Operation Dry Water launched

The Oregon Marine Board, sheriff’s offices across the state and the Oregon State Police will be participating in Operation Dry Water July 4-6.

The enforcement effort is part of a nationally coordinated effort to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities related to boating under the influence of intoxicants (BUII).

Leading factor

The U.S. Coast Guard’s nationwide statistics for 2023 noted alcohol use as the leading known contributing factor in boating accidents.

Boating under the influence of intoxicants means prescription drugs, alcohol, inhalants, marijuana, or any other substance that impairs a person’s ability to make sound judgments and safely operate a boat, according to Oregon Marine Board Boating Safety Program Manager Brian Paulsen.

“The effects of drugs and alcohol are amplified on the water, due to the combined impacts of environmental stressors like sun glare, wind, wave motion and other factors,” Paulsen said. “Alcohol also dehydrates the body, making sudden immersion into cold water an even greater risk for drowning.”

Impaired boaters face serious penalties

The consequences of a BUII conviction include possible jail time, a $6,250 fine and loss of boating privileges. Marine officers can legally obtain blood, breath or urine if a boater fails field sobriety tests.

“Recreational boating is a relatively safe activity when boating sober, wearing life jackets, and staying aware of the surroundings,” Paulsen said. So far this year, the common denominators for boating fatalities are operator inattention, not wearing a life jacket and operator inexperience.

If you see an impaired operator or someone who is operating in a way that threatens others’ safety, law enforcement agents encourage you to call 911 to report the incident.

Operation Dry Water

Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign. Operation Dry Water’s heightened awareness and enforcement takes place annually around the Fourth of July, a holiday known for drinking and boating, and deadly incidents.