NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL
Contact: Melanie Rapp, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.
Operation Dry Water launched
to crack down on boating under the influence and save lives
LEWES (June 24, 2011) –At DNREC’s public boat ramp along scenic Broadkill River in Lewes, DNREC Secretary Collin O’Mara today announced the launch of Operation Dry Water - a weekend of enforcement and education aimed at preventing alcohol and drug-related accidents and fatalities along Delaware’s waterways.
Secretary O’Mara was joined by DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Saveikis, Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Chief Jim Graybeal and U.S. Coast Guard Station Chief Michael Kristiansen (Indian River) to announce stepped up efforts over the June 24th weekend to crack down on boating operators whose blood alcohol level exceeds the state and federal limit of 0.08 percent.
According to statistics released by the U.S. Coast Guard, alcohol use is a leading contributing factor to fatal boating accidents. Of the 4,604 boating accidents on the nation’s waterways last year, almost 20 percent were caused by alcohol or drug intoxication.
“Delaware’s majestic waterways attract countless boaters,” said Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control Secretary Collin O’Mara. “We want boaters to have safe and enjoyable experiences on our waterways, but drinking and boating don’t mix and can lead to accidents that put operators, their passengers and other boaters at risk. This weekend’s Operation Dry Water will increase visibility of Boating Under the Influence enforcement, reduce boating accidents, and help save lives.”
Recreational boating is a pastime enjoyed by thousands of Delawareans and visitors to our state– contributing more than $343 million a year to Delaware’s economy. According to the U.S. Recreational Boating Industry, Delaware was ranked 7th in the nation in 2010 for the total annual expenditures for new powerboats, motors, trailers and accessories.
More than 56,000 boats and watercraft are registered in Delaware. With 19 boating-related accidents in 2010, the state’s accident rate is well below the national average.
“Delaware consistently has one of the lowest boating accident rates in the country, and we want to keep it that way,” said Division of Fish and Wildlife Director David Saveikis.”During Operation Dry Water weekend our enforcement officers will be increasing patrols, checking boaters for intoxication, and providing information on the dangers of operating under the influence.”
Operation Dry Water is coordinated nationwide by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), in partnership with state marine enforcement agencies and the U.S. Coast Guard. Over the three day weekend last year, all 50 states and 6 U.S. Territories participated, resulting in more than 300 Boating Under the Influence arrests, 4,000 citations and 7,500 warnings issued for safety violations.
Division of Fish and Wildlife Chief of Enforcement Chief Jim Graybeal is the current national president of the NASBLA. “Again this year Delaware will be joining with the other 50 states in Operation Dry Water,” said Chief Graybeal. “During Operation Dry Water weekend and every day, if you are behind the helm and under the influence you will be arrested. We urge boat operators to stay sober, follow safe boating practices, and plan ahead to have a non-drinking designated boat operator aboard if alcohol is consumed.”
Just like driving a vehicle, operating a boat with a blood alcohol level of 0.08 percent or higher is against Delaware and federal laws. Boat operators at or above the limit will find their voyage terminated, will be arrested and may have their vessel impounded. Boat operators under the influence also can face fines and potential jail time.
New this year, DNREC enforcement officers will be using a new standardized field sobriety test that will be more effective at identifying intoxicated boaters. The test, which can be administered while the boat is afloat, will allow marine enforcement officers to test boaters in a seated position and apply a percentage of probability that the subject is impaired at 0.08 blood alcohol concentration or higher.
Despite dramatic increases in boating activity in Delaware, boating-related accidents and fatalities have decreased through the years. The decreases in fatalities are directly attributed to increased enforcement efforts, Delaware’s mandatory recreational boating safety education program, and the state law requiring children 12 and younger to wear a life jacket while in a vessel and underway in Delaware waters. Since the inception of the law, not a single child has died in a boating accident on Delaware waters as a result of drowning without a life jacket.
Under Delaware law, all persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1978 must successfully complete a boating safety course in order to operate a boat on Delaware waters.
“Since the Boating Safety program was established more than 30,000 individuals have been certified to operate a recreational vessel on Delaware’s waters,” said Sgt. Greg Rhodes of DNREC’s Office of Boating Safety. “An educated boater is a safe boater. People who have successfully taken our boating safety course have been less likely to be involved in a boating accident.”
Delaware’s Office of Boating Safety also provides volunteer instructors to private and non-profit organizations, schools, clubs and the public to educate boaters on skills and seamanship and encourage them to be safe, knowledgeable and responsive. Courses are offered free of charge, including materials and educational aids.
For more information on Fish and Wildlife Enforcement and Boating Safety, visit DNREC’s website, http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Pages/Enforcement.aspx.
Vol. 41, No. 238
