The Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) will be participating in Operation Dry Water this
weekend, as part of a nationally coordinated effort to reduce the number of accidents and deaths related
to boating under the influence (BUI) of drugs or alcohol.
"Consuming alcohol on a boat can have serious, and even deadly, consequences," said Gary
Obermiller, chief of the ODNR Division of Watercraft. "It is critical for drivers and passengers to
stay sober and stay safe at all times while boating."
The leading factor in boater deaths nationwide is alcohol use while boating. Operation Dry Water will
focus on increased patrols, breathalyzer tests and checkpoints as well as boater education about the
dangers of boating under the influence.
Last year during the three-day Operation Dry Water, ODNR Division of Watercraft officers contacted
boaters on 456 vessels and made 10 arrests for boating under the influence (BUI).
This year, Operation Dry Water starts today and goes through Sunday.
In Ohio, boaters whose blood alcohol content (BAC) level exceeds the state limit of 0.08 can expect to be
arrested for BUI and face other serious penalties, including fines, jail and loss of privileges to
register and to operate boats.
Operation Dry Water is a joint program of the ODNR Division of Watercraft, the National Association of
State Boating Law Administrators, the U.S. Coast Guard and local marine patrol officers.