The Marine Enforcement Section of the Oklahoma Highway Patrol will participate in Operation Dry Water along with boating enforcement officers nationwide in an effort to educate the public on the dangers of boating under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
The mission of Operation Dry Water is to raise public awareness about the dangers of boating under the influence and to reduce the number of deaths on the water related to alcohol consumption.
Oklahoma ranks 13th in the nation for alcohol related vessel collisions. Approximately 500 people die each year.
Every year local, state and federal law enforcement agencies and boating safety partners participate in Operation Dry Water a nationwide three-day heightened BUI enforcement weekend.
This year Operation Dry Water weekend is June 27 – 29. “Troopers will be out on the lakes and will be contacting boaters in an effort to keep the waterways safe in Oklahoma” said Captain Victor Lee of the Marine Enforcement Section. The law in Oklahoma states that the operator of a vessel can be arrested for operating under the influence if their breath or blood alcohol concentration is at or above .08%. Passengers can also be arrested for public intoxication if they have been drinking and are causing problems or being belligerent.
There is a 31 percent decrease from 2012 to 2013 in the number of deaths of recreational boaters where alcohol use was the known primary contributing factor. As the boating season gets underway Marine Enforcement officials will work on improving BUI statistics by educating boaters and instilling in them the dangers and consequences of boating under the influence.
For questions regarding boating laws or boating education classes, contact the Marine Enforcement Section at 405-522-1880.
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