Coast Guard, NASBLA to enforce Operation Dry Water (FReeper Summer Safety)

DATE: June 25, 2009 16:09:40 EST

Document Number: 491

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Office of Public Affairs
U.S. Coast Guard

News Release	Date: June 25, 2009 Contact: Lt. Nadine Santiago (202) 372 - 4644

Coast Guard, NASBLA to enforce Operation Dry Water

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Coast Guard is partnering with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators to enforce a boating safety operation throughout the nation, June 26-28 with the goal of fostering a stronger and more visible deterrent to alcohol use on the water.

Operation Dry Water will focus on areas of recreational boating and increase patrols in 49 states and U.S. territories searching for boaters under the influence. Officers will conduct boating under the influence checkpoints and search for boat operators whose blood alcohol level exceeds the national limit of 0.08 percent. If an operator is determined to be boating under the influence, the Coast Guard will take the person into custody and turn them over to the appropriate state authorities for further prosecution.

Coast Guard statistics reveal that in 2007, 21 percent of deaths from recreational boating accidents involved the use of alcohol.

Additional information can be accessed at www.operationdrywater.org and http://www.uscgboating.org. You can also follow Operation Dry Water on Twitter at http://twitter.com/opdrywater and facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Operation-Dry-Water/93051813096?ref=ts.

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