Drunk Clearwater captain fell off boat while 30 people were attending tour: Police

CLEARWATER, Fla. - A 53-year-old boat captain was arrested and charged with boating under the influence on Friday afternoon, according to the Clearwater Police Department.

Witnesses told law enforcement that John Edward Beckwith, the captain of the Clearwater Fun Boat, was impaired to the point where he fell off the vessel just before 2 p.m. Police say when they spoke to employees on the boat they were told that Beckwith arrived at work stumbling and had food all over his face.

According to officers, the boat Beckwith was working on had 30 people attending a boat tour.

Courtesy: Pinellas County Sheriffs Office

Authorities say Beckwith performed poorly on the field sobriety exercises and provided a breath sample of 0.118 and 0.115. The blood alcohol limit for boating is 0.08 in Florida.

READ: Man convicted 18 years after DUI crash on I-4 in Polk County caused serious injuries

Clearwater police say Beckwith's breath smelled like alcohol, he was unbalanced, and his eyes were bloodshot.

Beckwith has prior DUI convictions in Michigan and Arizona, according to law enforcement.

Officials say the incident is being investigated by the Clearwater Police Department and the Coast Guard.

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