Tennessee law enforcement will be on water in force for Fourth of July weekend

(The Center Square) – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency and law enforcement across the state will be increasing patrols and public awareness about boating under the influence around the Fourth of July extended weekend.

The annual Operation Dry Water campaign will be promoted by departments with enforcement related to alcohol and drug abuse for both operators and passengers, the departments said.

There will be more law enforcement on the water, leading to the removal of impaired boaters.

Operating a boat with a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher is illegal in Tennessee. Penalties may include fines, jail, boat impoundment and the loss of boat driving privileges.

“Boating under the influence is a 100 percent preventable crime that will not be tolerated by wildlife officers” Lt. Col. Matt Majors of TWRA’s Boating and Law Enforcement Division, said in a press release. “It is very selfish and irresponsible to endanger your life or the safety of others by consuming alcohol or drugs and operating a boat in Tennessee.”

TWRA is partnering with the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and Mothers Against Drunk Driving on Operation Dry Water.

Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths, TWRA said.