Law enforcement agencies throughout California will participate in Operation Dry Water to help prevent incidents of boating under the influence. Photo courtesy of Division of Boating and Waterways

SACRAMENTO, CA (MPG) - California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) is urging all boaters to boat sober this Fourth of July holiday weekend.

Division of Boating and Waterways and local law enforcement agencies are participating in Operation Dry Water from July 4 to July 6, a nationwide initiative to reduce boating under the influence (BUI) and to promote safe boating practices.

“Recreate responsibly: wear your life jacket, designate a sober operator and make safety the priority every time you’re on the water,” said Ramona Fernandez, deputy director of Division of Boating and Waterways. “Operating a boat under the influence is not only illegal, it’s dangerous. Protect lives by staying sober behind the helm.”

During the Operation Dry Water weekend, boaters can expect increased patrols and sobriety checkpoints on waterways, as well as outreach and education efforts, such as safety demonstrations and informational materials. There will also be collaboration with local marinas, boating clubs and community organizations to spread the message of sober boating.

Launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard and local, state and federal law enforcement agencies, Operation Dry Water has drawn public attention to the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

According to U.S. Coast Guard 2023 Recreational Boating Statistics, alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. Where the primary cause was known, it was listed as the leading factor in 17% of deaths.

The Operation Dry Water campaign goal is to educate boaters about the dangers of alcohol and drug use while operating a vessel to reduce the number of accidents and fatalities that occur as a result of boating under the influence.

Alcohol can impair a boater’s judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. It can also be dangerous for passengers. Intoxication can cause slips, falls overboard and other dangerous incidents.

In California, it is against the law to operate a boat or water ski with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or more. Officers can also arrest boaters with a blood alcohol concentration of less than 0.08 percent if conditions are deemed unsafe.

Officers from Contra Costa and Yolo County sheriff departments are among many agencies participating in Operation Dry Run. Right: An officer conducts a routine vessel stop. Photos courtesy of Division of Boating and Waterways

Boating under the influence convictions can result in up to six months in jail and/or fines of up to $1,000. Two convictions within seven years could add a jail term of up to one year. Boaters caught operating under the influence might also have their voyage terminated and their vessel impounded.

Participants in this year's Operation Dry Water in California include California State Parks' Auburn State Recreation Area (SRA) in El Dorado and Placer counties, Lake Oroville in Butte County, Lake Perris SRA in Riverside County, Silverwood Lake in San Bernardino County, and Pichaco (SRA) in Imperial County.

Additionally, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and several city police departments, including Blythe, Sacramento, South Lake Tahoe and Truckee, are participating.

County Sheriff Departments from Calaveras, Colusa, Contra Costa, Del Norte, El Dorado, Fresno, Glenn, Humboldt, Imperial, Los Angeles, Madera, Mariposa, Mono, Napa, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Joaquin, Shasta, Solano, Sonoma, Sutter, Tehama, Trinity, Tulare, Tuolumne, Yolo and Yuba counties are also involved.

To ensure safe boating, California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways urges boaters to wear a life jacket, take a safe boating course and get a California Boater Card, file a float plan in case of emergency, carry proper safety equipment and implement clean and green practices such as proper disposing of trash and utilize shore-side recycling stations.

Life jackets save lives. Make sure everyone on board is wearing a properly fitted, U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that is appropriate for the intended boating activity.

For more information on Operation Dry Water or boat safety practices, visit www.nasbla.org/operationdrywater/home or call 859-225-9487.