MADISON, Wis. — Boaters should expect to see more Department of Natural Resources conservation wardens and local law enforcement on the water throughout Independence Day weekend, the DNR said.
The increase in water patrol July 1- 3 is part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign. Wardens and other participating law enforcement agencies will educate boaters about safe boating practices across the country, which includes sober boating.
According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Boating Safety Division, alcohol use is a leading factor in boating fatalities, and nearly 80% of fatal boating incidents involve drowning. Since Operation Dry Water started in 2009, law enforcement officers across the nation have taken action against 4,700 impaired operators, preventing dangerous and potentially devastating consequences.
If alcohol is involved in your day of boating, the DNR said to have a designated operator because operating a boat is no different from driving a car.
“0.08% is the legal limit for a vehicle on the road for alcohol [and] it is the same on the water,” Sgt. Kyle McNally with the Dane County Marine and Trail Enforcement said. “The goal is not necessarily to come out here and arrest people for OWI. The goal would be to have no one operating a boat while intoxicated.”
Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign with the purpose of reducing the number of alcohol and drug related incidents through increased recreational boater awareness.
“The common violation we find is people do have what they are supposed to have, but it is in a compartment, so they are supposed to be out and accessible to people,” McNally said.
Boaters can learn more about boating under the influence by visiting operationdrywater.org.
-
