As we gear up for the quintessential American holiday, the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is mobilizing its forces once again for Operation Dry Water (ODW) this July 4th weekend, from July 4-6. Aiming to curb the surge of boating under the influence (BUI) incidents synonymous with increased holiday boating activity, the TWRA officers will be on the lookout for those flouting the law. Tennessee government officials announced that heightened patrols will accompany public education efforts, spotlighting the often underestimated dangers that alcohol and drugs present to boaters.
The statistics paint a stern picture, with alcohol use remaining the leading cause in recreational boating fatalities, and with Operation Dry Water's robust reputation since its 2009 inception by the NASBLA, the TWRA is committed to zero tolerance towards BUI; the combined efforts of all participating agencies have historically been effective in eradicating impaired operation on Tennessee's waterways.
"Driving a boat while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a preventable crime, and if found doing so by our wildlife officers, you will be arrested and taken to jail," Lt. Col Matt Majors of the TWRA Boating and Law Enforcement Division stated unequivocally. A clear parallel is drawn between BUI and driving under the influence on roads, stressing the same legal Blood Alcohol Content limit of .08 percent for both cars and boats, with similar penalties in place for violators.
For boating enthusiasts, it's critical to remember that boating conditions – like sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion – can amplify the effects of alcohol and drugs making the decision to consume while boating all the more precarious and penalties for BUI including fines, jail time, impoundment of boats and the suspension of boating privileges underscore the serious stance taken by the TWRA and its partners, which include the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). In short, this July 4th, if you're planning to take to the waters of Tennessee, do it sober or risk facing the full might of the law.
