NEW ORLEANS - With the recreational boating season in full swing, the Eighth Coast Guard District is ramping up its enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on boating under the influence.
The nationwide awareness and enforcement campaign, Operation Dry Water, is a partnership of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard with a mission of putting an end to impaired boating. The goal of Operation Dry Water is to raise awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence and to reduce the number of accidents and deaths attributed to impaired boating.
June 24 to 26, 2016, just prior to the July 4th holiday, law enforcement nationwide will show zero tolerance for boating under the influence. Boaters can expect to see an increase in the numbers of officers on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints. The goal of all law enforcement involved is to remove impaired operators from the waterways and secure a safe and enjoyable boating experience for those on the water.
"We know there will be a lot of boaters out enjoying the warmer weather and we want boaters to know we will be out making sure the water stays safe for them to enjoy," said Ed Huntsman, Coast Guard boating safety official. "Just as drinking and driving on the road is illegal and dangerous, we want to emphasize that drinking and boating is equally as dangerous and can lead to equal consequences as well, including arrests, termination of voyage, serious injuries and even death."
Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths in the United States. Whether a person is operating a car on the road, or a boat on the water, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and can lead to serious consequences for operators and passengers alike. In the 26 states that make up the Eighth Coast Guard District, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration level of .08 or higher – the same as it is to operate a vehicle. Huntsman went on to say “If you are found to be impaired and operating a boat we’ll be looking for you. And if we find you, you will be arrested.”
Visit operationdrywater.org or uscgboating.org for more information about boating under the influence.