Operation Dry Water (ODW) is proud to join boating safety
advocates nationwide as part of National Safe Boating Week,
May 18 - 24, to remind boat operators
and passengers of the dangers associated with boating under the
influence (BUI).
LEXINGTON, Kan.,
May 21,
2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- As part of National Safe
Boating Week, running from May 18 - 24,
2024, Operation Dry Water (ODW) is reminding boat operators
and passengers of the dangers associated with boating under the
influence (BUI). Taking place just before Memorial Day weekend,
National Safe Boating Week serves as a key reminder for boaters to
implement safe practices on the water.
"Recognizing that impaired boating is as
dangerous as impaired driving is vital. Together, we can prevent
incidents and save lives."
"National Safe Boating Week is an excellent opportunity for us
to come together as a boating community and emphasize the
importance of safe boating," said Curt
Lewis, NASBLA Chair. "By staying sober, always wearing a
life jacket, and completing a boating safety course before heading
out, boaters can significantly improve their safety on the water.
Recognizing that impaired boating is as dangerous as impaired
driving is vital. Together, we can prevent incidents and save
lives."
Operation Dry Water continues its dedicated efforts to combat
boating under the influence by raising awareness and supporting the
enforcement of BUI laws. Impaired boating remains a serious concern
as alcohol and drugs can severely impair a boater's judgment,
reaction time, and ability to operate a vessel safely. Alcohol use
is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating
fatalities.*
To address this issue, Operation Dry Water will conduct its 16th
annual heightened awareness and enforcement weekend from
July 4 - 6, 2024. During this time,
law enforcement agencies across the nation will increase their
presence on the water to deter impaired boating and ensure the
safety of all boaters. Local, state, and federal law enforcement
agencies are encouraged to register and participate at
operationdrywater.org.
Operation Dry Water provides a variety of free resources for
both law enforcement and outreach partners to use in educating
boaters about the dangers of boating under the influence. By
working together with boating safety advocates nationwide,
Operation Dry Water aims to reduce incidents and fatalities related
to impaired boating.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
(NASBLA) coordinates the Operation Dry Water campaign, in
partnership with law enforcement agencies and outreach partners
nationwide, through a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and
Boating Trust Fund administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
Operation Dry Water (ODW) is a year-round boating under the
influence awareness and enforcement campaign with the mission of
reducing the number of alcohol and drug-related incidents and
fatalities through increased recreational boater awareness and by
fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on
the water.
*2022 U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics.
Media Contact
Taylor Kirshe, National
Association of State Boating Law Administrators, 859.225.7376,
taylor@nasbla.org, https://www.nasbla.org/home
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SOURCE National Association of State Boating Law
Administrators