Operation Dry Water: Police Fight Drinking And Boating

From the Waukesha County Sheriff's Department: July 7, the Waukesha County Sheriff’s Department in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) will be promoting safety and awareness while enforcing impaired boating as part of the national Operation Dry Water campaign.

During the campaign, boaters will notice an increase in the number of officers on water who will be focusing on keeping boaters safe by cracking down on boating under the influence. The goals of the program include:

• Increasing boater awareness as to the hazards of boating under the influence
• Removing impaired operators
• Decreasing accidents and deaths attributed to impaired boating and unsafe boating practices
• Providing safe and enjoyable experiences while on the water

Alcohol impairs judgment and reaction time on the water just as is does when driving a car, even more so because of the added stressors of sun, heat, wind, and noise on a boat. Consuming alcohol while boating puts the people in your boat as well as other community members around you at risk. The Sheriff’s Department will remove anyone operating a vessel impaired in order to keep everyone safe.

Tips to staying safe on the water this summer:

• Boat sober
• Wear your life jacket
• Take a boating safety education course
• Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs can lead to serious injuries and consequences. In Wisconsin waters, it is illegal to operate a vessel impaired and you will be arrested.

Visit OperationDryWater.org for more information about boating under the influence.