PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WTKR) - Law enforcement will be out in full force on the waters of Hampton Roads this weekend looking for boaters who are under the influence.
Operation Dry Water is a joint effort by the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, the U.S. Coast Guard, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators, state agencies as well as local police departments.
Alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational boating deaths in the United States.
“This year has been an especially tough year as we’ve already had 12 boating fatalities in Virginia,” Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries Acting Chief of Law Enforcement Clark Greene stated. “We want people to stay safe and have fun on the water, but drinking alcohol greatly increases the chance for accidents to occur. Officers will be out in force this weekend helping to keep people safe.”
"One of the myths about Boating Under the Influence is that boats are just toys and if people are out having a good time, well alcohol is part of that. Boating Under the Influence is just as socially unacceptable as Driving Under the Influence. We want people to have fun but we want them to have fun safely," Coast Guard Sector Hampton Roads Commander Captain Rick Wester told News 3's Todd Corillo Friday.
In Virginia, boaters whose blood alcohol content (BAC) exceeds .08 can be arrested for BUI.
Punishments for someone convicted of BUI can include a fine of up to $2,500 and up to a year in jail.
A boat operator convicted of BUI can also lose his or her privilege to operate a boat for one year on the first offense and up to three years for any subsequent conviction.
