DEEP, Coast Guard to increase enforcement of boating under the influence laws
The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police and partner agencies announced Friday that they are ramping up enforcement efforts as part of a national crackdown on Boating Under the Influence.
Starting today through Sunday — the weekend just prior to the July 4th holiday — law enforcement in Connecticut and nationwide will show zero tolerance for BUI, DEEP said in a news release.
Boaters can expect to see an increase in the numbers of officers on the water and at recreational boating checkpoints.
Law enforcement officials aim to remove impaired operators from the waterways and secure a safe and enjoyable boating experience for those on the water, DEEP said.
The nationwide awareness and enforcement campaign, called Operation Dry Water, is a partnership of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and the Coast Guard, with a mission of putting an end to impaired boating.
The goal of Operation Dry Water is to raise awareness about the dangers of BUI and to reduce the number of accidents and deaths attributed to impaired boating, DEEP said.
“There will be a lot of boaters out enjoying the warmer weather and we want them to know we will be out making sure the water stays safe for everyone," said Col. Kyle Overturf, commander of DEEP's EnCon Police.
"Just as drinking and driving on the road is illegal and dangerous, we want to emphasize that drinking and boating is equally as dangerous," Overturf said. "It can also lead to equally severe consequences, including arrests, termination of voyage, serious injuries and even death."
Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths in the United States, DEEP said.
Whether a person is operating a car on the road, or a boat on the water, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is illegal and can lead to serious consequences for operators and passengers alike.
In Connecticut it is illegal to operate a vessel with a blood alcohol concentration level of 0.08 percent or higher — the same as it is to operate a vehicle.
Anyone found to be impaired and operating a boat will be arrested, DEEP said.
In Connecticut over the past 10 years, alcohol has been a factor in 43 percent of the fatalities caused by boating accidents — 26 of the 61 fatalities in the past decade.
The Connecticut State Police, Middletown Police and the Coast Guard Station New London are partnering with EnCon Police to conduct Operation Drywater in Connecticut.
For information, visit operationdrywater.org or ct.gov/deep.
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