On June 26-28, 2009, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) will be participating in Operation Dry Water. Operation Dry Water is a nationally coordinated program to bring awareness about the dangerous use of alcohol in the boating environment. During this weekend, boating under the influence detection and enforcement will be a priority nation wide. This weekend is aimed at reducing the number of alcohol related accidents and fatalities. This campaign is organized by the National Association of State Boating Law Enforcement Administrators (NSBLA). The Maryland Natural Resources Police, the United States Coast Guard and local law enforcement agencies will be utilizing increase personnel to patrol during this Fri-Sun period. The Officers will be targeting high accident areas and areas where boating and alcohol have been a problem in the past. These patrols will take place in every part of the state from Deep Creek Lake in Garrett County, Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay in central Maryland, to the Coastal Bays and the Atlantic Oceans. Nationwide 21% of boating fatalities were the result of alcohol use. In Maryland, there were 222 alcohol related charges placed against boating operators, which is above the ten year average of 129 arrests. The Natural Resources Police would like to remind citizens that the sun, wind and the action of the waves and water causes fatigue to the boater. The use of alcohol during boating magnifies this fatigue and impairs judgment. The increase in fatigue and impaired judgment can lead to accidents and death. The Natural Resources Police would remind boaters to boat safe, boat smart ….boat sober!
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