BOSTON -- Boatloads of beer floated across a sea of green in South Boston on Sunday at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, but a crackdown on public drinking ensured smooth sailing along the parade route, police said.

NewsCenter 5’s Lynn Jolicoeur reported that a swarm of yellow-vested officers passed through the crowd during the parade, citing scofflaws sipping alcohol from open containers and quelling conflicts among parade-goers. This year, 600 officers were on duty at the parade -- a 50 percent increase over last year’s 400-member force.

Pam Manning, of Hanover, who has attended the parade for five years, said that she appreciated the stepped-up policing effort.

“You don’t want to see rowdiness,” said Manning. “You don’t want to see public drinking around, you know? It’s for the kids – it’s for family.”

South Boston resident Michael Kenney, who showed up to the parade with his young son and other family members, also applauded the efforts of police officers, who coordinated via radio throughout the afternoon to respond to incidents throughout South Boston.

“It is a family event,” said Kenney, who watched the event with his son. “We’re walking around with our son in our arms. They got to keep the control.”

Police said that 13 people were arrested at the parade for disorderly conduct and an additional 149 were issued citations for drinking in public. In total, the citations equal $29,800 in fines.

“We’ve got some good cooperation from the South Boston community,” said Supt. Dan Linskey. “People are calling us and letting us know through our party line when people are acting inappropriately. We have response squads in the neighborhoods that are dealing with people acting inappropriately.”

Ryan Hence, who was issued one of the $200 citations for public drinking, said that he understands the need to create a safe atmosphere at the event, but said he was not imperiling other parade-goers with his actions.

“I respect that, but at the same time, I’m not being too rowdy,” Hence said. “I’m just standing here.”

Boston police also created a buzz in social media circles this week when they announced that officers would provide live updates about the parade on the Web service Twitter, which allows users to communicate through 140-character messages.

As the parade snaked through the city, information officers used Twitter to update users about its progress and give details about potential problems as they arose.

“DECK COLLAPSE -- South Boston -- 519 E 5th, police on scene, fire and ems en route. PLEASE keep area clear for emergency vehicles,” read a message posted at about 1:00 p.m., after a parade-watcher was injured. Police also tipped off drivers to a traffic jam on Boston Street and notified parents that a lost child named Abby was waiting with officers in Andrews Square.

Police said they will continue to monitor the area near the parade route into the evening, as revelers begin to head back home after the festivities.