Lee Sheriff’s Office: “Operation Dry Water”
Deputies with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit will join other local, state and federal law enforcement officers this weekend, June 25-27, for Operation Dry Water 2010, the second annual national crackdown on those Boating Under the Influence of alcohol or drugs. Safety inspections will be conducted and violators of wake and speed zones, careless operation, BUI will be cited or charged accordingly. It’s hoped by publicizing the upcoming operation boaters become more alert and will obey the laws.
Vessel owners and operators are reminded to conduct their own safety inspections to include checking navigation / anchor lights, fire extinguishers and assuring the proper number of USCG approved lifejackets before disembarking.
Citizens can help by letting us know if they observe aggressive or impaired boat operators and by their compliance with the rules of the water. To get in touch with one of our marine deputies call 477-1000. If you see reckless or drunk boat operators dial 9-1-1 or use VHF Channel 16.
Boaters, please remember to wear your personal flotation device and be courteous to one another.
Operation Dry Water, launched in 2009 by National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the United States Coast Guard, has been a highly successful effort to draw public attention to the hazards of BUI. Operation Dry Water is a national weekend of 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.
According to the most recent U.S. Coast Guard statistics, Boating Under the Influence is still the leading contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, with 17 percent of boating fatalities a direct result of alcohol or drug use. In 2008, more than two-thirds of those who died in recreational boating accidents drowned; 90 percent of those who drowned were not wearing a life jacket. In accidents where the level of boat operator instruction is known, nearly 80 percent of fatalities occur in accidents where the operator has not received boating safety instruction.
Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold-water immersion. Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion – “stressors” common to the boating environment intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs, and some prescription medications. Authorities contend that this BUI crackdown is just as important to public safety as the enforcement of drunk driving laws. Alcohol is also dangerous for passengers. Intoxication can lead to slips, falls overboard and other dangerous accidents.
Agencies and organizations from 46 states and 5 territories participated in the first ever Operation Dry Water, in June 2009. Over that three-day weekend, 2,442 marine law enforcement officers made contact with 17,454 recreational vessels and issued 5,320 boating safety warnings, 283 BUI citations and 1,127 citations for other violations.
The Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit is dedicated to promoting boating safety and enforcing the law on local waterways everyday. Again, vessel owners and operators are reminded to routinely conduct their own safety inspections to include checking navigation / anchor lights, fire extinguishers and assuring the proper number of USCG approved lifejackets before disembarking. It’s hoped by publicizing operations, such as this weekend’s, boaters stay alert and adhere to the laws governing our waterways.
For more information on Operation Dry Water, visit operationdrywater.org.