Operation Dry Water highlights boating safety

7 years ago

AUGUSTA, Maine — Maine Game Wardens will be out in force this coming weekend participating in Operation Dry Water, a national outreach and enforcement campaign with the goal of raising awareness of the dangers of boating under the influence and removing impaired operators from our nation’s waterways.

Thousands of law enforcement officers across the United States will be on heightened alert for those violating boating under-the-influence laws during the annual Operation Dry Water this weekend, Friday, June 30, to Sunday, July 2, 2017. Operation Dry Water is a nationally coordinated heightened awareness and enforcement campaign, focused on deterring boaters from boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

In addition to drinking and boating enforcement, game wardens will be strictly enforcing laws pertaining to lifejacket possession and wearing for those recreating on the water. With nine recreational boating deaths on the water here in Maine already this year, enforcement of lifejacket use and alcohol consumption on the water remain top priorities for game wardens patrolling Maine’s waterways this summer.