An investigation is underway after a group of spring breakers in Florida were caught dumping bags of rubbish off their boat and into the sea during the annual Boca Bash event.

Footage taken of the red-handed revellers, who were leaving the gathering on Sunday (28 April 2024), was shared online and quickly went viral, with the internet sharing collective outrage.

The footage, taken by Wavy Boats, shows the passengers pouring a large number of bottles and cans into the water as they cheer.

“It just really infuriates you to see someone trash the ocean like that,” local boater Rodrigo Samsing told news outlet WSVN. “You know, nobody else on the boat tried to stop them. Everybody was just celebrating.”

Florida‘s annual Boca Bash attracts up to 10,000 people who take to the sea for the infamously boozy event.

There was no apparent need for the boaters to dump the rubbish, Samsing adds. “I mean they already had the trash sitting in the garbage can, they could have just put a bag, grabbed a bag, filled it up and thrown it away. Instead, they just dump it carelessly into the ocean. It’s just really sad to see.”

According to federal law, boaters are not permitted to dispose of rubbish from a boat while in rivers, lakes, bays, sounds or offshore within three miles of shore.

WSVN reports that the group have been ID’d by Boca Bash organisers, based on the footage, while local police and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have opened an investigation.

Boca Bash adds: “It is irresponsible boaters like this that have zero care for our oceans that give this event a bad reputation.”

While many online sleuths have been attempting to name and shame the group, the culprits have not been charged or officially identified.

One outraged commenter on Instagram said: “Money can buy boats, but definitely not class. Absolutely disgusting,” while another added: “This should at minimum be a $10,000 fine.”

Separately, Boca News Now reported that 20 people were arrested during this year’s gathering near Boca Raton, with charges including boating under the influence.

The party attracts thousands of boats, and generates headlines every year for alleged bad behaviour. In 2018, the Boca Bash turned tragic when a 32-year-old man drowned.

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