Operation Dry Water Results Announced
2017 Heightened BUI Enforcement Weekend
(Nov. 7, 2017 – Lexington, KY) During the annual three-day heightened awareness and enforcement Operation Dry Water weekend, hundreds of local, state and federal law enforcement agencies made 518 boating under the influence arrests nationwide.
The Operation Dry Water campaign targets boating under the influence, through heightened awareness and enforcement. Annually, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard coordinates the saturation of thousands of officers who are on the lookout for boating under the influence law violations.
Agencies and campaign supporters also increase boater outreach leading up to the three-day weekend in an effort to educate all boaters about safe boating practices. This year’s Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement weekend took place June 30 – July 2, 2017 nationwide.
Over the course of the 2017 Operation Dry Water weekend: 
- 628 agencies participated.
- 7,150 officers were on patrol.
- 518 BUI arrests were made for both drugs and alcohol.
- 33,243 citations and safety warnings were issued.
- Officers made 243,853 boater contacts.
The significant law enforcement presence led to the removal of dangerous and impaired boaters from our nation’s waterways, fostering a safer and more enjoyable experience for recreational boaters.
The Operation Dry Water campaign coordinates on a national level, the saturation of thousands of law enforcement officers on the water just before the July Fourth holiday. The mission of Operation Dry Water (ODW) and those who participate is to remove impaired boaters from the water. Equally important is the goal of raising awareness throughout the year among recreational boaters about the dangers that come with the decision to operate a vessel while under the influence.
Since the launch of Operation Dry Water in 2009, the percentage of boating fatalities with alcohol use named as the primary contributing factor has decreased. However, alcohol use continues to be the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating deaths[1].
The 2018 Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement weekend will take place nationwide, June 29 – July 1, 2018.
###
About Operation Dry Water
Operation Dry Water (ODW) is a year-round boating under the influence awareness and enforcement campaign with the mission of reducing the number of alcohol-related accidents and fatalities through increased recreational boater awareness and by fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water. Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard. www.operationdrywater.org
About NASBLA
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. NASBLA’s mission is to strengthen the ability of the state and territorial boating authorities to reduce death, injury and property damage associated with recreational boating and ensure a safe, secure and enjoyable boating environment. www.nasbla.org
Media Contact
Hannah Helsby, NASBLA Communications Director | Hannah@nasbla.org
[1] 2016 U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics
