OPERATION DRY WATER
Campaign aims to educate boaters about dangers of boating under the inf luence
SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. » Operation Dry Water is underway to educate boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
The annual Operation Dry Water is a coordinated campaign between the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators along with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office and the Prevention Council of Saratoga County.
Throughout this boating season, boaters can expect to see an increase in outreach, education and enforcement surrounding boating under the influence.
Outreach partners and volunteers will be out on the water and at marinas in Saratoga County, working collaboratively with law enforcement to educate boaters about safe boating practices. Law enforcement will also be detecting and removing impaired operators from the water.
Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor in boating accidents, according to the 2018 U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics.
The mission of Operation Dry Water is to reduce the number of alcohol- and drug-related incidents and fatalities on the water.
The Prevention Council of Saratoga County will be out educating boaters on ways to stay safe while on the water, which includes always boating sober and avoiding any alcohol or drug use prior to and while boating.
“Getting out on the water is an enjoyable and relaxing activity for many. We have partnered with Operation Dry Water this summer to help keep boaters safe by educating operators and passengers on the dangers of boating under the influence,” Janine Stuchin, executive director of the Prevention Council, said in a press release. “Staying sober while boating is a critical part of boating safely.
No matter where one is boating, it is illegal to operate a boat under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the release said.
In 2019, law enforcement officers across the nation issued a total of 9,524 citations and removed 563 impaired operators from the country’s waterways, according to the release.
“The Prevention Council of Saratoga County is urging boaters to enjoy this boating season and help keep everyone safe by not drinking alcohol while on the water, or operating a boat after you have consumed alcohol. Use of both legal and illegal drugs also impairs judgment and reaction time and makes it dangerous to operate any vessel,” the release said.
Boaters can learn more about boating under the influence by visiting PreventionCouncil.org or operationdrywater.org.