AUGUSTA — The Maine Warden Service and outreach partners are teaming up for Operation Dry Water, a national awareness and enforcement campaign focused on educating boaters about boating under the influence and safe boating practices.
Game wardens will have an increased presence on Maine’s waterways during Operation Dry Water 2020, July 3 through 5, to help reduce the number of alcohol and drug related incidents and fatalities and foster a stronger, more visible deterrent to alcohol and drug use on the water.
Keep in mind the following guidelines:
* Boating under the influence is illegal. Operating a recreational vessel with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is against Maine law.
* Alcohol use is dangerous for passengers, too. Intoxicated passengers can easily slip, fall overboard or suffer other life-threatening incidents.
* Boating under the influence applies to drugs, as well as alcohol. Even some prescription medications can make operating a recreational vessel unsafe. Check with your doctor about the effects of any medications you may be taking.
* Sun, wind, noise, vibration and rocking of the boat are all “stressors” common to the boating environment. These stressors intensify the effects of alcohol, drugs and some medications.
Source: U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics 2018
