The New York State Parks Marine Services Bureau is coordinating New York’s annual participation in the national Operation Dry Water campaign. This campaign involves law enforcement agencies statewide to educate boaters about the dangers of boating while under the influence of alcohol, marijuana and other drugs and removing impaired boaters from the waterways. This year, Operation Dry Water’s national weekend of amplified outreach and coordinated enforcement is July 1-3.
Alcohol use continues to be the leading factor in recreational boater deaths and a leading contributor in boating incidents. New York State Parks is asking boaters to enjoy this boating season and help keep everyone safe by not drinking alcohol while on the water or operating a boat after you have consumed alcohol. Use of both legal and illegal drugs also impairs judgment and reaction time and creates dangerous circumstances while boating.
Boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is against the law, just like driving under the influence, and it puts other boaters and bystanders at risk. The July 4th holiday is especially busy on New York’s waterways and while people are encouraged to get out and enjoy the outdoors with family and friends, safety is the top priority. DEC’s Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) will join local law enforcement partners again this year patrolling waterways and checking on boaters to ensure New Yorkers are following the law to protect themselves and others recreating in and around the water. He is hopeful the officers encounter zero BUIs.
New York also continues to phase in Brianna’s Law, which requires operators of motorized watercraft to complete a state-approved boating safety course. The law currently requires all motorboat operators born on or after Jan. 1, 1983, to have a boating safety certificate. Beginning in 2025, the law will be fully phased in, and a boating safety certificate will be required of all operators of motorized watercraft, regardless of age. Failure to comply carries a potential fine of between $100 to $250. Boaters can find a safe boating course by visiting The New York State Parks boating webpage parks.ny.gov/boating .
For more information about boating under the influence, visit operationdrywater.org. Operation Dry Water is coordinated nationally by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard.
