Operation Dry Water is a national campaign developed through the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard to reduce impaired boating incidents year-round. The campaign includes heightened enforcement on the water during the busy July 4 holiday.
An increased public presence on the water often leads to an increase in boating incidents and fatalities. Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in recreational boater deaths.
It is unlawful to operate a recreational vessel with an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, or while being appreciably impaired by alcohol, drugs or other impairing substances. During last year’s campaign, NCWRC deployed 153 law enforcement officers and removed 43 people from the water who were boating while impaired. So far this year, 62 boating incidents have occurred in North Carolina, nine of which were fatal. Last year in North Carolina, boating incidents resulted in 26 fatalities. NCWRC law enforcement reminds boaters to always operate vessels sober and for boaters to wear a life jacket when on or around the water.
Learn more at NCWRC’s boating safety webpage at ncwildlife.gov.