CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WVDN) — As boating activity increases nationwide over the Fourth of July holiday, the West Virginia Division of Natural Resources’ Law Enforcement Section (WVDNR Police) is participating in Operation Dry Water, a national awareness campaign focused on educating boaters about the dangers of alcohol- and drug-impaired boating and promoting sober behavior for everyone on board.
The campaign, which is coordinated nationally by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) in partnership with the U.S. Coast Guard will take place July 3-5.
Alcohol remains the leading known contributing factor in recreational boating fatalities, impairing skills essential for safe boating such as judgment, balance, vision and reaction time. Through Operation Dry Water, WVDNR Police is raising awareness about how alcohol and drugs increase risk on the water, even in situations that may seem routine or familiar.
“Boating safety depends on everyone making responsible choices,” said WVDNR Police Capt. Warren Goodson. “Operation Dry Water helps boaters understand that alcohol affects more than just the person at the helm. Impairment anywhere on a boat can lead to dangerous situations, and staying sober helps protect everyone on the water.”
Throughout the Operation Dry Water weekend, WVDNR Police will support education and outreach efforts that encourage sober boating, life jacket use and heightened awareness of changing conditions on the water. These prevention-focused messages are intended to reduce risky behaviors that contribute to preventable incidents and fatalities.
Alcohol use by boat passengers and operators alike can also create hazardous situations on the water. Impaired balance, slowed reactions and distraction increase the risk of falls, ejections and other serious injuries. Operation Dry Water emphasizes shared responsibility, reinforcing that boating safety is a collective effort.
Ahead of the July 4 holiday, WVDNR Police urges boaters to recognize that alcohol and drugs have no place on the water and that sober behavior by everyone on board is essential to preventing injuries and fatalities.
Boaters born after Dec. 31, 1986, must complete a NASBLA-approved boating safety education course before operating a motorboat or personal watercraft on West Virginia waters. To learn more, visit WVdnr.gov/boater-education. For more information about Operation Dry Water, visit operationdrywater.org.
