As we approach the big holiday week it’s not just the roads that the police have their eyes on, they are keeping a watch on lakes and rivers all over the state.
“Operation Dry Water” launched nationwide today, locally the D.E.E.P. kicked it off by the Connecticut River in Old Lyme.
The imitative aims to crack down on “boating under the influence” and the D.E.E.P. is joining the Coast Guard, state and local police marine units to help keep the waterways safe during what is now “peak boating season”.
“We hope to educate and get the word out that boating under the influence is a serious issue,” said Captain Ryan Healy, from the State Environment Conservation Police.
“ Statistically, last year, 67 percent of the boating accidents that resulted in fatalities in Connecticut were alcohol related,” Captain Healy added.
Operation Dry Water runs through Sunday but the D.E.E.P. says regular boat patrols will continue throughout the summer.