Loíza – Behind businesses on the coast of Piñonesin this municipality, several “jet-skis” floated this Saturday in the water, obeying the direction of the arrow in a sign on the shore. The aquatic motor, however, were invading a designated area for bathers.
“Someone turned it. The arrow is supposed to be looking to the right, which tells us that, from the arrow to the right, it is area of bathers and, to the other side, it is for vessels, where they can do that the swimmer crossing the other side “explained the watchman Richard Maldonadofrom a new 34 -foot boat, acquired by the Natural and Environmental Resources Department (DRNA).
The poster in the area had been changed to the direction to confuse or try to deceive the authorities, to dock the water motor in a forbidden area, he said.
Maldonado, with 21 years of experience, instructed the bikers who had to leave the area, because the poster had been changed. He even warned them that being in that area of bathers could lead to a fine.
“It is the first time that I see that (change of the sign), at least, in my area. We are always telling them that they have to move.”said Maldonado, of the Maritime Unit of Piñones, on article 7.7 of the Navigation and Aquatic Safety Law.
One of the bikers, Juan Carlos Maldonado, He said that they had stopped in the bathers area for a “confusion”, but understood the warnings, so they collaborated with the guards. “They are doing their job”the man shared, who enjoyed the sunny day with his family in several aquatic motor, after the check of his security equipment was made.
This exchange was part of the preventive round that the vigilantes of the maritime zone of Piñones perform daily. The day, which began at 9:30 am, covered areas such as Isla Verde, the County Lagoon, the Bay of San Juan and El Morro.
“The vigilantes intervene with the people verifying that they have the security teams up to date, such as the marbete. That is what it is, to guide the people, and that they are aware of navigating safe,” the DRNA navigation commissioner shared, for their part, the DRNA navigation commissioner, Luis Márquez.
The boat that the agency recently acquired reaches a speed of around “60 knots in the water”, that is, that can navigate up to 70 miles per hour. “Four vessels come out there, and the secretary (Waldemar Quiles) wants to have two vessels for each region”he said.
In another intervention in the San Juan Bay, the guards reviewed the license and security equipment – such as the Bengal Lights for an emergency case – of two other “Jet Skis”.
“It is the first time I throw (the aquatic motor) here, in the bay, and it is very good what the classmates do, because they maintain security. And to the people who are not very expert, they can guide them. The initiative is very good and have been very friendly”he commented Javier Quiñonesone of the intervened.
Maldonado, the vigilante, explained to Quiñones that the sunset this Saturday was 6:45 pm, because the DRNA prohibits the use of “jet skis” at night, according to the Regulation 6979which imposes a fine of $ 200 per violation.
An hour later, the officers intercepted another boat, in which the Nauta was with his son, who had a child life. “The security equipment is being verified, which is our priority. Everything was fine, but it did not have the life life IV, which is thrown when someone falls outboard. Every boat of 16 feet or more has to have an IV type, apart from the personal lifeguards”Maldonado explained.
Unlike popcorn and icacos in the east, the maritime unit of pinions has not imposed fines for “spokesperson” or excessive noises in the water. The Administrative order 2025-02 of DRNA prohibits this modality of noise and establishes administrative fines of up to $ 25,000 per violation.
“It has been a great help and has improved a lot, both in Palominos and Icacos. The guards are doing the job, in coordination the Coast Guard (United States Coast Guard),” said Márquez.