June 30, 2022
Dan Keefe
(518) 486-1868 | news@parks.ny.gov
New York State Joins Operation Dry Water to Deter Boating Under the Influence
State Park Police and other law enforcement
agencies will be on heightened patrols July 4th weekend
As
boaters look forward to the 4th of
July holiday, thousands of law enforcement officers across the United States
will be on heightened alert for those violating boating under the influence
(BUI) laws. From July 2 – 4, New York State Park Police, the
State Department of Environmental Conservation, New York State Police,
the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
(NASBLA), the U.S. Coast Guard, along with other state and local
agencies will participate in Operation
Dry Water. Operation Dry Water is a year-round boating under
the influence awareness and enforcement campaign with a national weekend
intended for law enforcement agencies across the country to intensify efforts
on preventing incidents related to impaired boating and to educate boaters
about safe boating practices, including sober boating.
Alcohol
use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boater deaths. Over
the course of the July 4th holiday, law enforcement
agencies will work to increase public awareness of the dangers of boating
under the influence for both operators and passengers, and will be making
arrests under a zero tolerance approach.
"As
we kick-off the summer season, we expect increased boating traffic on the
waterways during the holiday weekend. While boating is a great recreational
activity, boating under the influence is both dangerous and illegal and can
lead to serious consequences including arrest, injuries and even death,"
said Park Police
Acting Assistant Director of Law Enforcement Michael Pavelock. "New
York State Park Police wants to ensure that boaters and anyone enjoying the
waterways have a safe place to spend their time. Park Police is proud to join
hundreds of agencies nationwide in Operation Dry Water to prevent incidents
and fatalities related to boating under the influence and help keep boaters
safe."
"For
the fourteenth year, officers will be on the water providing heightened
enforcement against boating while impaired," said Paul Littman, New York's Boating Law Administrator.
"This year's Operation Dry Water campaign is intended to heighten public
awareness and education over the Fourth of July weekend, July 2 - 4 – a
holiday known for drinking and boating, and deadly incidents."
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC)
Commissioner Basil Seggos said, "The July fourth holiday is
especially busy on New York waterways and while we want everyone to have an
enjoyable time with family and friends this weekend, safety is paramount. To
ensure everyone makes it off the water safely, it's absolutely critical that
boaters remember that it's against the law to operate a vessel under the
influence of alcohol or drugs. Our Environmental Conservation Police Officers
(ECO) will be out in force alongside their law enforcement partners to ensure
boaters are following the law for their own protection and for all others
recreating on or by the water."
New York State Police Superintendent Kevin P. Bruen said,
"While celebrating the July 4th weekend, we want to remind recreational
boaters to navigate our state's lakes, rivers, and canals safely and
responsibly. Boaters are encouraged to wear their life jackets, follow posted
speed limits, and to not operate vessels while under the influence of alcohol
or drugs. Together, with our law enforcement partners, and by boaters making
the right choices, we can prevent needless tragedies on our waterways."
Boating
while intoxicated or impaired by drugs is equally dangerous for the boat
operator and for the boat passenger. Operating a vessel under the
influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal on all bodies of water and can lead
to serious injuries, death and legal consequences. Penalties for BUI include
fines, jail, the impoundment of your boat and the loss of boating privileges.
In New York, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol content
(BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. New York State Park Police remind boaters to
always boat sober and to wear a life jacket when on or around the water.
Launched
in 2009, Operation Dry Water is an 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 and drug use on the water.
Last year, the effort involved more than 7,500 officers across the country,
resulting in about 115,000 vessel stops and more than 42,000 citations and
warnings, including 638 BUI arrests.
New
York also continues to phase in Brianna's Law, which requires all operators
of motorized watercraft to complete a state-approved boating safety course.
Adopted in 2019, the law currently requires all motorboat operators born on
or after Jan. 1, 1993 to have a boating safety certificate. Failure to comply
carries a potential fine of between $100 to $250.
Beginning
in 2022, that requirement extends to all boaters born on or after Jan. 1,
1988. In 2023, the requirement extends to those born on or after Jan. 1,
1983, and in 2024, extends to Jan. 1, 1978. The law will apply to all
operators regardless of age beginning in 2025.
State
safety courses can be taken in person or on-line. Information on course
availability can be found
here.
Visit
operationdrywater.org for
more information about boating under the influence.