Over the Independence Day holiday weekend, the Mohave County Sheriff’s Office Division of Boating Safety deployed patrol and rescue boats on the Lower Colorado River and Lake Havasu. Due to the holiday weekend, there was a significant increase in boating traffic and water-related incidents. Deputies, Rescue Divers, and River Medical Paramedics were deployed on many patrol watercraft.

Weekend Statistics:
– **Citations Issued:** 18
– **Arrests Made:**
– 7 for careless operation
– 1 for resisting arrest
– 1 for alcohol offense
– 1 for operating under the influence
– **Incidents Investigated:**
– 3 non-injury boat crashes
– 2 boat crashes with injuries
– 4 water rescues
– 3 medical calls
– 21 boaters assisted

Incident Reports:
**Thursday (7/4) at 8:19 PM**
Deputies responded to a two-boat collision on Lake Havasu near Site 6. A 24-foot Yamaha boat with 8 occupants collided with a 27-foot pontoon also with 8 occupants. The Yamaha boat sustained significant damage, and two passengers suffered non-life-threatening injuries and were transported to a local hospital. The operator of the Yamaha boat, John Schertzer, 42, from Yorba Linda, CA, was arrested for Operating Under the Influence.

**Thursday (7/4) at 10:18 PM**
Deputies responded to a report of a 20-year-old female swimmer who had gone missing in Thompson Bay, Lake Havasu. Reporting parties on shore feared she had drowned. Rescue Divers conducted a search and found the missing person on shore without injury.

**Friday (7/5) at 6:24 PM**
Deputies responded to reports of a sunken boat with 9 people in the water near Crazy Horse Campground on Lake Havasu. A 20-foot Warlock boat swamped and sank to the lake bottom. All occupants were rescued by passing boaters, and no injuries were reported.