June 11, 2026: As the sun rises over the Pacific, the Guam Police Department (GPD) stands ready, literally at the forefront of a national movement. While the rest of the United States remains tucked away in the evening hours of the previous day, Guam’s unique position across the International Date Line means its officers are the first in the nation to kick off the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators’ (NASBLA) Operation Dry Water (ODW) campaign.
Guam is officially represented within NASBLA through the GPD Recreational Boating Safety Program. Guam also has a designated Boating Law Administrator who works with NASBLA on boating policy, enforcement, and safety programs.
For years, GPD’s Special Enforcement Amphibious Section (SEAS) has spearheaded ODW, proving that safety knows no distance and that the mission to eliminate boating under the influence (BUI) reaches every corner of American soil. In Guam, the illegal blood alcohol concentration (BAC) limit for vessel operators is 0.08%. Alcohol remains a leading factor in boating deaths, affecting balance, judgment, and reaction time more severely on the water.
ODW is a year-round national awareness and enforcement campaign focused on reducing alcohol- and drug-related incidents on the water. Operation Dry Water places a strong emphasis on holiday weekends because impaired boating incidents rise sharply during those periods. While the campaign is a staple for law enforcement agencies across the continental United States, Guam’s participation serves as a powerful reminder of the program's expansive reach.
Where America’s Maritime Safety Begins
"Because we are where America’s day begins, the first patrol boats to hit the water for this national campaign are right here in Guam," SEAS leadership said. "It is a point of pride for our department to set the tempo for the rest of the country."
With Guam’s strong boating and fishing community, public safety on the water is especially important during holiday weekends and major community events. Increased patrols and public outreach efforts are intended to remind boaters to remain sober, wear life jackets and follow maritime safety laws.
“We try to deter people from boating under the influence. Operating a vessel under the influence puts everyone on the water at risk. We start by conducting random inspections and making sure there is proper safety equipment on board. If we detect that a boat captain is under the influence, then we take the necessary actions from there. In Guam’s waters, we have charter boats and fishermen. Fortunately, we do not generally encounter captains boating under the influence. Good decisions keep everyone afloat — boat dry, captain dry,” said Balbin.
A Partnership Built on Results: Guam Police Department & U.S. Coast Guard
The success of ODW is not a solo mission. It is the result of a seamless, long-standing collaboration between the Guam Police Department and the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Forces Micronesia/Sector Guam. This partnership serves as a force multiplier for maritime safety.
As a result of the 2025 operation, 36 vessels were boarded, eight additional boating contacts were made, seven warnings were issued for minor violations, two vessel voyages were terminated because of noncompliance with carriage requirements, and two individuals were counseled for diving without a dive flag. Although there were no BUI arrests or detections, GPD remains committed to keeping Guam’s waters safe and believes its proactive enforcement and outreach efforts serve as a strong deterrent.
By sharing intelligence, coordinating patrol grids and conducting joint boardings, GPD and the USCG help maintain a zero tolerance environment for impaired vessel operation. This collaborative effort has been instrumental in:
- Increasing boater contacts and educating local mariners about the dangers of “boater’s fatigue” combined with alcohol.
- Maintaining a highly visible deterrence presence at popular boating areas such as Apra Harbor and Tumon Bay.
- Ensuring a swift response capability so that, if an incident occurs, the closest asset — whether GPD or USCG — is ready to respond.
Bridging the Gap: 6,000 Miles of Commitment
Though Guam is separated from NASBLA headquarters by more than 6,000 miles of ocean, the mission and impact of ODW are felt deeply on its shores. NASBLA resources continue to support efforts to reduce boating incidents, injuries and fatalities through education campaigns, life jacket awareness, boating under the influence enforcement and safety regulations.
Over the years, the SEAS unit has evolved its tactics by utilizing national training standards to conduct field sobriety tests on the water and helping ensure Guam’s boating community remains among the safest in the region.
As GPD looks toward the July 2026 heightened enforcement weekend, the department remains committed to the Operation Dry Water mission. Whether you are a weekend fisherman or a commercial operator, the message is clear: keep the alcohol on shore and keep Guam’s waters safe.
#ODWBlog