October 8, 2024: The 2024 Operation Dry Water (ODW) award winners were honored on Thursday, Sept. 19, during the NASBLA Annual Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana. Recipients of the ODW Officer of the Year, Regional Law Enforcement Award, and Media Award were recognized for their dedication to preventing boating under the influence (BUI) and supporting the Operation Dry Water campaign. The Operation Dry Water Awards Program highlights law enforcement officers and agencies that have made a positive impact on BUI enforcement and outreach in their communities.
The 2024 Operation Dry Water Officer of the Year is Officer Jacob Wild of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Over the 72-hour Operation Dry Water weekend, Officer Wild made three BUI arrests, including one where the impaired operator attempted to flee the scene of a boating incident. His swift action prevented further danger. Serving the Orange and Seminole County areas of Central Florida for over four years, Officer Wild is a founding member of the FWC Boating Under the Influence Task Force. His leadership in BUI enforcement and proactive approach to public safety have been instrumental in advancing boating safety across the state.
The 2024 Operation Dry Water Regional Law Enforcement Awards recognize exceptional regional achievements in boating under the influence detection, deterrence, and enforcement. These awards honor individuals, units, bureaus, divisions, or a combination thereof for their outstanding efforts during the Operation Dry Water heightened awareness and enforcement weekend.
This year’s Southern Region Law Enforcement Award was presented to the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (LDWF) Enforcement Division. During the three-day Operation Dry Water weekend, the LDWF Enforcement Division made 25 arrests for operating a vessel while intoxicated, involving individuals impaired by both alcohol and drugs. Agents conducted over 7,628 public contacts and issued 407 citations during the weekend, contributing to safer waters. Their proactive efforts also included a robust public awareness campaign featuring press releases, interviews, and social media outreach to emphasize the dangers of boating under the influence.
-1.jpeg "Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement")
The final Operation Dry Water award presented at the Annual Conference, the Operation Dry Water Media Award, went to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Division of Law Enforcement. Captain Rachel Bryant accepted the award, which recognized FWC’s comprehensive media campaign for the July 3, 2024, national media kick-off event in Destin, Florida. The campaign included digital billboards, radio broadcasts, and streaming video ads statewide. In partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard, Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office, Mothers Against Drunk Driving, and other organizations, FWC successfully raised awareness about boating safety and the dangers of impaired boating. Their outreach efforts—press releases, social media posts, and media engagement—made a significant impact on the Operation Dry Water campaign.
NASBLA extends its gratitude to all the award winners for their dedication to BUI detection and prevention. The continued efforts of our partners ensure boaters’ safety and contribute to the success of the Operation Dry Water campaign. Thank you to all the agencies and partners involved this year for helping prevent boating under the influence year-round.
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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- and drug-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. Operation Dry Water is produced under a grant from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard and is a product of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.