Crime & Safety
Statewide Drunk Boating Patrol Emphasis This Weekend In WA
Agencies from the U.S. Coast Guard to Seattle police will be involved in this weekend's Operation Dry Water emphasis.
SEATTLE, WA — Whether you're jet skiing across Lake Coeur d'Alene or fishing on Puget Sound, law enforcement will be out this weekend looking for people drinking while boating.
More than 50 local and federal law enforcement agencies will be out during Operation Dry Water July 6 to 7. That includes agencies from Bonney Lake police to the U.S. Coast Guard station out in Grays Harbor.
According to the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, boating under the influence (BUI) — the nautical version of DUI — is the No. 1 cause of boating deaths.
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One such tragedy happened off Vashon Island in April. Justin Hagerty, 28, was piloting a 20-foot motorboat when he plowed into a yacht parked at Dockton Park Marina. Hagerty, who police say had been drinking, was thrown from the boat and killed. Five passengers on board his boat were injured.
The blood-alcohol content limit for boating is also the same as driving at .08.
Find out what's happening in Across Washingtonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Head to the Operation Dry Water website for a full list of Washington police department participating in this weekend's emphasis.
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