State Patrol to Target Tipsy Skippers During Seafair

 on Lake Washington will be the focus of the Washington State Patrol during Seafair festivities Aug. 5-7, according to a press release from the agency.

One of the largest impaired boating emphasis efforts in the nation is being organized by the Washington State Patrol’s Impaired Driving Section and the . 

The participating agencies involved will include the Mercer Island Police & Marine Patrol, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Seattle Police & Harbor Patrol, King County Sherriff’s Office Marine Patrol, United States Coast Guard, and the Washington State Patrol.

This year’s base for the effort will once again be at  on Mercer Island. To accommodate the marine patrol units, a temporary 60-foot dock will be located at the site. In addition, the Mobile Impaired Driving Unit will be on site. It is equipped with three breathalyzer instruments, two holding cells and serves as a command vehicle to coordinate with the various law enforcement jurisdictions participating in the emphasis.

To ensure safety at the scene, several large fenced detention facilities will be located to accommodate subjects arrested for boating under the influence, minor in possession or consumption of alcohol, and other violations. Several troopers or officers will be assigned to work security posts at these locations throughout the event. A prisoner support vehicle will be utilized to transport those persons arrested to the appropriate jail facility.

Additional DUI patrols will be scheduled throughout the weekend. They will focus their efforts on the roadways leading to and from the event. In addition there will be drug recognition experts available for drug impairment evaluations.

To assist in case preparation and any legal issues that may arise, members of the King County Prosecutors office will be on site to assist in the processing of the arrestees. Trained law enforcement officers and troopers are equipped to remove any vessel from Lake Washington if it is determined that it’s driver or passengers are impaired and cannot continue to operate it in a safe manner.

In 2008 during Seafair weekend, 83 boating under the influence and 47 DUI arrests were made in King County.

In 2009 during Seafair weekend, 110 boating under the influence and 53 DUI arrests were made. Also, seven minor in possession arrests were made and 688 vessels were contacted. No major boating collisions occurred.

In 2010 during the Seafair weekend, 463 vessels were contacted with 59 boating under the influence arrests and 3 counts of reckless endangerment of a minor. On King County roadways, 54 DUI arrests were made.

It is estimated that between 20,000 and 30,000 boats will participate in this year’s Seafair event on Lake Washington. The number of attendees could exceed 350,000 people, making it the most popular summer event in Seattle.

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Information for this report came from the .