Operation Dry Water

operation dry water participation map Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of Boating Under the Influence (BUI) detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.

Held during the summer boating season and coordinated by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators—with the states, the U.S. Coast Guard and other partner agencies—Operation Dry Water directly addresses the National Recreational Boating Safety Strategic Plan Strategy 6.2 to “increase the number of BUI checkpoints to collect and report BUI and safety compliance data in the Performance Report Part II,” as well as Strategy 6.6 to “challenge law enforcement officials to test more operators for alcohol/drug use in accident investigations.”

Curbing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities is key to achieving a safer and more enjoyable environment for recreational boating. According to the most recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics, Boating Under the Influence is still the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, with 17 percent of boating fatalities a direct result of alcohol or drug use.

When is it?

Operation Dry Water is held the last weekend in June prior to the Fourth of July holiday. This year the ODW weekend is June 25-27.

Who is coordinating this?

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), working with the states, the U.S. Coast Guard and other partner agencies, coordinates the event.

What is NASBLA?

The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national nonprofit organization that helps to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories.

What does my agency need to do to participate?

Participating agencies are asked to increase BUI enforcement during the targeted weekend. This can be done by focusing on a particular body of water, by increasing patrols in several locations, by conducting BUI checkpoints in one or more locations or through a combination of these activities. Agencies are also asked to work with their local media to make the public aware of the event and the hazards of Boating Under the Influence of alcohol and drugs.

Is there any additional funding for this?

There is no additional funding available for agencies to participate in Operation Dry Water, but this does qualify as an allowable law enforcement and outreach expense in recreational boating safety state grants. Also, the U.S. Coast Guard Boating Safety Division has again agreed to provide funding assistance for communication and outreach efforts.

What kind of communications and outreach support is available?

NASBLA and the U.S. Coast Guard, working in partnership, have created an electronic press kit, radio public service announcements, an electronic newsletter and a national media release, all downloadable on the website. A BUI Checkpoint Plan of Operations has also been developed by NASBLA’s Enforcement & Training Committee. Agencies are encouraged to share ideas and information as well.

What’s next?

Agencies planning to again participate in Operation Dry Water should:

Save the date of June 25-27 and make plans to implement their increased BUI efforts that weekend.

Let NASBLA know you will be an Operation Dry Water participating agency by emailing Ron Sarver at ron@nasbla.org. Sarver will advise you on materials and outreach.

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Join the cause – add Operation Dry Water to your Facebook profile. Sign up to follow Operation Dry Water on Twitter, the real-time short messaging service.National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
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Click here to download the Operation Dry Water Newsletter.

Operation Dry Water is a nationwide event. In 2009, agencies and organizations from 46 States and 5 Territories took part. You can download a list of this year's participant here. PDF

Boating Under the Influence (BUI) is dangerous and illegal. According to 2008 Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics, 17 percent of fatal boating accidents are a result of boat operators using alcohol or drugs.

Operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 percent  or higher is against most State and Federal laws. If marine law enforcement finds that a boat operator is BUI, the vessel's voyage  will be terminated, the boat may be impounded and the operator may be  arrested. Penalties may include fines, imprisonment, impoundment of the boat, loss of boating privileges, even loss of driving privileges.

Alcohol and many drugs can impair a boater's judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. Alcohol can increase fatigue and susceptibility to hypothermia. Sun, wind, noise, vibration and movement – “stressors” common to the boating environment – intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs and some prescribed and over-the-counter medications.

USCG
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a nonprofit organization that helps to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories and offers a The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators 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, the organization affects the lives of more than 83 million American boaters. To learn more about NASBLA, visit www.nasbla.org.

USCG

The United States Coast Guard is a military, multi-mission, maritime service within the Department of Homeland Security and one of the nation's five armed services. Its core roles are to protect the public, the environment, and U.S. economic and security interests in any maritime region in which those interests may be at risk, including international waters and America's coasts, ports, and inland waterways.