43-foot boat runs aground on Martha's Vineyard, operator arrested

A man was arrested last week for being drunk while beaching a 43-foot boat on Martha's Vineyard, officials said.

Riley Blizard, 32, of Cotuit, was arrested for operating a boat under the influence of alcohol and negligent operation of a boat after failing field sobriety tests, state police said in a press release.

The incident occurred Friday evening when state police were notified around 9:40 p.m. that a large boat had run aground on Chappaquiddick Island, according to the release. The responding trooper identified the boat as a 43-foot Hinckley Sport Boat 40C.

Two men were on the boat at the time of the accident, state police said. The men told police a “navigation error” had been made, authorities said.

When the officer spoke to Blizard, who was operating the boat at the time of the accident, he “immediately recognized the signs of impairment,” the news release states.

The trooper took Blizard to a nearby road to give him field sobriety tests. Based on the testing, Blizzard was arrested and transported to the Dukes County Jail for booking, state police said.

Blizard was arraigned in Edgartown District Court, according to police.

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