ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - As thousands of boaters hit the water this Labor Day weekend, the St. Petersburg Police Department’s Marine Unit is stepping up patrols across Tampa Bay.

What we know:

Officers are watching for boaters under the influence , unsafe speeds in no-wake zones and inexperienced operators on rental boats and jet skis.

"We want everyone to go out, have a good time — but also go home safe," said Officer David Ramos with the Marine Unit.

Why you should care:

Florida leads the nation in boating accidents. In 2024, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported nearly 700 boating accidents statewide — 81 of them were fatal. Police said those numbers spike during holiday weekends, making enforcement especially important this time of year.

What they're

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