HARTFORD, Conn. — Boating under the influence can no longer be ignored, as it factors significantly into incidents, crashes and deaths on waterways across the United States.
To curb boating under the influence, officials from local, state and federal agencies are collaborating as part of Operation Dry Water, a national campaign that is raising awareness and enforcing laws that prevent residents from boating while consuming drugs or alcohol.
According to a release from the Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection, DEEP is joining the state’s Environmental Conservation Police, local law enforcement and the U.S. Coast Guard in spreading the importance of Operation Dry Water.
Each agency will have officers on waterways throughout Connecticut providing enforcement and education about the dangers of boating while impaired, the release said.
Coinciding with the Fourth of July – a holiday known for increased activity on the water – the 2024 Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement period will occur later this week from July 4-6.
DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said in the release that the department is working to increase boater awareness of the dangers and risks associated with boating under the influence.
“Officers will be on the lookout for impaired boaters on Connecticut’s lakes, ponds and rivers, as well as Long Island Sound,” Dykes said in the release. “Boaters will notice an overall increase in officer patrols both on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints. Operation Dry Water aims to create a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water, providing boaters with a safe and enjoyable experience by removing impaired boaters from the waterways.”
EnCon Col. Chris Lewis reminded residents that alcohol can impair a boater’s judgement, balance, vision and reaction time with deadly consequences.
“Every year, we see tragic boating accidents that could have been avoided, had alcohol or drug use not been a factor,” Lewis said, in the release. “Operation Dry Water ensures that recreational boaters have a safe place to enjoy time with their family and friends.”
Like driving, operating a boat under the influence or alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead to serious injuries and consequences, the release said. In Connecticut, it is illegal to operate a boat with a blood alcohol content level of .08 or above – the same limit when operating a vehicle.
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DEEP boating statistics note that alcohol was a contributing factor in 21% of all boating accident fatalities in Connecticut between 2018 and 2023, according to the release.
While there will be an added focus next weekend, Operation Dry Water is a year-long boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign that is directed by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard.
According to the release, its mission is to reduce the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities by increasing recreational boater awareness and fostering a stronger, more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.
More information on boating laws and safe boating in Connecticut can be found here.
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Dalton Zbierski is a digital content producer and writer at FOX61 News. He can be reached at dzbierski@FOX61.com.
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