(Undated)– State, federal and local law enforcement agencies are encouraging boaters to avoid alcohol and drugs while on the water. Susan Stocker, boating law administrator and education coordinator for the Iowa DNR, says they’ll be conducting a special enforcement campaign again this year over the 4th of July holiday weekend. She says it’s called “Operation Dry Water”…
“Traditionally approximately one-third of all the boating fatalities involve alcohol and unfortunately sometimes and more often in Iowa our numbers can reach up to over 50 percent of our boating fatalities involve alcohol. So that is one of the leading factors to the fatalities.”
Stocker says you can expect to see an increased presence of law enforcement on the water as part of the operation…
“We always have our officers on the water and we have our seasonal water patrol officers, so they will certainly be out in force and being sure that everybody is able to play it safe, stay sober, and be alert.”
Stocker notes being on the water amplifies the affects of alcohol…
“Unfortunately even though everybody is surrounded by water when they’re out boating they often do not drink enough water and so they become dehydrated. And then when you add the wind and the sun and the glare, those environmental stressors can add and or enhance the affects of the alcohol.”
She adds it’s important not just the boat operator, but the passengers as well, have their head on a swivel…
“As the operator and/or the passengers, everybody can assist by making sure that you’re looking all around for any boats that might be coming toward you or watching the buoys. And with the water that we’ve had, the increased rains, you may find some floating debris that might also play havoc for boaters out there, so just be extra watchful out there on the water to be safe.”
Operation Dry Water will be taking place Friday, July 4th, through Sunday, July 6th.
