FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

During the Independence Day holiday weekend, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Division of Boating Safety deployed Deputies, Rescue Divers, and River Medical Paramedics on patrol boats along the Colorado River and on Lake Havasu. Officers reported a significant increase in boating traffic on the waterways, accompanied by numerous fireworks displays in the Bullhead City area, Fort Mohave area, and on Lake Havasu.

The most notable increase in activity occurred on Lake Havasu during one of the firework shows, when thousands of boats lined Thompson Bay, the South Basin, and the Bridgewater Channel well into the evening hours.

Throughout the weekend, the Division of Boating Safety contacted 505 boaters. Deputies issued 251 warnings and 73 citations for various boating violations, arrested two individuals for operating under the influence, and arrested five individuals for reckless operation of a watercraft. In addition, they responded to a non-injury boat crash, another boat crash with injuries, performed 11 water rescues, and responded to five medical calls with assistance from on-board River Medical Paramedics.

Overall, the holiday weekend was relatively safe, with no serious injuries or fatalities. The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Division of Boating Safety hopes that everyone had an enjoyable Fourth of July weekend.