Video PSA courtesy National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
HONOLULU — The Coast Guard, in coordination with the Honolulu Police Department, will be participating in the 8th annual nationwide, multi-agency Boating Under the Influence education, detection and enforcement campaign Friday through Monday.
The Coast Guard will be on the water conducting boardings and educating the public about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol.
Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of BUI education and enforcement aimed at reducing alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities. Held each year during the weekend before the Fourth of July, Operation Dry Water is coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the states, the Coast Guard and other partner organizations.
The goal for Operation Dry Water is to significantly reduce the number of alcohol related accidents, injuries, and deaths among recreational boaters. Operation Dry Water directly supports a variety of objectives identified in the National Recreational Boating Safety Strategic Plan that focuses on reducing deaths and injuries nationally.
Boating under the influence is dangerous and illegal. Alcohol continues to be a leading cause in recreational boating related accidents, injuries and deaths. Alcohol is a contributing factor in 17 percent of all recreational boating deaths nationwide.
“Our primary goal is to educate boaters about the dangers of alcohol and drug use on the water. We’d like boaters to think twice before operating any type of watercraft if you’ve been drinking. This includes motorized boats, canoes, kayaks and paddleboards” said Ensign Brian Waters, public affairs officer for Coast Guard Sector Honolulu. “Overall, we want everyone to return home safe after a pleasant day on the water.”
The NASBLA is a national nonprofit organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. NASBLA offers a variety of resources including, training, model acts, education standards and publications. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, NASBLA affects the lives of over 83 million American boaters.
For more information about Operation Dry Water visit it on the web at www.operationdrywater.org or http://homeport.uscg.mil/honolulu.