HADDAM, Conn. — This holiday weekend, officers across the state and country are out on the water, working on a national campaign called Operation Dry Water. It’s an initiative to cut down on boating under the influence.
In Connecticut, officers from the state Department of Energy & Environmental Protection (DEEP), Environmental Conservation Police, local law enforcement and the United States Coast Guard are taking part in the enforcement efforts.
“We just make sure that everyone out here who is enjoying the water is doing so safely,” said Conservation Officer Tyler Johnson with EnCon Police.
Johnson is one of many members of law enforcement out on the water this Fourth of July. As he’s assigned to the eastern district, he’s covering his bases near the Haddam Meadows Boat Launch.
“The next four, five days are really some of the busiest days we have on the water for the entire season,” Johnson said. “We’re looking out for drunk boaters because most of our water fatalities involve alcohol.”
DEEP reports that alcohol was a contributing factor in 21% of all boating deaths from 2018 to 2023. In Connecticut, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content level of 0.08 or above, which is the same as the limit when operating a vehicle.
“It’s a misdemeanor, so they’ll be arrested. Their boating license can get suspended, there’s a hearing process for them to get their boating license back,” Johnson said.
While he's out on the water, Johnson is looking for other violations, too.
“Each vessel has to have a life jacket on board and accessible for everyone who’s on the vessel. Children under the age of 13 need to be wearing that life jacket at all times,” Johnson said. “Operators have to ride in front, and their passengers have to ride behind them. So, you can’t have a child in front of you, and that child has to be able to safely have both feet on the deck, and be able to hold on on their own.”
Johnson said one of the most common violations he sees is people not adhering to no wake zones.
“Because if you look back at the launch, if a large wake hits one of them as they’re either docking or retrieving their boat, it causes damage, people can fall into the water,” Johnson said.
All rules exist to reduce the risk for boating accidents or tragedies, according to Johnson.
“The water is unforgiving, and it’s not like a car where if you hit something, ‘Oh yeah, your car stops right there,’" Johnson said. "I mean, your boat will drift away from you really quickly and if you’re not properly prepared for it, things can go south pretty quickly.”
For a refresher on boating laws in Connecticut, visit this site.
Julia LeBlanc is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at jleblanc@fox61.com Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
---
Do you have a story idea or something on your mind you want to share? We want to hear from you! Email us at newstips@fox61.com.
---
HERE ARE MORE WAYS TO GET FOX61 NEWS
Download the FOX61 News APP
iTunes: Click here to download
Google Play: Click here to download
Stream Live on ROKU: Add the channel from the ROKU store or by searching FOX61.
Stream Live on FIRE TV: Search ‘FOX61’ and click ‘Get’ to download.