The ODNR Division of Parks and Watercraft is reaching out to its constituents and to the entire recreational boating community as part of the yearlong Operation Dry Water campaign to inform and educate boaters about the hazards and negative outcomes associated with boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
“Our goal is to educate boaters, not only about the laws regarding boating under the influence, but to help boaters understand the danger of boating impaired. Certain factors on the water such as wind, sun, noise, waves and chop against the boat all impair a boater’s judgement, balance, vision and reaction time on the water,” said ODNR Director James Zehringer. “At any given moment, there are individuals in the water, on paddle boards or in other boats that depend on boat operators to be alert and in control of their vessel. People’s lives depend on it.”
For Operation Dry Water weekend and the Fourth of July holiday, law enforcement and recreational boating safety staff will be out on the water educating boaters about safe boating practices and removing impaired operators from the water. ODNR supports these efforts to improve boating for all water sport enthusiasts.
The following are tips for staying safe on the water, along with statistics from the 2017 U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Statistics report:
- Boat sober: alcohol use is the leading contributing factor in recreational deaths, and alcohol and drug use impairs a boater's judgement, balance, vision and reaction time.
- Always wear a life jacket: a total of 84.5% of drowning victims weren't wearing a life jacket.
- Take a boating safety education course: A total of 81% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator didn't receive boating safety instructions.
Boaters can take the pledge to boat safe and sober, and can learn more about boating under the influence by visiting watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/soberboating. More information about boating under the influence can be found at operationdrywater.org.
For more information about ODNR, visit ohiodnr.gov.
Got a tip? Call our monitored 24-hour line, 937-259-2237, or send it to newsdesk@cmgohio.com.
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