The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division arrested 10 boaters statewide for alleged driving or operating a vessel while intoxicated (DWI) during this past Memorial Day Weekend from Saturday, May 25 to Monday, May 27.

The LDWF Enforcement Division also reported zero boating fatalities for the Memorial Day weekend.

“Our agents continue to do a great job of enforcing recreational boating regulations including being very strict when it comes to looking for impaired boat operators. Doing that makes the waterways of Louisiana a safer place for everyone,” said Major Clay Marques, the state’s boating law administrator.

On May 25, agents arrested:

Santo Spitale, 23, of Morgan City, on the Atchafalaya River.
Matthew Fuller, 44, Sulphur, on Prien Lake.
Kelly R. Foreman, 54, of Rayne, on the Mermentau River.
Michael Phillips, 44, of Pineville, on Kincaid Lake.
Kory Despaux, 41, of Arabi on Intracoastal Waterway.

On May 26, agents arrested:

Richard Minchew, 49, of Columbia, on the Ouachita River.
Ian Johnson, 28, of Loranger, on the Tickfaw River.

On May 27, agents arrested:

Jaycob Golightly, 26, of Ragley, on the Calcasieu Ship Channel.
Landin S. Carriere, 20, of Eunice, on the Mermentau River.
Brody Holt, 20, of Sieper, on Kincaid Lake.

Anyone cited for a DWI on the water or on the road will lose his or her driver's license and boating privileges for the specified time ordered by the judge in the case.  Also, each offense of operating a vehicle or vessel while intoxicated counts toward the total number of DWI crimes whether they happened on the water or road.

In Louisiana a DWI can be issued to anyone operating a moving vessel or vehicle while impaired.  First offense DWI carries a $300 to $1,000 fine and up to six months in jail.