The Department of Natural Resources warns boaters of the increase of law enforcement and DNR wardens on the water for the upcoming holiday weekend.
This will be, in part, thanks to the national Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign that holds its “heightened awareness and enforcement” three-day weekend from July 4 to July 6.
The DNR states that alcohol use is a leading factor in recreational boating fatalities and 6,869 impaired boat operators have been removed since Operation Dry Water’s inception in 2009.
Just like driving a car, boating while impaired is illegal.
No one with a blood alcohol content higher the 0.08% is permitted to operate a vessel on the water.
The DNR also stresses the importance of life jackets, especially if consuming alcohol while on the water. 85% of recreational boating drownings involve a person not wearing a life preserver.
For more information on Operation Dry Water and what to expect on the holiday weekend, visit the DNR website.
