Well, there is some crazy video going around. I mean, just take *** look at this and how fast this boat is going. It was all caught on camera as this boat was flying through *** manatee zone in Cape Coral. Turns out that boat was at the Englewood Beach water fest we just told you about. Gulf Coast news reporter Jackie Gunther was at Water Fest today speaking with the owner of the boat as this video goes viral. Last week we saw this boat racing through *** manatee zone, slow zone in Cape Coral. Now it’s here at the Englewood Beach Water Fest. I spoke with the owner of the boat who tells me he didn’t even know that it was *** slow zone. We were testing the boat for this event, um, and we ran through an area that was formerly not posted due to the the signage was missing and there was boats went ahead of us that were at speed and I kind of just followed along and ran through apparently it was *** reposted manatee zone. This is the video of Dale McKech. Driving his power boat through *** manatee zone in Cape Coral last week, which raised concerns for many residents, mainly because of the rise in manatee deaths in Lee County, Dale says he cares about the wildlife and he would not have done it if he knew it was *** protected area. I want to just let everybody know that we’re not recklessly. Hurting the creatures, but we will pay attention and not try to speed through *** man zone again. This weekend. Dale and his crew are racing that exact boat at the Englewood Beach Water Fest. He says that the boaters and organization take protecting wildlife seriously at events like these as well. I did want to point out in *** response to that, how the lengths that we do go to to protect sea life in this racing and this helicopter that’s flying right here. is actually looking for sea life, and they will stop the race if there’s anything threatened by racing activity. So it’s just in *** way to say that we recognize that these creatures are sensitive. Gal says that this is *** lesson learned. We’ll pay more attention and not do that again. Reporting at Englewood Beach, Jackie Gunther, Gulf Coast News.
Speeding boat in Cape Coral manatee zone racing at Waterfest as owner apologizes
Updated: 11:09 AM EDT Oct 12, 2025
Dale McEachern, who unknowingly sped through a manatee zone in Cape Coral last week, has apologized and emphasized his commitment to wildlife protection after the incident raised concerns among residents due to the area’s rise in manatee deaths. “We want to just let everybody know that we’re not recklessly hurting the creatures. But we will, we’ll pay attention and not try to speed throughout a manatee zone again,” he said.This weekend, McEachern and his crew are racing the same boat, Drink Kéló, at the Englewood Beach Waterfest, where he noted that both the boaters and the event organizers prioritize wildlife protection.”I wanted to point out the lengths that we do go to protect sea life in this racing. Helicopters fly looking for sea life, and they will stop the race if there’s anything threatened by racing activity,” McEachern said.Reflecting on the incident, McEachern acknowledged it as a learning experience.”We’ll pay more attention and not do that again,” he said.Clarification: An earlier version of this article displayed a thumbnail of a boat that said Montlick Injury Attorneys on it not related to the speeding incident. The boat involved was named Drink Kéló.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
ENGLEWOOD, Fla. —
Dale McEachern, who unknowingly sped through a manatee zone in Cape Coral last week, has apologized and emphasized his commitment to wildlife protection after the incident raised concerns among residents due to the area’s rise in manatee deaths.
“We want to just let everybody know that we’re not recklessly hurting the creatures. But we will, we’ll pay attention and not try to speed throughout a manatee zone again,” he said.
This weekend, McEachern and his crew are racing the same boat, Drink Kéló, at the Englewood Beach Waterfest, where he noted that both the boaters and the event organizers prioritize wildlife protection.
“I wanted to point out the lengths that we do go to protect sea life in this racing. Helicopters fly looking for sea life, and they will stop the race if there’s anything threatened by racing activity,” McEachern said.
Reflecting on the incident, McEachern acknowledged it as a learning experience.
“We’ll pay more attention and not do that again,” he said.
Clarification: An earlier version of this article displayed a thumbnail of a boat that said Montlick Injury Attorneys on it not related to the speeding incident. The boat involved was named Drink Kéló.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment, and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.