[OSMB-News] News Release -Marine Enforcement of Boating Under the Influence Stepped Up this Weekend

[Ashley Massey]

For Immediate Release       Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Marine Enforcement of Boating Under the Influence Stepped Up this
Weekend
"Operation Dry Water" Part of a Nationwide Effort

Salem, OR -- Recreational boaters may want to think twice before
reaching for that cold beer this weekend.  Marine law enforcement
officers, as part of a national coordinated effort of stepped-up
enforcement known as Operation Dry Water, will be out in force looking
for boat operators who are drinking and boating.  Operation Dry Water
will include increased patrols and educating boaters about the
importance of boating sober.  

"We want people to be safe and have fun while recreational boating,"
says Dale Flowers, Law Enforcement Coordinator for the Marine Board. 
"But alcohol use has become the leading contributing factor in fatal
recreational boating accidents.  We recommend that boaters avoid
drinking alcoholic beverages at all times, or at least have a designated
driver.  In Oregon, .08% is the legal threshold, but boaters can still
be impaired at lower blood alcohol levels and arrested for blowing below
.08%.  It’s all about impairment and keeping the waterways safe for
everyone to enjoy,” Flowers adds.

Alcohol impairs a boater’s judgment, balance, vision, and reaction
time.  It also increases fatigue and susceptibility to the effects of
cold-water immersion.  Sun, wind, noise, vibration, and motion -
“stressors” common to the boating environment - intensify the
effects of alcohol, drugs, and some prescription medications.  United
States Coast Guard statistics reveal in 2007 that nearly 21% of all
boating fatalities were a result of alcohol use.

Impaired boaters caught this weekend can expect penalties to be severe.
 In Oregon, boaters arrested for boating under the influence of
intoxicants (BUII) can face up to 1 year in jail, $6,250 in fines, and
loss of boating privileges.  A conviction of BUII also works in concert
with DUII, and three convictions of either offense become a felony
crime.
"There will be arrests this weekend, and some boaters will face the
consequences of BUII," added Flowers.  "But we'd much rather arrest
someone than to have to tell their friends and family they're never
coming back."

Operation Dry Water is a joint program of the Oregon State Marine
Board, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators
(NASBLA), the U.S. Coast Guard, and local county marine patrols.  More
information is available at www.operationdrywater.org. and
www.boatoregon.com/OSMB/BoatLaws/OperationDryWater.shtml.

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Ashley A. Massey
Public Information Officer
Oregon State Marine Board
503-378-2623
503-378-8587 ext. 82623
ashley.massey at state.or.us

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