Tampa DUI While Boating

"What began as an Anclote River boat trip to watch the sunset nearly four years ago ended today with a 15-year prison sentence for the boat's driver, a Tarpon Springs father who killed his friend after crashing into a dock while drunk.

Matthew Aime, 26, was piloting a 14-foot aluminum johnboat before midnight on Nov. 17, 2005, when he veered onto mud flats and smashed into a dock. The collision paralyzed Robin Raihan, 50, who fell into the water with a broken back and drowned.

A jury found him guilty of boating under the influence manslaughter and reckless operation of a vessel April 30.

At his sentencing today, 13 people who identified themselves as cousins, construction supervisors, neighbors and best friends of Aime pleaded for leniency from Judge Cynthia Newton, calling the father of three a hard worker who never denied a request for help."

I posted earlier about the topic of Florida BUI, so won't get into a deep analysis here. See Florida DUI penalties for more information on what one might face for a boating DUI in FL.