Indiana Conservation Officers will participate in the national Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement weekend on July 2 - 4.
Officers are in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the U.S. Coast Guard.
During those days, law enforcement agencies from across the country will be focused on educating boaters about safe boating practices, including sober boating. Indiana Conservation Officers will be working to increase public awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs, for boat operators and their passengers since alcohol is the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths.
Boaters during Independence Day weekend will notice an overall increase in officer patrols on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints.
The aim of these combined efforts is to remove impaired operators from our waterways, providing a safer and enjoyable experience for everyone on the water.
“The tragedies that happen on our waterways because individuals choose to boat while impaired are preventable,” says Indiana Boating Law Administrator Lt. Kenton Turner. “It is our job to do everything we can to ensure the safety of our recreational boaters and paddlers.”
Operating a vessel under the influence of drugs or alcohol is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries, death, property damage, and legal consequences.
Indiana Conservation Officers remind boaters to always boat sober and to wear a life jacket when on or around the water.
Visit operationdrywater.org or on.IN.gov/dnrlaw for more information about boating under the influence.
