Nevada City, CA – The Fourth of July holiday weekend is one of the busiest times of the year on the water, with millions of boaters across the United States taking to lakes, rivers, and coastal areas. This increased activity often leads to a rise in boating incidents and fatalities.1 To address this issue, the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office (NCSO), in partnership with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the U.S. Coast Guard, will participate again in Operation Dry Water, a nationwide awareness and enforcement campaign, from July 4-6.
As part of this campaign, NCSO will prioritize educating boaters about safe practices, emphasizing the importance of sober boating to help ensure a safer experience for all recreational boaters. Alcohol use remains the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities.2 Additionally, boaters will see an overall increase in lake patrols and a presence at docks. The top priority during this time is the safety of all boaters on the water, and any impaired boater or individual posing a danger to others will be promptly removed from the waterways.
“Boating under the influence continues to be a serious and preventable problem,” said Undersheriff Sam Brown. “Our goal is to create a safer environment for all recreational boaters, paddlers, and waterway users. The Sheriff’s Office regularly conducts boat patrol, but we will have an increased presence throughout the holiday weekend.”
Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs endangers everyone on the water.3 Operating a vessel while impaired is illegal on all bodies of water and can result in serious injuries, fatalities, and legal consequences. In California, it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or higher. NCSO reminds boaters to always boat sober and wear a life jacket when on or near the water.
Operation Dry Water is a year-round initiative dedicated to increasing awareness and enforcement of boating under the influence laws. The campaign aims to reduce alcohol- and drug-related boating incidents and fatalities by educating the public and increasing law enforcement visibility on the water.
Visit operationdrywater.org for more information about boating under the influence.