The Brief
- Officers Emrich and Eades were rinsing their boat after a patrol when a curious manatee approached the dock to drink the freshwater runoff.
- While the interaction was charming, the officers emphasized that providing fresh water to manatees is harmful, as it trains them to approach boats and puts them at risk of strikes.
- Despite the manatee “trespassing,” the officers skipped the citation and waited for her to leave on her own terms.
BRADENTON, Fla. – Bradenton Marine Unit Officers Emrich and Eades were finishing their patrol and rinsing down their vessel when a surprise “dock inspector” stopped by for a quick drink.
The backstory:
This curious manatee didn’t bother asking for permission before helping herself to the freshwater runoff.…