Man Who Ran 43-Foot Boat Onto Land Was Drunk, Cops Say

The man driving the boat blamed a 'navigational error'

Intoxicated Boater Runs 43 Foot Boat Aground
Police say an intoxicated boater and his passenger ran the 43-foot boat aground on Martha's Vineyard. Massachusetts State Police

Police in Massachusetts say an intoxicated boater ran a 43-foot boat out of the water and onto the beach on Martha's Vineyard.

Stunning photos released by the state police showed the Hinckley Sport Boat 40C sitting on sand along the shoreline.

The Massachusetts State Police says Dukes County dispatch notified them of an intoxicated male running a boat aground on Friday evening.

Trooper Zachary Bolcome arrived at Chappaquiddick Island and immediately located the stranded vessel.

Intoxicated Boater Runs 43 Foot Boat Aground
Massachusetts State Police

Bolcome questioned the two men who had been on the boat during the time of the accident. They claimed it was a navigational error.

The trooper spoke to the operator of the boat, Riley Blizard, 32, of Cotuit, and says he instantly recognized signs of impairment.

Blizard and his passenger were both given field sobriety tests.

Intoxicated Boater Runs 43 Foot Boat Aground
Massachusetts State Police

Based on the results of the tests, Blizard was placed under arrest and transported to the Dukes County Jail for booking.

He was scheduled to be arraigned at Edgartown District Court on two charges: operating a boat under the influence of liquor and negligent operation of a boat.

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