Two young spring breakers were caught on camera dumping trash cans full of garbage into the ocean while boating off the Florida coast, leading to them surrendering to police and facing charges for pollution. The 16-year-old and 15-year-old boys were hit with third-degree felony pollution for their actions, which were captured in a viral video shared online. In the video, the boat filled with several teens can be seen leaving a party scene and dumping trash cans overboard into the water.
Drone footage showed the 16-year-old boater allegedly air-humping as the boat made its way out to sea, and then dumping two full trash cans into the ocean with his shirtless companion. State wildlife officials denounced their behavior as a serious crime and expressed their commitment to protecting Florida’s natural resources. The owner of the boat, whose 15-year-old son was identified as the one in the video, confirmed to law enforcement officials that he was involved in the incident.
The family of the boat owner issued a statement expressing their regret and apologizing to those impacted by the incident. They highlighted their commitment to caring for the ocean and the community and emphasized the importance of ocean conservation efforts. The family agreed with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Chairman Rodney Barreto’s assessment that this was a teaching moment for the teens involved, and they pledged to cooperate with authorities in addressing the situation.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission emphasized the seriousness of dumping trash in the marine environment and indicated that they would be working closely with the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office to determine appropriate charges. The Commission stressed the need for everyone to do their part in protecting Florida’s natural resources and stated that callous disregard for the environment would not be tolerated. The teens now face the possibility of a fine of up to $50,000 and five years in prison for their actions.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of respecting and protecting the marine environment, as well as the consequences of irresponsible behavior. It highlights the need for education and awareness around ocean conservation and the impact of pollution on marine life. The involvement of law enforcement and the legal repercussions faced by the teens send a strong message about the seriousness of polluting the waters off the Florida coast. Hopefully, this incident will serve as a learning experience for all those involved and lead to greater efforts to protect Florida’s natural resources in the future.
