly find, apprehend, and remove irresponsible boaters from our waterways.”

Photo: Patch File Photo