Wisconsin boaters should expect more law enforcement on the water for July Fourth weekend

Wisconsin boaters can expect to see a greater presence of law enforcement officers and Department of Natural Resources conservation wardens while on the water this holiday weekend.

The Wisconsin DNR and participating law enforcement agencies are taking part in the national Operation Dry Water campaign from July 4-6.

Operation Dry Water seeks to educate boaters about, and enforce laws against, boating under the influence of drugs and alcohol. The three-day national enforcement campaign, organized by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, takes place annually around the Fourth of July. The holiday, along with Memorial and Labor days, are some of the summer's busiest boating days and, together, see more than one-third of all boating-related accidents and fatalities, according to the American Boating Association.

The Fourth of July is Wisconsin's busiest and most congested boating weekend, said Lt. Darren Kuhn, DNR Boating Law Administrator.

"One of the highest contributing factors for boating incidents are poor decisions, mostly based on alcohol being involved ...," Kuhn said. "We owe it to our boaters, we owe it to our citizens to try to keep our waterways safe just like State Patrol, police and sheriffs do on the highways."

Alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating deaths in the United States, Operation Dry Water states ― in cases where the primary cause was known, it was listed as the leading factor in 18% of deaths.

In Wisconsin and most other states, it is illegal to operate a boat with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.08% or higher.

Boating fatalities have been on the rise in Wisconsin

Last year marked Wisconsin's deadliest boating season; 2023 saw 28 fatalities from boating accidents, according to DNR reports.

In 27 of the 28 fatalities, the victims were not wearing a life jacket or personal flotation device, according to the DNR. Alcohol use by the boat operator was documented in 13 of the cases. As of June 10, Wisconsin has seen four boating fatalities in 2024.

There was an average of 18.7 fatal boating incidents annually on Wisconsin waters from 2013 to 2022, ranging from the previous record highs of 25 in 2018 and 2021 to lows of nine in 2015 and 2020, according to the DNR's 2023 recreational safety report.

A total of 117 boating crashes were reported in Wisconsin in 2023, the third-highest on recent record after 134 in 2020 and 119 in 2021.

Wisconsin has been participating in Operation Dry Water for at least a decade, and Kuhn said officials are starting to see some positive movement on the issue of boating while intoxicated. For example, more people are designating sober captains.

"But, it's a tough battle due to the simple fact that, generally speaking, people are not trying to get intoxicated, they're just not aware of how alcohol affects them on the water and outdoors ...," Kuhn said. "Alcohol affects people so much differently outside, with the waves and the sun beating down on them. What might be a safe level on dry land is not the same amount on a boat."

Boating safety tips

The DNR and Operation Dry Water offer these boating safety tips:

• Sign up now to take an online boater education course.
• Get a free vessel safety check. Visit the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary webpage for more information about scheduling a safety check.
• Always wear a properly fitted and fastened life jacket when on or near the water. A life jacket will keep you on top of the water if you walk off an unexpected drop-off, a wave or current overpower you, or you fall out of a boat.
• Enjoy the waters sober and know your limits. Alcohol blurs a person's judgment, reaction time and abilities.
• Check your boat lights before going out on the water after sunset. Remember, boat lights aren't there to help the captain see, they're there to help other boats see you, Kuhn said. Be cautious and slow down in the dark.
• River shorelines and sandbars pose unseen dangers. Higher, fast-moving water can tax an individual's boating, paddling and swimming skills.
• Keep an eye on the weather and always tell someone where you are going.
• Create a float plan and tell people when and where you plan to depart and return before going for a float or paddle.
• Bring these boating essentials: life jackets; throwable floatation aids; visual distress signals; sound-producing devices like a whistle, horn or bell; engine cut-off device; emergency locator device; emergency boating kit and drinking water.

More safety information can be found in the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators' online safety brochure.

Which Wisconsin agencies are participating in Operation Dry Water?

Boaters will see an overall increase in officer patrols on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints from Thursday, July 4, to Saturday, July 6.

These Wisconsin law enforcement agencies are participating in Operation Dry Water:

Altoona Police Department, Barron County Sheriff's Department, Brown County Sheriff's Office, Dane County Sheriff's Office, Dodge County Sheriff's Office, Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Office, Geneva Lake Law Enforcement Agency, Green Bay Police Department, Hartford Township Police Department, Lauderdale Lakes Law Enforcement Patrol, Marathon County Sheriff's Office, Marinette County Sheriff's Office, Portage County Sheriff's Office, Rock County Sheriff's Office, St. Croix County Sheriff's Office, St. Croix National Scenic Riverway, Town of East Troy Police, Town of Merton Police Department, Town of Rome Police Department, Town of Waterford Police Department, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, USCG Station Bayfield, USCG Station Green Bay, USCG Station Kenosha, USCG Station Milwaukee, USCG Station Sheboygan, Village of Lake Delton Police Department, Village of Pewaukee, Walworth County Sheriff's Office, Waukesha County Sheriff, Whitman County Sheriff's Office, Winnebago County Sheriff's Office, and Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Paul Smith contributed to this report.