Operation Dry Water begins Friday
Watching for impaired boaters
If you’re drinking while boating, don’t be over the limit, if you are, and are caught, it’s off to jail you go! That would put a real damper on your nice, long fourth of July weekend, wouldn’t it?
Along with the Water Patrol which will be out in force, probably 6 to 8 patrol boats out on the lake, you also have the DNR on the lookout for intoxicated boaters and they will arrest you too. Some of their boats you don’t even know they’re DNR until they’re right up on you, unlike the Water Patrol.
Here’s a little something you may not think about. When you’re out in the hot sun you dehydrate, consuming alcohol also dehydrates you, thus your alcoholic beverage will hit you harder, and you won’t notice it. Best idea, drink a water, a Gatorade, a Coke, something other than an adult beverage and you’ve got nothing to worry about.
From Fox 9:
DNR officials say they’ll have officers out across the state on lakes and rivers for Operation Dry Water. It’s a nationwide campaign from July 4-7 that highlights the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and then penalties of getting caught operating a watercraft while intoxicated.
Authorities say boating while intoxicated is the leading factor in boating accidents and fatalities both in Minnesota and across the country.
Seriously, if you’re impaired and cause a serious accident like we see every year, and yes, it can be you, and it’s 100% preventable, you could forever change a lot of lives not for the better by doing that one stupid thing. Could you live with yourself?
There is absolutely zero tolerance for impaired boating.
Eric Sullivan with the DNR had strong words for anyone who plans to be out on the water this weekend and using alcohol: Make sure you have a sober boat driver.
"We have zero tolerance for people who make the decision to boat under the influence, and people who get caught will go to jail," Sullivan said. "People who boat under the influence put themselves and everyone else on the water in danger. It’s a selfish decision that carries with it potentially disastrous consequences.”
Have a safe and sober fourth of July boating weekend, have fun and remember, other boaters will likely be intxicated, so pay attention to your surroundings and watch the boaters near you.