State and federal authorities say they plan extra patrols on the water around the July 4th holiday to make sure boaters aren't driving drunk or under the influence of drugs.
Rhode Island officials say they will also ensure that boaters comply with two laws that went into effect last year – one requiring kayakers to wear life jackets and another prohibiting boat passengers from dangling their legs off moving boats.
"As law enforcement, it is our job to do everything we can to ensure the safety of recreational boaters and paddlers," said Michael Schipritt, deputy chief of the state Department of Environmental Management's law enforcement division.
"Our goal is to not only educate boaters on the dangers of impaired boating, but also to remind them of other safe boating practices, such as enrolling in a boater education course and always wearing a life jacket," he said.
The DEM is partnering with the Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in the annual Operation Dry Water campaign to reduce the number of drug- and alcohol-related injuries and deaths on the water.
In Rhode Island, a handful of people have been charged with boating under the influence in recent years. Two cases are pending trial from fiscal 2024, two boaters were convicted of BUI from fiscal 2023, and one is awaiting trial from 2020, according to the DEM.
Increased patrols will operate Thursday through Saturday.
Rhode Island boaters who violate either of two laws that went into effect last year could face a $100 fine.
The first requires Coast Guard approved life jackets to be worn by all operators and passengers of kayaks, canoes, sailboards, paddleboards and any other paddle craft.
The other prohibits "anyone from riding on the bow of a powerboat unless it’s equipped with bow seats designed to accommodate passengers or from hanging their feet and legs over the top of the gunwale anywhere on the boat while underway," the DEM says.
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