Minnesota’s Operation Dry Water part of nationwide effort to curb drunk boating

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Minnesota’s Operation Dry Water part of nationwide effort to curb drunk boating
(Released June 24, 2010)


Looking forward to relaxing on the boat this weekend with that ice chest full of cold beer? Better think again. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conservation officers and county sheriff’s deputies will be participating in Operation Dry Water on June 25-27.

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It’s part of a national weekend of boating under the influence (BUI) detection and enforcement aimed at reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities and fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.

The enforcement push will include boater education and increased patrols looking for boat operators whose blood alcohol concentration exceeds the .08 limit.

“There will be arrests this weekend, and some boaters will face the consequences of boating under the influence,” said Col. Jim Konrad, DNR Enforcement Division director. “But we’d much rather arrest someone than to have to tell their friends and family they’re never coming back.”

Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can also increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion. Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion, which are “stressors” common to the boating environment, intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs and some prescription medications. Thirty-percent of Minnesota boating fatalities in 2009 involved the use of alcohol. Impaired boaters who are caught can expect severe penalties, including heavy fines, loss of boat operating privileges and even jail time. Convictions go on a person’s auto driving record and insurance policy.

“We want people to have fun while boating,” Konrad said. “But BUI is a leading contributing factor in fatal recreational boating accidents. We recommend that people avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while boating, and we have zero tolerance for anyone found operating a boat under the influence of alcohol or drugs on Minnesota waters.”

Curbing the number of alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities is key to achieving a safer and more enjoyable environment for recreational boating.

Last summer, agencies and organizations from 46 states and five U.S. territories participated in the first Operation Dry Water weekend. During that three-day weekend, 2,442 marine law enforcement officers made contact with 17,454 recreational boats and issued 5,320 boating safety warnings, 283 BUI citations and 1,127 citations for other violations. This included 10
BUI arrests and convictions in Minnesota. This year, all states are expected to participate, searching for boat operators whose alcohol or drug impairment makes them a danger to other boaters.

Operation Dry Water is a joint program of the Minnesota DNR, Minnesota county sheriffs’ offices, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard.