The three-day Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement weekend will be taking place nationwide July 1 - 3, 2023. The year-round campaign raises awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI) and reminds boaters that impaired boating by both the operator and passengers is dangerous and can cause serious injury and fatalities.
LEXINGTON, Ky., June 22, 2023 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As the summer boating season ramps up, law enforcement agencies across the country are intensifying their efforts to combat impaired boating as part of Operation Dry Water. The year-round campaign raises awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence (BUI) and reminds boaters that impaired boating by both the operator and passengers is dangerous and can cause serious injury and fatalities. Officers will be on amplified alert to enforce boating under the influence laws as part of the Operation Dry Water (ODW) heightened awareness and enforcement weekend, July 1 – 3, 2023.
To kick off the Operation Dry Water weekend, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC), in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, will host the national launch event in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Thursday, June 29, 2023. The press event will begin at 10:30 AM (ET) at Point State Park.
"Operation Dry Water serves as a crucial reminder that safe boating requires clear judgment and responsible decision-making. We encourage all boaters to be vigilant, prioritize their safety, and stay sober while enjoying their time on the water," says NASBLA Chair Susan Stocker. "This press event serves as an opportunity to highlight the risks associated with boating under the influence for both operators and passengers. By raising awareness and enforcing the message that alcohol and drug impairment is no longer acceptable on the water, we can work towards a safer and more enjoyable boating experience for all."
Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater fatalities, and a leading factor in recreational boating incidents.* Over the course of the Operation Dry Water weekend, law enforcement officers will intensify their patrols on waterways, increasing their presence and engaging with boaters to provide education about the risks associated with boating while impaired. By combining outreach, awareness, and enforcement efforts, Operation Dry Water aims to minimize alcohol- and drug-related incidents and create a safer boating environment for everyone.
Since the launch of the Operation Dry Water campaign, 6,152 impaired operators have been removed from our nation's waterways, preventing dangerous and potentially tragic consequences. Officers have also contacted over 2.5 million boaters during the annual three-day weekend as part of the outreach campaign. In 2022, 630 agencies from every state and territory participated in Operation Dry Water. For more information about Operation Dry Water visit http://www.operationdrywater.org.
###
Operation Dry Water (ODW) is produced under a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and is a product of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
*2022 U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics.
Media Contact
Taylor Matsko, National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, 859-225-9487, [email protected]
SOURCE Operation Dry Water
Share this article