NASHVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) will be participating in Operation Dry Water, July 5-7. This nationwide campaign hopes to promote awareness of the dangers related to boating under the influence (BUI) and reduce the number of fatal accidents on Tennessee waterways.
Operation Dry Water is held annually near the Fourth of July holiday, a peak season for boating. The TWRA will work closely with the U.S. Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) as part of the campaign.
Started in 2009, it has been highly successful in drawing public attention to the dangers of boating under the influence.
574 local, state, and federal agencies participated in 2018’s Operation Dry Water. They made contact with 201,888 boaters leading to 494 BUI arrests. TWRA reported nine BUI arrests from last year’s campaign.
TWRA officers will saturate high traffic areas on reservoirs across the state. The agency will intensify its efforts to detect and apprehend those operating watercraft under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
They asks boaters to be aware of the consequences of alcohol use, as well as the importance of life jackets and other safety practices.
Alcohol use is the leading factor in recreational boater deaths. Sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion intensify the effects of alcohol and drugs. This can include some prescription medications.
Operating a boat with a blood alcohol content of .08 percent or higher is illegal in Tennessee, the same as operating a motor vehicle. Penalties can include fines, jail, boat impoundment and the loss of boat driving privileges.
For more information on Operation Dry Water, visit www.operationdrywater.org.