COLORADO - As the summer heats up and more people get out on the state's waterways, boater safety and BUI enforcement are high priorities for Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
From July 5-7, the agency will be participating in the annual Operation Dry Water, a national effort to encourage safe boating practices on the water.
Even though Operation Dry Water is a year-round campaign, the three day enforcement is designed to educate boaters and reduce the number of accidents and deaths related to alcohol and drug use on the waterways.
Operation Dry Water's mission is to raise awareness among recreational boaters about the dangers and consequences of boating under the influence, which include:
- The federal BAC legal limit for operation a vessel under the influence is .08.
- Alcohol use can impair a boater's judgement, balance, vision, and reaction time.
- if you boat under the influence, you voyager man be terminated, the boat may be impounded and the operator may be arrested. Penalties vary by state, but can include fines, jail and loss of boating or even driving privileges.
- Sun, wind, noise, vibrations, and motion are stressors that are commong to the boating environment. The intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs, and some medication.
- Alcohol use can increase fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of cold water immersion.
- Alcohol is dangerous for passangers too. Intoxication can cause slips, falls overboard, and other dangerous accidents.
- If you boat under the influence of drugs and alcohol you are endangering your life and the lives of others.
Operation Dry Water will include increased patrols, breathalyzer tests, and checkpoints as well as boater education and outreach.
If you suspect a boater is under the influence, don't hesitate to contact authorities.
