Agencies step up patrol on Disappearing Island

Disappearing Island on the Intracoastal Waterway may seem barren with only seagulls on it now.

But it’s a magnet for people celebrating a holiday weekend.

It has also drawn tragedy the past two holiday weekends.

"That's a really unregulated place, which kinda' is the draw," said Captain Scott Petersohn, Volusia County Beach Patrol.

A couple died recently when they anchored on the island during Independence Day.

They spent the night with their generator on and died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Before that, a father and daughter celebrating the Memorial Day with friends and family were struck by a boat when it went airborne and landed on the two.

The daughter was nine months pregnant.

Because of these two incidents, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is launching a campaign called "Don't Rock the Boat." The campaign is aimed at getting people to slow down.

Coast Guard, Volusia County Beach Patrol, FWC and the Volusia County Sheriff's Office will beef up patrol in the area.

"There will be concentration on Disappearing Island because that's a popular party spot for people to go," said MK Joshua Fields, U.S. Coast Guard.

"We have an extra person on our boat, a swimmer, EMT that we could drop off on other boats," Petersohn said.

Officials will be looking out for any violations, including speeding and boaters under the influence.

This multi-agency task force is also letting boaters know they not only must have life vests, but wear them as well.

The spokesman for the Coast Guard says they will also be assisting Beach Patrol with any rip current issues, which are expected to be dangerous this weekend.