The Coast Guard and Maryland Natural Resources Police will partner in an intensified nationwide effort in support of Operation Dry Water to detect intoxicated boaters and enforce Boating Under the Influence laws throughout Maryland Friday through Sunday.
Operation Dry Water raises the awareness of Boating Under the Influence consequences in order to reduce the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities through a partnership between the Coast Guard and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.
“Nationally, one in five boating deaths are directly caused by operating under the influence of alcohol,” said Capt. Mark O’Malley, the Captain of the Port of Baltimore. “That equates to between five and 15 people who are at risk of being injured or killed this year within Maryland state waters. That’s unacceptable. Standing shoulder-to-shoulder with the NRP, we’re going to get ahead of this problem this year,” he said.
Coast Guard Station St. Inigoes, Md., has partnered with NRP and will be increasing patrols on the water throughout the weekend. Additionally, Station Washington has partnered with D.C. Metro Police Department and will be increasing patrols on the water as well as handing out flyers at local marinas throughout this week.
“We will be out in force looking for boat operators who are operating a vessel while impaired by alcohol or drugs,” said Sgt. Art Windemuth, the public information officer for NRP. “Impaired boaters caught this weekend can expect penalties to be severe. In Maryland, they include one year in jail and a $1,000 fine for the first offense.”
Coast Guard 2007 statistics reveal that 21 percent of recreational boating accident deaths involved the use of alcohol.
More information is available at www.operationdrywater.org.