State wildlife officers will be ramping up their presence on North Carolina waterways this weekend in an effort to curb impaired boating.
North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Law Enforcement Division officers are participating in a national campaign known as Operation Dry Water July 4-6.
Supporter Spotlight
The campaign, developed through the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard, is designed to heighten enforcement and awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence.
“Boating under the influence continues to be a serious and preventable problem,” wildlife officer Lt. Forrest Orr said in a release. “Our goal is to create a safer environment for all recreational boaters, paddlers, and waterway users.”
The Independence Day holiday weekend is typically a busy one on North Carolina waters, which often equates to an increase in boating incidents and fatalities. And, alcohol use in the “leading known contributing factor” in boating deaths, according to the wildlife agency.
Similar to laws that pertain to the road, it is illegal to operate a recreational vessel with an alcohol concentration of .08 or higher, “or while being appreciably impaired by alcohol, drugs or other impairing substances,” according to the release.
State wildlife officers during last year’s campaign removed 37 people from the water who were boating while impaired.
Supporter Spotlight
Since January, 39 boating incidents have occurred in the state. Three of those were fatal. Last year, boating incidents in North Carolina resulted in 15 fatalities.
Boaters are reminded to operate their vessels sober and to wear a life jacket when on or around the water.
Additional information about the program is available on the agency’s boating safety webpage.
